theres lost detail and some blown out highlights, but i think its such an otherwise danged good shot, i dunno - is it worth keeping?

yes garden of the gods

That file has alot of potential for corrections from the original , especially from RAW.

The one thing I see that bothers me is the scraggly tree sticking out though.

I agree with Paul. If you could lighten the rocks and keep the sky dark that would make the picture imo. And clone out that tree :)

Here is a quick edit using a preset in AutoFX software to show you what opening the shadows will look like. I wouldn't edit like that myself, but you get the idea.

I hope you don't mind, IF you do just say so and I will delete my post.

ah, cool, yes that works! thanks!

So that's a keeper to you, which is all that matters ;)

I have many files that I know have potential, but I haven't learned how to bring it out yet. I just keep them , since they don't take up too much space.