Maroon Bells, Aspen: Keeping Maroon Lake Wild Behind the lens with Doreen McGunagle

At first light, Maroon Lake becomes a perfect mirror—golden aspens shimmering beneath the rugged faces of the Maroon Bells. This beauty is more than a view; it’s a living system where riparian plants hold the shoreline together, aspens shelter birds and elk, and clean water supports a web of life from aquatic insects to osprey. At Doreen McGunagle Fine Art, our images celebrate this place—and invite stewardship.

Why this shoreline is sensitive

• Aspen groves are one organism. A single clonal root system supports many trunks; trampling can damage shared roots.

• Riparian plants = natural filters. They stabilize soils and keep sediment out of the lake.

• Wildlife depends on calm, intact edges. Disturbance and noise push animals away from essential habitat.

Pressures on a fragile mirror

Heavy visitation can compact soils, carve “social trails,” and introduce litter and pet waste. Off-leash dogs stress wildlife, and drones fracture the quiet of designated wilderness. Climate variability adds more pressure with shifting snowmelt and stream flows.

Simple trail habits that protect Maroon Lake

1. Stay on established paths and overlooks. Avoid stepping onto shoreline plants.

2. Keep dogs leashed and pack out pet waste. Clean water starts at the edge.

3. Carry out all trash and microtrash. Caps, wrappers, and fishing line count.

4. Leave what you find. No picking flowers or building cairns.

5. Skip the drone. Natural sound and solitude are part of wilderness values.

6. Plan ahead. Check official guidance for seasonal closures and access updates.

Ethical photography at Maroon Bells

• Use durable surfaces for your setup. Rock, trail, or boardwalk—never vegetation.

• Let reach replace intrusion. Longer lenses and thoughtful framing beat stepping into plants.

• No staging or handling. Don’t move branches, rearrange rocks, or touch flora.

• Respect wildlife distance. If behavior changes, you’re too close.

• Share the “why.” Use captions to model conservation practices.

Art as a bridge to stewardship

Fine art can carry the feeling of a place—and remind us to protect it. Our Maroon Bells work is created with the light and limits the landscape allows, so the mirror stays bright for the next visitor.

Watch the Behind-the-Lens episode

Join the effort

🖼 Fine Art Prints: https://www.doreenmcgunagle.com/
💚 A portion of all proceeds supports Global Voices for Nature Foundation Inc.
Come be part of our conservation efforts—for our precious wildlife and our national treasures.