Framed by Time | Mountain Fine Art Photography

Framed by Time: A Ghost Town, A Mountain, and A Journey I’ll Never Forget
Sometimes photography takes you places you never expected — physically, emotionally, and creatively. This image, which I’ve titled Framed by Time, is one of the most unique photographs I’ve ever captured. And the story behind it? One I’ll never forget.

This past spring, I found myself deep in the mountains of Colorado, not far from Telluride. Tucked away in the rugged terrain sits a forgotten silver mining town — now a true ghost town. Most of the original buildings are long gone, but a few remnants still stand. One structure in particular caught my eye: a single wall, still upright against time and weather, with three wooden windows.

As I walked closer, I noticed something incredible. Through the third window — the one on the far right — the view was perfect. A snow-covered peak, majestic and distant, was framed with such symmetry and grace that it felt like nature itself had staged the composition for me.

But reaching that location was no simple task.

Coming from near Pittsburgh, I’m no stranger to hills and valleys — but this was something else entirely. The road to the ghost town was narrow, icy, and brutally rough. A 4x4 Jeep was absolutely necessary. Over just a mile and a half to two miles, I climbed nearly 2,000 feet in elevation through snow, ice, and rocks. There were no guardrails — just steep drop-offs and adrenaline.

For people who go off-roading all the time, it might be just another day. But for me, it was one of the most nerve-wracking drives of my life. White-knuckled and wide-eyed, I pushed through. It took me nearly two hours round-trip, not because of the distance, but because of how intense the terrain was.

When I finally reached the top and saw the view through that window, it all made sense.

I took three photos. Just three. I went back to my car to grab my video gear, and by the time I returned, the view had vanished. Clouds rolled in, and the mountain disappeared completely. The moment was gone — but I had captured it.