yeah that's a bummer on that water droplet man, on closer inspection it does change the photograph quite a bit when you remove it as it now looks like a cloud and part of the original photo. But it would be legal in adv. editing, so that's sort of unfair I think, but then again you have to draw the line somewhere. IMO removing sensor dust is not qualitatively different from removing a water droplet or sun flare, but I suppose you have to draw the line somewhere. Anyway, it is still a great photo and DID in fact place high with voters, I'm sure you'll make it back to the top 5 in short order :)
Love the look of the misty clouds in the gorge - gives the impression of being high up the mountain trail. I'm glad they have that railing there as that looks like a steep drop if you slipped!
I WOULD IMAGINE THIS IS LESS TRAVELED DUE TO THE UNKNOWN AROUND THE BEND. COMPOSITION IS EXCELLENT, AS WELL AS, YOUR PORTRAYAL OF THE CONTEST TITLE. VERY WELL DONE.
Beautiful place, and your picture does it justice. Composition, exposure and color processing are right on. The only thing I wish wasn't there is that pipe, obviously you had no control over that.