Maroon Bells to Peak earlier this year

I just got off the phone with the USFS office in Aspen. The women I spoke with said things are changing very fast right now in the Maroon Bells area. Based on the rate of change they are seeing, they are predicting things to peak next week!

I won't be there until the weekend of the 23/24. So hopefully a big storm won't roll thru and blow everything away. I am also hoping their forecast is a little off as well. But the indicators seem there for a somewhat earlier fall peak.

Any weather gurus care to give there prediction? It is only a week or two out now.

I have fun guessing at this sort of thing and would say that every year things start getting a little yellow and everyone starts saying that things will be early. But it's actually a rare year when things are really that much different. I do recall a cold year a few years ago when I visited my favorite area at the usual time and all of the leaves were on the ground. So it does happen.

I always found, regardless, that there will be something nice to photograph and it is a great time of the year to be outdoors.

Thanks Darren,

You are right. I guess I just don't want to miss things since it will be my first time there during fall. I don't mind if it is past peak as long as there is still color to be seen.

Derek

Is this another one of the forest rangers they transport to windowless offices in windowless vans? If you want a second opinion, ask her what her seeing eye dog thinks. Hate to sound negative, but I have had very little luck getting much accurate color information from park rangers. Now, if you want some accurate information call the Chamber of Commerce of the nearest town to the area you are going. You may be surprised to learn that peak colors last from mid-August to mid-November in all of Colorado and that this is the best color in 20 years, but if you don't get here quick and spend lots of money in our town, the colors will fade. Can't blame them, that's their job. The rangers on the other hand.........well, I guess maybe they get tired of people calling and asking too.

I'm with George. And Darrin. And Roger. Besides, there was a post two days ago that provided a link to a current photo of the Bells on the USFS site (that they'll reportedly update every day or two), and the trees beyond the lake were almost completely GREEN. Take a deep breath and take comfort in the fact that every year somebody predicts an early fall, and it ends up being right on schedule. Besides, it's not like peak color is a one-day event, be there and you miss it. It's not long enough for me, but plenty long to get good shots.

I agree with y'all..................the attached image was made at sunrise on 9/23/05 with 50 or so like-minded souls. There had to over $1 Million worth of equipment next to that lake!

After sleeping in my rig and walking the 200 yards to the lake, I elbowed my way into the spot that I wanted and the Photog next to me told me I was late. It seemed to me that I was right on time..........

Great shot Dave! You *were* right on time!

I wonder how many folks from the forum will be there this weekend and next? I'll be there next Saturday morning. From there I'll probably head to Marble or straight to Kebler Pass and then???