Fall!

While driving up Squaw Pass, yesterday I noticed quite a few Aspen leaves showing brown edges. There were also a few yellow leaves here and there!

It’s hard to believe that fall is already around the corner. Actually, it's next month for us in Colorado!

Does anyone have any trips planned, or anyone wanting to participate in a fall color outing this season?

Sadly, (though the reason is okay) my fall shooting trip has been cancelled. I'm going to be in SLC the 16th and 17th of September for the George Lepp/Rick Sammon seminar and had planned to drive from there to Phoenix stopping at Coyote Buttes on the way. Then after spending a few days with my daughter, grandaughter, and my wife who's flying into Phoenix for business that week, I was going to mosey back up through the San Juans and home via Kebler Pass. Unfortunately it would have required me to use a few vacation days that have been scheduled for the week after Christmas and my wife vetoed that concept.

The good news....I'll get to see my grandaughter and play golf in Phoenix for Christmas.

I'd be interested in a trip to Kebler, Chair mountain etc etc depending on the timing etc. I enjoyed it last year. Maybe the peak is theoretically the last week in September??

Bill Meikle
Fort Collins

Me too, assuming my foot heals enough by then!

I was getting ready to post this same question

After driving over Kebler and Independence Passes on our way home from Crested Butte last month I kept thinking "Wow, this has gotta be awesome in the fall!"

Then there are the San Juans

This will be our first fall here. I had a question regarding fall colors. Do they vary as much as wildflower season? Are some areas better one year, then not so great the next depending on rain, number of hot vs cold days, etc...? Or are the hot spots usually always pretty darn good?

Thanks,

Derek

Derek, more or less the same sites are "good", but that's a relative term, just like with wildflowers. Crested Butte is always "good" for wildflowers, but some years are much better than others.

Aspen are like most deciduous trees in autumn; their color depends on the conditions during the year. Up to a certain point, dry conditions help bring out reds and oranges; too dry, though, and Aspen leaves just curl up and drop off. So like wildflowers, different areas will be different this year. Kebler should be good, though, if what I hear about moisture is close to accurate.

Driving back from Jackson Hole last night I noticed a couple of yellow bushes over one of the passes. It looks indeed like fall is right around the corner.

Nathan

I posted this question, somewhere obscure obviously, too. I am definitely interested in a fall shoot! I was thinking the weekend of the 9/16...

Are there other places which are also really nice during the fall besides the ones which are so well know?

For example when I was in RNMP I hiked to Alberta Falls and noticed some really scenic areas with aspens along the river down from the falls. Here is one of the images I took of it:

http://photos.imageevent.com/dereksurfs/rockymountainsummer/huge/10Jun06_2893acr.jpg

Derek

When I went to your photo link from AC.com this morning, I finally figured out that you're THAT Derek. lol

We definitely need to plan a fall photo outing. Does the weekend of 9/19 work for anyone else? Is it "too early?" I know that can never be known for sure. Unfortunately I probably can't get out there the last two weekends in Sept., which might be better timing...

Denise - do you mean the weekend of 9/16? That's probably a little early, although some color may be developing at that time. It really depends on the location and elevation. I'd expect a lot of green at that time, still. I'm not sure where I'll be going, but I'm looking at the last week in Sept. and first in Oct.

I'll be in Jackson Hole Sept. 20-24. Hopefully, the following weekend should still have some color here in Colorado.

I'm definately interested in the Kebler/Marble/Independence Pass areas as well as the Dallas Divide/Ridgeway areas in the southwest.

I'm just now looking at my work and family calendar. But ideally as Rick mentioned I would like to take off time during the last week in Sept. and first in Oct.

I think I drove my wife a little crazy on our last family trip in Crested Butte. I just could not stop taking pictures

So she said for the Fall I need to go with some photo buddys/nuts/enthusiasts like myself

Do most of you guys normally just car/tent camp as you go like nomads? I was thinking about camping at a campground with actual showers (KOA) part of the time, or maybe just roughing it Paul Bunyan style and live and eat from the land.

- Derek

Yeah, I meant 9/16. Thanks for catching that! Now the weekend of Oct. 7th and 8th I could do. I could also do Oct. 1st (Sunday) and 2nd (Monday). That might be best for color. Derek, I think they do normally car/tent camp wherever, which I'm game for. I have a pop-up, but it's not worth hauling for only myself. This will be my first time going off without the family. It will just indeed be nice to be among fellow photo nuts instead of torturing my flesh and blood!

Driving along the Arkansas River today I saw a Cottonwood that had at least one branch turning early, as well as a few Willows with sections of yellow. The rest of the valley was green, green, green, with many flowers still in bloom. A LOT of rain has fallen out there this year apparently.

I'd prefer the last week in September, anytime after the 21st, and am happy to camp.

I like Kebler and Chair mountain and over towards Crested Butte.

Bill

This was Chair Mountain on 28th September last year.

FYI

Bill

I will be out there (RMNP, Aspen, CB, Col. Sp.) 9/23-9/30. This talk about fall color is exciting. Maybe I'll see some of you around shooting.

Side note: I posted for advice last month and am just now getting around to replying to the emails and that thread. Been very busy here but will work on getting all the replies done this week. Sorry for the delay!