Archival 5×7” giclée print on hot press cotton paper.

This stunning patch of fireweed was growing along the West Maroon Pass trail near Crested Butte. When I hiked here in August 2025, most of the wildflowers below 10,000ft had gone to seed, but the fireweed was in full bloom.

Fireweed signals the transition from summer to fall. It’s named for its ability to quickly spread in areas disturbed by wildfire, making it a symbol of new beginnings and resilience after devastation. I’ve never seen so much in one place before!