Sixteen miles for a photo? Behind the lens with Erik Stensland

Join me on my first backcountry photography outing of the summer as I head up into the mountains on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll experience the solitude to be found on this evening hike, encountering beautiful views, very wet and sometimes snowy trails, and a gorgeous sunset at a remote mountain lake.
LEARN ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK:
🌲Learn everything you want to know about Rocky Mountain National Park at my website: www.RockyMountainNationalPark...
🥾Get a copy of my highly acclaimed hiking guide: "Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park: The Essential Guide". www.rockytrailpress.com/produ...
🏔 Prepare for high elevation: • 5 keys for staying hea...
ABOUT ME:
📸 My photos of Rocky Mountain National Park can be found at: www.ImagesofRMNP.com
📖 All of my books, calendars and notecards can be found at: www.RockyTrailPress.com
🌐 My personal website is: www.ErikStensland.com
🎨 My gallery in Estes Park is located at: 203 Park Lane. For times and details visit: www.imagesofrmnp.com/page/Est...
📺 I have just launched a second KZbin channel. You can find it at: / @divebeneaththesurface
NOTES:
🎥 All filming in Rocky Mountain National Park was done with a commercial filming license obtained through the National Park Service.

[@wendytobiska4465]

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to travel with you to these gorgeous places. So appreciate you for making these videos! Can't wait for the next one! ❤

[@ErikStensland]

My pleasure Wendy!!

[@robiness6019]

Thank you for taking us with you again, my family and I really enjoy these videos!

[@ErikStensland]

I'm so glad! Thanks for your support!

[@nancyc3431]

Thank you for taking us on this adventure! The images you captured are beautiful!

[@ErikStensland]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@art_only]

Thank you for sharing and taking the extra time to film

[@ErikStensland]

You are welcome. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@BillyHatfield-wu3pm]

Great video of your adventure in the backcountry. Beautiful photos! Glad we could tag along.

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Billy! I sure appreciate your constant encouragement!

[@bldavis11]

Another great video! Thanks for taking us out with you again. I definately appreciate the time it takes to put these together.

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@user-zi6hz1pw1h]

Thanks for taking us on the journey, Erik. It means a lot to me. Your sentiments about how you feel in RMNP echo my own. Having just been there last week I agree that June is a great time to visit Rocky!

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks! I think that many of us feel that same way about this special place.

[@LarryManiccia]

Good stuff Erik! Wonderful images. Such a blessing to have the location all to yourself at sunset. Makes it worth the long hike.

[@ErikStensland]

Couldn't agree more! That's usually the way I do things. I usually have these places to myself either by arriving very early or very late in the day. :)

[@PaulBeiser]

Great video, appreciate you showing us your enthusiasm and love of RMNP, along with your fast hiking pace with that heavy pack. 😉🤣 Very cool to see you work and what cool images you got, grand landscapes and the intimate landscapes. Thanks!

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Paul! I do love this place. Hope you guys are well!

[@matthewsantomarco2714]

Love all the videos! Awesome to see you behind the scenes with your YT channel

[@ErikStensland]

More to come!

[@gregroberts875]

I love your photography. Thanks for taking us along with you on the hike. I’m planning a photography trip out there the last week of September. Can’t wait to get back out there. I really enjoy all of your videos. Thanks for sharing!!

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Greg. I really appreciate it. Late September is a beautiful time to come!

[@ahighlandgirl]

So worth it!

[@ErikStensland]

Thank you! :)

[@AdamShakeSocialMedia]

Wonderful, thank you Erik.

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Adam.

[@djdadbod]

Amazing photography

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@keithillg7902]

Thank you for sharing these hikes. They definitely inspire me to get out on the trails even more with my camera gear. I've been looking into getting hiking poles for a while, any pointers for what to look for?

[@ErikStensland]

Hiking poles are great for the knees and actually increase my speed quite a bit, though it takes a while to become really comfortable hiking with them. I prefer the poles that are just two sections as they are more sturdy, though the poles with three or more sections collapse down further. I've also found that I hate the twist lock poles as they tend to break more easily. Hope that helps.

[@keithillg7902]

@@ErikStensland That is a big help. My knees have also been an increasingly annoying issue. Thank you!

[@ErikStensland]

I had to move to poles about 17 years ago due to knee issues. I thought I would have to quit hiking, but they saved my knees from the abuse, especially from the impact when hiking down the trails. Hope they help you!

[@bigjimslade6250]

We enjoyed the video. We plan to stop in & visit in July. We have hiked the trails around Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake & Lake Haiyaha & Alberta Falls. We are curious as to the name of the lake that was your destination?

[@ErikStensland]

There are so many great trails to explore, over 300 miles of trail in Rocky. The reason I didn't list the name of this lake is that it is off-trail and I have an agreement with the National Park Service not to share specific locations of off-trail areas where I photograph in order to protect them from increases in traffic.