Leadville Colorado Wall Art Prints – Fine Art Photography

Rob Hammer March 26, 2025

Leadville, Colorado Wall Art

Photographs of The Two Mile High City

Sitting at 10,151 ft above sea level, Leadville is one of Colorado’s more unique towns, and that’s saying a lot for a state with such incredible mountain culture. Not a big place but it’s still racked up a number of nicknames over the years: The Two Mile High City, Oro City, Cloud City, and Slab Town. That alone provides a great hint into Leadville’s rich mining history that began in 1859 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, and that hunt for gold, silver, and lead continued for 130 years. Visiting the small town today, you can still feel what Leadville once was, and that’s a lot of the draw. Only 2 hours from Denver, but it feels a world away, with unprecendented views of the surrounding mountains and no crowds. The architecture is gorgeous and well preserved in a lot of cases like the Delaware Hotel which first opened in 1886. Of course the local jewel is the Silver Dollar Saloon. You’d be hard pressed to find another like it anywhere in the country. Inside you can feel the years (established 1879), and that feeling only gets better once you learn more about it’s history with noted regulars like Doc Holiday! The most surprising part of Leadville is the fact that it has delicious food! I’d recommend checking out The Silver Llama Market and Eatery for breakfast and Treeline Kitchen for dinner. They are conveniently located right next to each other and Treeline has a great rooftop patio that’s open in the warmer months. Mineral 1886 also has good food for lunch and dinner.

Historic Buildings and Local Flavor

Walking through the neighborhoods is always fun because you’ll get a feel for daily life, and Leadville has some colorful houses that are intricately shingled. If you are looking for more of a workout, the Mineral Belt Trail (12 miles) can provide year round recreation with top notch views of the mountains and will take you up close to some of the old mining claims. Walking, running, and biking in the summer. Fat biking and cross country skiing in the winter. There is a nordic center just outside of Tennessee Pass and endless access to backcountry skiing/snowboarding from all routes in/out of town. And If there’s any reason this little hideaway would sound familiar, that’s because it’s home to one of the hardest mountain bike races in the country - The Leadville 100! That and Melanzana, which is supposedly on a year waitlist for hooded sweatshirts. Perhaps the most redeeming quality about their main drag though, is you won’t see a single chain restaurant or business. They are all locally owned and there is no mistaking that fact! Leadville is a gem of a place that you hope will retain it’s small town charm for decades to come. If you’re looking for a fun getaway with resort crowds, check out Leadville for a couple nights.

Get Your Leadville Print

If you’d like to have a little piece of Leadville to remember your trip and brighten your walls with Colorado culture, contact me directly about photography prints and custom framing options for your home, office, or commercials space. These photographs are also available for editorial and commercial licensing.

Contact Rob

Photography print of downtown Leadville, Colorado — Leadville, Colorado Wall Art

Photograph of the Golden Burro Cafe in Leadville, Colorado — The Golden Burro Cafe - Leadville

Photography print of the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, Colorado — Black and white photograph of the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, CO

Black and white photograph of the bar inside the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, Colorado — Photograph of the bar inside the Silver Dollar Saloon

Photograph of High Mountain Pies Pizzeria in Leadville, Colorado — High Mountain Pies - Leadville, CO

Photograph of an American Flag hanging in the window of a house with colorful shingles and a ski fence in Leadville, CO — Colorful house in Leadville, CO

Photo print of the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, CO — Leadville Saloon

Photograph of bar stools and the old tile floor in the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, CO — Tile floor in the Leadville Saloon

Photograph of the interior of the saloon in Leadville, CO — Pool table and taxidermy inside the Silver Dollar Saloon - Leadville, CO

Hand painted beer sign on an old brick building in Leadville, CO — Beer - Leadville, CO

Chasing Trout and Capturing Moments: Fly Fishing the Big Thompson River

Rob Hammer November 9, 2024

Big Thompson River Fly Fishing Photograph

A Real Day on the Big T

The Big Thompson River has always felt like one of Colorado’s more underrated fisheries - quiet, accessible, and full of character. On this particular fall day, I was out on the water with a couple guides from Front Range Anglers - John Brown and Charlie Schaeffer, documenting what turned into a textbook session of Euro-nymphing. No setups, no staging, just real moments of passionate fly fisherman doing what they do best.

