FINAL PROJECT: A WALK DOWN THE CREEK
MEDIA INSPIRED BY ACTION
BY JILLIAN VALLANCE
After making their way across Boulder Creek, two climbers, Briar and Susie, walk back up to Canyon Drive on April 30, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Starting with the snowpack in the Alpine headwaters, Boulder Creek stretches 31.4 miles until converging with the St. Vrain Creek. Along it’s path, it provides the surrounding environment with dynamic flow, humans with recreation, and the city of Boulder with water. As it flows, it changes. The crystal clear, mountainous water closest to the Alpine slowly turns into the muddy, E-Coli filled water observed surrounding urban areas and agriculture.
While lead climbing, a man falls, but is caught by his protection above Boulder Creek on April 30, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
On April 30, 2024, after finishing climbing for the day, two hikers cross Boulder Creek with ease. (Jillian Vallance)
Gavin, a climber and proud Boulder local, uses a cable crossing to get himself across Boulder Creek on April 30, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Nine climbers take separate routes up the same rock face, just above Boulder Creek on April 30, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
On April 29, 2024, a kayaker crosses under an overwater bridge, marking a junction between the mountainous end and the urban end of Boulder Creek. (Jillian Vallance)
After every run by Boulder Creek, Greg attempts a cold plunge, yet only sometimes is he able to bring himself to do it. Kaylee, his running partner, films him on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
On just his third time fishing, Coulson explains how he just missed a “giant brown one.” He tosses his line out on Boulder Creek, just before it crosses into Eben G. Fine Park on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Jim, a practiced fisherman, throws his line into Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Lily, a graduate student at University of Colorado, Boulder, spends her free time reading by Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Jared and his dog Boog sit by Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Violet Elder says a prayer for Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park on April 29, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)
Katie and Trinity sit and catch up with each other on a bench by Boulder Creek right off Grandview Avenue in Boulder, CO on April 22, 2024. (Jillian Vallance)