Kebler Update: More as of Friday

Kebler Pass and Ohio Pass got about 6-8 inches of snow last night. Everything was blanketed by morning with some aspens completely bent over due to the weight of the snow on their leaved limbs. Down in CB it is still snowing lightly into the afternoon but nothing is sticking. Warmer daytime temps are melting some of the snow most notably in watching the line of "dusting" moving up the slopes.

John

Got pics?

Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the update. I'm heading out on Saturday and am pretty sick about all this snow. I love snow, but not tons of it on roads I'm not familiar with. Next week's weather looks good so far and hopefully it will stay that way. Do you think Kebler, Ohio, and Cottonwood will be open by mid-week next week?

Thanks again.

I was headed up to the Bells tomorrow for the Saturday AM shoot. But with all the storms blowing threw I decided to wait until Saturday night instead.

Hopefully Sunday will be a bit dryer/clearer after the storms start to roll out. It looks like the forecast is better for next week. Maybe by then Kebler will also have more color.

As a former Western NY resident myself, I don't think you'll have any problems with the snow out here compared to there. Just remember the roads are twisty and sometimes steep. And that Colorado rarely believes in guard rails (or signage...). Otherwise, you're probably used to worse winter driving conditions than are most of the people in this state.

Are you renting a car? If so, an upgrade to a Subaru or other AWD/4WD vehicle might be in order if things don't clear up. Initial forecast looks a bit better for next week, but we don't have reliable long-term forecasting out here.

Les, thanks. We are renting an SUV. I've never driven one so hopefully I do alright. I'm a good driver in snow and it doesn't typically bother me much, but as you say..."steep" and "no guardrails" scares the sh*t outta me.

No forecast is 100% but I'm hoping!!

Here are some pics of the Crested Butte side. Looking very nice!!!

http://www.rsn.com/cams/crested/cam_welcome.html?rsn_ref=RM

God I cant wait to get out there!!! The bike is all packed and I start the big adventure tomorrow!! Should be in Estes by Tuesday!! Hope those leaves hang on!!!

UPDATE:

Kebler Pass is navigable inspite of getting an estimated 12-16" of snow. The leaves are hanging on inspite of the snow, mostly because there is still a lot of green. Next weekend should be close to prime unless the leaves decide to go to brown. Horse Ranch Park and the lower slopes of East Beckwith are not showing much yellow. But there is some nice color just starting to show around Marcellena and the lower slopes of West Beckwith which both will look nice next week with snow on the peaks. Lost Lake should be peak in a few days though the snow may be thicker on the road.

Ohio pass road had about 8" of snow tonight with two clear tracks on the upper portion. The lower section before the pavement isn't steep but has lots of slick mud at least until things dry out on Sunday. The leaves along that road are about 40% turned with some nice sections. There is still lots of green showing promise for next week. The aspens below the Castles view are yellow green and not fully turned yet. Lots of snow to go with future foliage shots too.

Mt. Crested Butte is nicely dressed in white, and driving north out of town I found some nice stands of color though not as prolific as in Kebler. The color here may not last as long. A few groves were almost bare.

No pictures until I invent a laptop that will automatically develop then scan 4x5 sheets. All in good time!!

John, thank you so much for your report. I fly out tomorrow and will be on Kebler by Tuesday. You gave me new hope! :-)

I hope to return with my own trip report and lots of pics to share.

Thanks to all who have been so helpful in my planning!

Here is a little more information on conditons. I took Cottonwood Pass yesteday to Crested Butte and spent the night there. The colors are good on the south side of Cottonwood Pass to tree line. The snow began as I headed into CB. I echo John's report on Kebler. Pretty tough conditions up there on Thursday afternoon. I also checked out the Slate River road and the color is getting good. Next week should be great! Today I headed south to Gunnison and east on U.S. 50 and found very good color just east of Monarch on the south side of the highway. It is 8:50 pm and I am at my cabin near Fairplay and there has been about 13-1/2" of snow accumulation since 4:00pm today.

The good news is the leaves are holding despite the heavy snow. Next week should be great!
Be careful if you are heading up tomorrow.

Tom Kennon

Day one is done. 500 miles complete and 1500 to go! As I sit in my hotel room and read this thread I see......

Next week should be great!

.............

PERFECT!!!!!!!!

I am coming from Indiana on the 29th-9th and was worried i would miss most of the color. I've been watching this site for a couple weeks and am so thankful for all the posts and updates on color. THANK YOU to all posters and especially those who supply pictures! A big thanks to CAZ who introduced me to this site a couple years ago and another to Darren Kilgore for some help regarding Double RL Ranch. Happy shooting! Amy Lindsey

Here's a visual on John's Kebler report, taken Thursday evening. John and I actually met for the first time just a few minutes before I took this image. This is about the best of the aspens in this area at the moment. Next week should be much better, especially if some of the snow melts at lower elevations.

Wow, very nice Todd! I am headed there next weekend, hope I am not too late

You won't be late, Paul. This is probably the yellowest of any trees in the area. The rest have a looooong way to go.

Thanks for the update, Todd. Nobody's been down to the Silverton/Ouray area on any of the posts I've seen.

Sweeeet shot, Todd.

Tom and John - great reports. Thanks for keeping us updated!

Nice shot Todd. I must have either past or just missed you. The wife and I went through Kebler pass to Crested Butte from Carbondale on Thursday late morning and back late afternoon. I would liked to have met you while I was there. I hope my shots turn out half as good as yours.

Bruce

Nice Todd! Way to steal the thunder!! Just remember I got my snowball over the river. That'll give you something to ponder even if my shots don't come out as great!!