The river was clear and low, which made for sharp visuals and technical fishing. Golden leaves clung to the canyon walls, and every part of the vibe was a reminder of why people fall in love with fall fly fishing in Colorado.

Focused on the Details That Matter

I approach fly fishing photography the same way I approach a day on the water, with attention to the subtle things. The angle of the line during a drift, the tension in a cast, the texture of the rocks beneath the current. These photographs aren’t meant to glamorize the experience, but to reflect it honestly.

There’s a quiet rhythm to these canyon rivers, especially in the fall. That atmosphere - still, alert, and full of potential is what I try to capture in the frame. Whether it's the guide moving downstream with intent, or the landscape holding everything together in the background, the goal is always the same: make something that feels like what it was really like to be there.

H2: These Images Are Available for Licensing

If you’re working on a story or campaign that needs authentic fly fishing photography, something that shows real anglers in real environments - these images from the Big Thompson River are available for licensing. They’re a good fit for editorial features, conservation messaging, brand content, or anything that values credibility over cliché.

Get in touch - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Click here to view more of my fly fishing photography that is available for licensing

Click here to view my photo essay on Colorado fly fishing artist Martin Gerdin

Black and white photograph of fly fisherman on the Big Thompson River — Colorado Fly Fishing Photography

Photograph of fly fisherman and guide on the Big Thompson River — Fly fishing guides on the Big Thompson River

Colorado fly fishing photo for licensing — Fly Fishing in fall color in Colorado

Fly fishing in fall foliage — Fly fisherman walking through fall colors in Colorado

Black and white photo of a fly fisherman in Big Thompson Canyon — Fly fishing a canyon section of the Big Thompson River

Photograph of trout jumping out of the Big Thompson River — Rainbow trout jumping out of the river

Fly fishing photograph for licensing — Netting a Rainbow Trout on the Big Thompson River

Black and white portrait of a fly fishing guide — John Brown of Front Range Anglers having a laugh during a day on the river

Black and white photo of two fly fisherman walking up a river - available for licensing — Fly fishing guides from Front Range Anglers

Photograph of a fly fisherman and guide walking up a river in beautiful light — Looking for trout on the Big Thompson River

Photograph of a tree growing out of a rock along the Big Thompson River — Tree roots growing out of a rock

Photograph of a fly fisherman netting a large trout in a rugged setting on a river in Colorado — Charlie Schaefer netting a trout on the Big Thompson River outside Loveland, Colorado

Photograph of a fly fisherman holding a trophy trout on the Big Thompson River — A beautiful Rainbow Trout

Two fly fisherman walking through fall foliage on the Big Thompson River in Colorado — Fall colors in the river in Colorado

Black and white photograph of a fly fisherman holding a rod and reel on the river — Hardy fly rod and reel

Black and white photograph of a fly fishing guide in Colorado available for licensing — One handed

Photograph of a large trout in a net caught by a fly fisherman — Netting a large Rainbow Trout

A fly fisherman smiles while holding a trophy Rainbow trout — Trophy Trout - Colorado

Fly fisherman on the Big Thompson River in Colorado - Black and White Photography — Big Thompson River Fly Fishing

Close-up photograph of a fly fisherman's arm setting the hook on a trout — Setting the hook

Photograph of a Boulder, CO fly fishing guide on the Big Thompson River — A proper bend in the rod

Close-up photograph of a fly fisherman's hand holding a trophy rainbow trout — Won’t forget this one

Photograph of a Colorado fishing guide available for licensing — Charlie Schaefer - Front Range Anglers

Photograph of a fly fisherman trying to net a fish on the Big Thompson River — The big ones put up a good fight

Photograph of a beautiful rainbow trout caught on the Big Thompson River in Colorado — Textbook Rainbow Trout

Aerial view of a fly fisherman walking up river — Fly fisherman moving up river

Photograph of a fly fisherman netting a trout surrounded by fall colors in Colorado — Fly Fishing the Big Thompson River surrounded by fall color in Colorado

