Our ascent into the Rockies began with a vista of smooth rolling hills. These were dotted with hearty evergreens and powdered with a light covering of snow. Before long, however, this tranquil scene eroded into a more raw and rugged environment.

As the Rockies attempted to push themselves out of the Earth's crust, exposed rock became a primary feature. It extruded up from the ground at a roughly 45-degree angle, displaying its determination to creep skyward.

Having been there for some time, the stones revealed the effects of the elements. Most surfaces had been fractured and rounded from countless encounters with wind and water. And where nature had provided a big enough crack, pine trees had taken hold.