Matt Payne’s Colorado Way is far more than a coffee table book. Yes, the photography is breathtaking, each image capturing the raw beauty and scale of Colorado’s high country. But what sets it apart is the depth woven throughout. Matt uses his experiences hiking and climbing Colorado’s peaks as a framework for universal life lessons: setting meaningful goals, facing fears, bouncing back from failure, building resilience. He writes with honesty and humility about gratitude, solitude, and how nature sparks the inspiration we need to push forward.
These aren’t abstract ideas. Every lesson is grounded in real moments on the trail. The book feels like a conversation with a wise friend who’s been to the summits and returned with insights worth sharing. As a parent, I appreciate how accessible these lessons are for kids. My children were captivated not only by the images but by the stories that followed. Perseverance, humility, environmental stewardship: Matt makes these feel natural and inspiring rather than preachy.
Colorado Way is beautiful enough to display proudly and rich enough to actually read, reflect on, and live by. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Kane Engelbert