Nichols Creek 6

According to your description, it seems to have been quite a trip you've made in order to capture this photograph!
To comfort you... It was really worth the effort.

I really like how you did take the time to aim for a somewhat longer exposure that smoothens the water a little. That, combined with the sharp focus on the rocks make a very attractive composition.
The colouring of the photograph make a very sober impression, that adds to the location, such as you described it, of where the picture was taken.

One downside I experience is the little blurred impression at the bottom of the picture, perhaps a downside of working with HDR. This is only a small issue however and does not really draws your eye directly away from the main subject, which is, to my own idea, very well composed with the few elements that were available.

Overally, the processing and capturing of this photograph has been done in a professional and well thought manner and defines itself on the screen as a well composed photograph that should be an inspiration to many.