looking to get a special Composition..need help

I am looking to get a large aspen stand or grove with:

a. Fairly large trunks
b. New spring growth....just starting to leaf.
c. I want to be able to shoot through the trees to a stream running in the background

Hopefully within 2-3 hour drive from Denver...no more than 4 hours.

I don't know if anything like this is around...I was thinking more toward Kenosha Pass but if anyone knows anything, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Maroon or Castle Creek near Aspen probably has something like that. Independence Pass has some big aspens, but not sure about the creek part.

I got it! Cottonwood Pass has some nice aspens with a creek flowing right through. At or before the Denny Creek TH parking lot.

I have the perfect suggestion for you, except that it is a little outside of your driving range. What you're looking for made me think of the East River meanders along Gothic Road near Crested Butte. There are aspen along the road, which should be greening up right now, with the backdrop of a dramatic curving river. Problem is, Mapquest says it's a 4:15-hour one-way drive. If you're planning on going over the holiday weekend I can guarantee it will be at least that from Denver.

Kenosha, as you mentioned, is not a bad option. The trees there should be just starting to green up. Taking the Colorado Trail near the top of the pass should allow you to get close enough to the trees to depict their large trunks. I don't remember any streams/rivers in the area though, although I could be wrong.

Good luck!

Just saw Todd's Cottonwood Pass suggestion. That one is also a great idea which I would second.

It might be a little late for the new growth part, but Golden Gate Canyon State Park may have an area not far from the visitors center that might fit those goals. It's less than a half hour from Golden. I not sure that the creek will be large enough, though.

Kenosha Pass was still dormant when I drove through there last weekend, but it should start greening up real fast now.

Good luck,
Jim Bennett
Highlands Ranch, CO

there's new growth still off of 285