This painting hangs in Alpine Bank, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. You’re looking at Haggerman Peak and Snowmass Lake, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, near Aspen, Colorado.

I used to be a GS-4 Wilderness Ranger at Snowmass Lake. I would backpack up to the lake and camp there for 4 nights as part of my patrol. My campsite was in a “secret” location about 200 feet from the viewpoint of this artist.

I used to make pudding, and keep it cold in the creek right over where that tree stump is on the left side.

The stories of my summer at Snowmass Lake would amuse, stun, and chill you to the bone.

I had the pleasure of camping there with my wife, Marti, several years after working there. I caught the biggest fish of my life on that trip, and surprised Marti when she woke up to a frying pan 2 feet from her head, and a monster trout hanging out both ends of the pan.

If you ever get to Snowmass Lake and see this view, you’ll know why I think it’s the most beautiful place in Colorado.