The annual Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension lifts off from Red Rock Ranch in the Animas Valley
<br>The crew of the hot air balloon Basket Case secure the basket as it lands in the Animas Valley Friday morning during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>A balloon over the Animas Valley Friday morning during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>Children chase the shadow of the balloon, Basket Case, piloted by Bryan Hill of Page, AZ as we fly over Animas Valley Elementary School Friday morning.
<br>Hot air balloons over the Animas Valley Friday morning during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>Hot air balloons over Animas Valley Friday morning in preparation for the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>Figures in the snow by Animas Valley Elementary School Friday morning, photographed from a hot air balloon.
<br>A balloon over the Durango and Silverton train as it travels up the Animas Valley Friday morning.
<br>A herd of elk in the Animas Valley Friday morning, photographed from a hot air balloon.
<br>A balloon over the Animas Valley Friday morning during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>A balloon over the Animas Valley Friday morning as the Durango and Silverton train travels north during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>A hot air balloon after taking off from Red Rock Ranch. The balloons are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday mornings during Snowdown.
<br>A balloon over the Animas Valley Friday morning during the media day liftoff before the Snowdown balloon lifts on Saturday and Sunday.
<br>A hot air balloon floats down the Animus Valley over the Durango & Silverton train. The balloons are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday mornings during Snowdown.
<br>A hot air balloon is ready to take off from Red Rock Ranch. The balloons are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday mornings during Snowdown.
DAVID BERGELAND/Durango Herald <br>A hot air balloon flys low over Animas Valley Elementary School after taking off from Red Rock Ranch. The balloons are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday mornings during Snowdown.
<br>A hot air balloon takes off from Red Rock Ranch. The balloons are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday mornings during Snowdown.
