Posted by Nat Coalson on September 28, 2009 at 4:24 PM
First, let me apologize for not including an image with this post. I will explain momentarily.
If you love to shoot the fall colors and this season hasn't helped you scratch that itch, you need to hear this.
This morning I had the pleasure of driving home from my weekend workshop in Crested Butte. (The colors around there were sparse to say the least.)
I came back over Cottonwood Pass early this morning and the colors there were about the best I've ever seen anywhere. (Not that I've seen everything everywhere.) But they were really spectacular.
I was in a hurry to get to a meeting in Denver and thus couldn't (didn't?) take the time to make any pics. Later, when I started thinking about doing this post, I realized too late that I should have at least snapped a few for illustration.
(It was a good thing I didn't delay, though... the traffic construction on 285 might have made me late for my appointment.)
Anyway, it's all happening on Cottonwood right now. Full yellow (without mold), some nice oranges and reds, plus grasses and scrub brush that's really popping. Near the bottom of the east end, the beaver ponds have made for water reflections to die for.
If you can get up there in the next couple of days, DO IT!! No telling how long it will last.
If you go, here's my suggestion:
Start up the drive from the Buena Vista side around sunrise (7am or so). This will give you time to scout locations while the sun is still coming up over the high, surrounding mountains.
Start back down (heading east) around 8 or 8:15 am. If it's a clear morning (like usual) you will be blown away. The backlighting of the colors is like looking at fireworks. Really stunning.
You should be able to work the light for several hours.
With no photos to show, you'll have to take my word for it. But trust me, you won't be disappointed.
And if one of your shots wins the fall colors contest remember who loves 'ya.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on September 28, 2009 at 4:33 PM
you're killing me...
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 28, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Way to go, Nat! I think we'll be hearing this sort of thing about a few other spots as time goes one. I love Cottonwood Pass, fall colors or not.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on September 28, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Hmmm. I wondered about Cottonwood. Independence Pass has some very nice areas on the east side, as others have mentioned. I was driving up it last Thursday night just after sunset and didn't have time to stop.
Might have to be late for work one morning...
Posted by bill meikle on September 28, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I'm planning on being there on Friday. Thanks Nat.
Posted by Morris McClung on September 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Well, it is closer than going all the way to Crested Butte, and I haven't shot it in years. Thanks Nat!
Posted by Bill Brennan on September 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Thanks Nat. Very informative and inspiring report.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Stan Rose on September 28, 2009 at 10:51 PM
If youre headed that way, may want to check my update on the weather below
Posted by Koveh Tavakkol on September 28, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Nat, thanks for the heads up. Do you think they will be any good still this weekend? If not I might try to go into work in the afternoon Wed and try to get out there and shoot. How hard is it to find in the dark if you have never been before? Is there a particular trail, or do you just look for places off 285?
Will be up there starting Wednesday night. "learned" of the quality of that area last fall but it was pouring rain and made the decision to go back this year. Thanks for the heads up and the tip that's it's looking good up there.
Posted by Chris Rice on September 29, 2009 at 1:58 AM
How did the workshop go? Wish I could witness the beauty, but work and gallery stuff calls! Thanks for the updates Nat.
Posted by Nat Coalson on September 29, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Koveh - I can't say if the color on Cottonwood Pass will last until the weekend... it looked pretty near peak to me. If you can't get p there during the week might still be worth checking out on the weekend, at least.
Chris - the workshop was a huge success! Everybody had a great time and the students learned a lot... as evidenced by the work they were putting out by the end of the weekend. It was a blast, in spite of the conditions in the area.
Speaking of which, here's more about the popular spots around CB:
- There is some decent color on Kebler, but nothing like usual. Ferns are already brown.
- Ohio Pass was still coming along by the time we left... I'd bet Ohio is peaking this week.
- Some fun locations with decent color on Cement Creek and Washington Gulch.
All in all I'd say that it's not worth going out of your way to get to CB this fall, but if you're in the area there's still some decent stuff to be found.
Posted by bill meikle on September 30, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Thanks Nat, I went there yesterday morning and there was still loads of color. Also along 50 near Gunnison, and Kebler etc still have lots of color and lots of bare trees too.
Good news is that most of the 285 road works are done.
Discussion
12 repliesIf you love to shoot the fall colors and this season hasn't helped you scratch that itch, you need to hear this.
This morning I had the pleasure of driving home from my weekend workshop in Crested Butte. (The colors around there were sparse to say the least.)
I came back over Cottonwood Pass early this morning and the colors there were about the best I've ever seen anywhere. (Not that I've seen everything everywhere.) But they were really spectacular.
I was in a hurry to get to a meeting in Denver and thus couldn't (didn't?) take the time to make any pics. Later, when I started thinking about doing this post, I realized too late that I should have at least snapped a few for illustration.
(It was a good thing I didn't delay, though... the traffic construction on 285 might have made me late for my appointment.)
Anyway, it's all happening on Cottonwood right now. Full yellow (without mold), some nice oranges and reds, plus grasses and scrub brush that's really popping. Near the bottom of the east end, the beaver ponds have made for water reflections to die for.
If you can get up there in the next couple of days, DO IT!! No telling how long it will last.
If you go, here's my suggestion:
Start up the drive from the Buena Vista side around sunrise (7am or so). This will give you time to scout locations while the sun is still coming up over the high, surrounding mountains.
Start back down (heading east) around 8 or 8:15 am. If it's a clear morning (like usual) you will be blown away. The backlighting of the colors is like looking at fireworks. Really stunning.
You should be able to work the light for several hours.
With no photos to show, you'll have to take my word for it. But trust me, you won't be disappointed.
And if one of your shots wins the fall colors contest remember who loves 'ya.
Might have to be late for work one morning...
Bill Brennan
Chris - the workshop was a huge success! Everybody had a great time and the students learned a lot... as evidenced by the work they were putting out by the end of the weekend. It was a blast, in spite of the conditions in the area.
Speaking of which, here's more about the popular spots around CB:
- There is some decent color on Kebler, but nothing like usual. Ferns are already brown.
- Ohio Pass was still coming along by the time we left... I'd bet Ohio is peaking this week.
- Some fun locations with decent color on Cement Creek and Washington Gulch.
All in all I'd say that it's not worth going out of your way to get to CB this fall, but if you're in the area there's still some decent stuff to be found.
Good news is that most of the 285 road works are done.