Erik Stensland Photography

06/17/2026

The other night I was up at tree line about six miles from the nearest trailhead and had the chance to witness this beautiful light 15-20 minutes after sunset. No matter what is happening, the warm light of the sun continues to shine, bringing hope and beauty even into the dark clouds above us.

06/12/2026

My latest hiking video is now out. Join me on a quiet hike in Wild Basin to one of the best beaches in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Discover a quiet, often overlooked hike in Rocky Mountain National ...

06/11/2026

(View this full-size.) - Yesterday morning at sunrise, there was wind-blown rain falling over the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park which was illuminated by the rising sun. This scene didn't last long, but wow it was sure dramatic.

A big part of nature photography is being out often enough at the right times of day to witness these fleeting moments of wonder. Such experiences of awe remind me of the goodness of the world and at the same time seem to orient my inner being towards a recognition that beyond all of the chaos there is deep purpose and meaning behind it all, gently whispering for our attention.

06/10/2026

This morning I was out in Rocky Mountain National Park as a storm was passing through. For a brief moment the sun found a crack and illuminated Longs Peak, showing that it had received a fresh dusting of snow in the night. Be sure and open this image to full size to really see it.

06/09/2026

View this image at full size. - This morning there was a thick haze in the low valleys of the park and clouds over the eastern plains. I drove up Trail Ridge Road to Rainbow Curve where I could get above it and made a few photos like this that show the layers of hills stretching into the horizon. Haze with side-lighting really brings out all of the different layers of hills that can be seen from this vantage point. Up above in the tundra it was clear blue skies with very little haze.

06/08/2026

I've always loved this view of the spires on Flattop Mountain peeking over the trees. I've photographed this scene again and again since I first arrived in Rocky in 2004. It never gets old. Have you ever noticed this view when hiking up to Emerald Lake?

06/05/2026

Here's my lastest video on Rocky Mountain National Park in which I take you up Trail Ridge Road to show you what conditions are like and also to give you my prediction for this summer season.

Trail Ridge Road just opened in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I...

06/03/2026

Last week we had an evening of rain followed by a morning with fog in the Endovalley of Rocky Mountain National Park. I went out and enjoyed the beauty of that peaceful morning. All the aspen trees had such fresh bright green leaves. It was delightful.

06/02/2026

Here's a view from Rocky Mountain National Park that many of you should recognize. I made this photo yesterday morning. Who can tell me where this was taken and which mountain this is?

It was fun to be there and hear people begin to arrive with their exclamations of awe and wonder at these mountains towering over the perfectly still lake.

ANSWER: Most of you got it right. This is Flattop Mountain towering over Emerald Lake.

05/29/2026

I know that a lot of people do not like Rocky Mountain National Park’s timed-entry reservation system. I know it is a hassle, as I have to jump through those same hoops myself, but we really need it and I am grateful for it. This year, the administration put pressure on many national parks to remove their timed-entry systems and several parks did remove them.

This week, which is the start of the summer season, we saw what happened without these systems at Yosemite National Park. It did not make for a better visitor experience or do anything to help protect this special place, in fact without the timed-entry system the park was completely overwhelmed. This is what we would have at Rocky if we removed the timed-entry system. It would quickly revert to the chaos we had in the years before the system was put in place. So although it is a hassle, it makes for a much better experience for all of us and helps protect this place we all love.

Have you been to Yosemite recently after it ended its reservation s...