Clouds and Beyond: The unbelievable Skies over Westcliffe in Colorado

No doubt, Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Valley of Colorado are simply magical. Whether day or night, no other place can match these spectacular skies with its crazy, awe-inspiring cloud formations or the brilliance of the star-studded night sky, when the Milky Way moves across the vast valley. Absolutely breathtaking. Flanked to the West by the towering 14,000 ft.-peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and to the East by the formidable Wet Mountain range, this unusual valley even creates its own weather systems: Conditions can change rapidly from mellow sunshine to massive storms, rolling through the valley with thunder and lightning, even dumping snow in the middle of summer. Untamed Nature at its best!
Award-winning Photographer and Filmmaker Christoph Stopka (a resident of Westcliffe) has been capturing the magic of the Wet Mountain Valley for years. In this highly acclaimed Short Film "Clouds and Beyond" (which has been featured very successfully at international Film Festivals such as The Ridgway Film Festival) he takes the viewer on a fascinating visual journey into the billowing clouds, constantly forming and changing over the valley and the mountains while getting charged up, until the inside of these vapor wonders explodes with a powerful display of lightning. But in addition to the truly fantastic cloudscapes, this film takes the viewer "beyond" - by taking him/her along into the night, the dark, yet captivatingly sparkling world of Westcliffe's night sky. Experience the rise of the Milky Way and watch the world spinning around the North Star. And you too will be mesmerized by the magical, enchanted skies of Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Valley.
Lean back, relax and enjoy this almost meditative ride through the skies!

[@JeffSikes]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@Jim_Mundy]

Wow. Gorgeous. A trip to Westcliffe is on my bucket list.

[@angelahaakensen4657]

Thank you...that was mesmerizing...and wo derful!😁

[@kwoodman872]

We just moved to Westcliffe a few months ago. And now that we have a chance to watch the sky here everyday - Wow! Especially the clouds around the mountains and Crestones. And the sky is beautiful at night too.

[@ACR-iu4sk]

If you still read these comments, thank you so much for this video. Beautifully shot and seamlessly edited. Not to mention the skies themselves. Incredulous, really. My wife and I are empty-nesters and moving to Westcliffe in 2024. We can't wait to become part of that beautiful, mountain community.

[@phaedruscj3330]

Amazing photography. Thank you

[@thelonewolf2288]

Excellent video Christoph ! I'll never forget that stunning cloud formation. It was truly ominous ! The first thing I thought of was the movie 'Independence Day', when the massive craft appeared out of a cloud very similar to that cloud over The Wet Mountains here in Westcliffe. Staggering image.

[@rebeccaduncan6805]

This was a great representation of the beautiful sky in westcliffe and surrounding areas! I distinctly remember that super cell! It was awesome. We got in the side by side and followed it for sometime! Just beautiful!

[@samrichardson2641]

Nice

[@christophstopka4285]

Thank you, Sam! Glad you like the video.

[@enjoylife-7408]

I was shocked! This is the most wonderful combination of light and shadow I have ever seen. Attracted by your video, I will look for the beautiful scenery in your video in this July!

[@christophstopka4285]

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! Much appreciated. And it sounds like you are planning on coming here for a visit? If you need any tips or help with your visit, please, don’t hesitate to contact me at [e-mail] or through KZbin.

[@LWolfe-ws3zm]

I live here too and it is just awesome how you are able to catch the magnificent sky colors, clouds and all. Wonderful!!!❤

[@christophstopka4285]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you like the video.

[@LWolfe-ws3zm]

@@christophstopka4285 I truly love ❤ all your videos. I share with all my friends and out of state family. Just so they can see what we see and talk about here in Custer County.

[@christophstopka4285]

Wow, L., that’s really great! Thank you so much for sharing my videos. Naturally, when you put a lot of work (including at night and during thunderstorms …😉) into a project like “Clouds and Beyond”, one can only hope that people who are so appreciative like you will watch it in the end. Again: Thank you very much and keep sharing!

[@patsybenveniste7515]

I can vouch for the truth and beauty of these images….

[@christophstopka4285]

Glad you liked the video! Thank you for the kind comments. Christoph

[@platinumoregon1148]

More Great Pics !!

[@christophstopka4285]

Thanks again! Feel free to pass the link on.