Fly Fishing Deckers Canyon

Rob Hammer February 25, 2022

Fly Fishing Photography - Colorado - Deckers

There is no end to the pleasures that fly fishing can provide a person once they get past the initial suffering that comes along with the sport. That’s not to say it ever gets easy, you just learn how to screw up less. For me, one of the great pleasures is watching the way light, or the lack thereof, can transform a river. Might not look like it, but this was a cold December day on the South Platte River in Deckers Canyon. The solitude a canyon brings is great. It also brings endless shifts of light that can be equal parts beautiful, tricky, and frustrating from a photography perspective. One of my biggest difficulties with fly fishing is a positive one; deciding whether to fish or to photograph. After years of deliberation the obvious conclusion presented itself - fish when the light sucks.

Click HERE to see more of my fly fishing photography.

South Platte River

Fly Fishing Deckers Canyon

Deckers Canyon

Fly Fishing Deckers Canyon

Fly Fishing - Crested Butte, CO

Rob Hammer October 24, 2021

Taylor River Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Photography - Colorado

Sometimes you think the sun is going to help with the cold and on certain days is does. For all the rest of the days, it’s easiest to just accept the fact that you won’t feel your hands again until you get back to the truck. At which point you’ll need to put a koozie around your beer just so they don’t get any worse. Thankfully this wasn’t one of those. It’s only the middle of October but that doesn’t matter. If you spend time in the mountains then you know an early summer morning can feel oddly similar to winter. It’s got to be part of that whole love/hate thing.

It’s safe to assume that most western fly fisherman, in the beginning at least, are only concentrated on the rainbow trout. It’s put up on a pedestal. The trophy. The goal. Won’t deny having those same feelings, but that’s all changed over time, as everything does. Now, in my opinion, brown trout are king. Their colors and markings are really special.Now, In the name of transparency this isn’t my fish, but my friend caught it while I was shooting. Which means I was sort of catching it vicariously through him. That’s the only way I’ve found to calm the urge to set the camera down and replace it with a fly rod. It’s a vicious cycle that I’m trying to be at peace with. On the scale of problems, it’s a good one to have. Snowboarding is the only thing I do that absolutely won’t involve a camera unless it’s the one on my phone. Fly fishing on the other hand is a constant battle.

Good times on the Taylor River that day.

Click here to see more of my Fly Fishing photography

Fly Fishing the Taylor River

The beautiful markings of a brown trout

Colorado Fly Fishing Photographer

Rob Hammer August 5, 2021

11 Mile Canyon Fly Fishing - Colorado

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains not far from Lake George, Colorado - 11 Mile Canyon is a breathtaking destination that attracts fly fishing aficionados with its crystal-clear waters, stunning scenery, and abundant fish species that offer an unforgettable experience for anglers. Colorado is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges, lush forests, and serene lakes. The backcountry canyon section of the South Platte River offers a unique opportunity to escape the crowds of fisherman, immerse yourself in nature, and find solitude on the water. Fly fishing in these remote areas not only allows you to connect with the environment but also gives you access to wild, untouched fisheries teeming with life.

If you’re going to spend a few days fly fishing in 11 Mile Canyon, there are designated campsites along the way, with Spillway Campground being the best. Just to be clear, this is not dispersed camping. It is a campground where you’ll have neighbors, but the sites are adequately spread out, and your literally steps from the South Platte River in a section with large, hungry trout. Early mornings there are great for quiet fishing before anyone wakes up, but don’t wait too long or there will be people on every corner. At that point, I’d recommend making some breakfast, then heading down canyon where you’ll find stunning stretches of river and solitude if you’re willing to work a little bit. Some of the canyon sections are a lot harder to access than others because a short hike down a steep hill is required for river access. It’s all worth the effort though to be surrounded by rocks cliffs and pristine water. Then, when the sun starts going down, head back to camp for some food and beer, and you’ll be just in time for the evening hatch. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about success throwing mice patterns there in the dark, but have never done it myself. Usually at that point the itch has been more than scratched, and beers around the fire is too appealing.

Click here to shop my fly fishing wall art and contact me directly about licensing photographs for editorial/commercial usage - rob@robhammerphotography