Early one autumn morning I set out to explore the upper reaches of Glacier Gorge in Rocky Mountain National Park. This north-south running valley remains in deep shadows until the sun rises above the glacial ridges to the east. On this particular morning it was well below freezing as I hiked through the dense forests along Glacier Creek, and I was beginning to wonder if the sun would ever reach these depths of the valley. As I entered a small meadow, however, the forest opened up and I was presented with this magnificent view of sunlit McHenrys Peak. This sight provided me with the encouragement I needed to continue on up the path and eventually into the warming rays of the sun.