Sky replacement input please

[SquarePeg51 1]

This photo has been on my bucket list for a while. Have to time it with weather, trail conditions, peak foliage, crowds, traffic, time off from work, someone to hike with... not easy to get all of this in line. I don't know if/when I'll get up there again. Assuming I don't make it back up there before leaf drop, I may end up printing the photo I took last week. But the big plain blue sky is just not what I wanted. I tried a sky replacement in PS that I think looks pretty good. But maybe I have rose colored glasses... what do you think? Any suggestions for making it better (the sky or the foreground)?

Artist Bluff Big Sky by SharonCat..., on Flickr


original
Fall 2021 by SharonCat..., on Flickr

 

[NS: Nikon Shooter]

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The bigger point is the halo that is due to weather conditions and
are reflected in the new sky.

I would suggest — in a pixel editor — creating a luminosity mask to
get rid of the sky AND all its features and place the new behind the
mountains.

 

[SquarePeg51 1]

-

The bigger point is the halo that is due to weather conditions and
are reflected in the new sky.

I would suggest — in a pixel editor — creating a luminosity mask to
get rid of the sky AND all its features and place the new behind the
mountains.

Thanks for the advice.

Anyone else have any input?