Posted by Rene Pirolt on September 23, 2010 at 1:27 AM
Art E. and I photographed the Bells this AM. Clouds were phenomenal until just before the sun came up, then they disappeared for about half an hour. Once sun was up clouds came back with a vengeance and hit us with strong rain and wind. The rain continued to soak us for the rest of the day. The above is a quick 4 image pano just before the storm hit us. (sorry it’s a bit rough, but just to give you an idea of what it looks like)
Here are is a condition report for the area as of Wednesday:
Maroon Bells - at peak now. Will try again tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Ashcroft Road - The initial few miles are a bit disappointing as the aspen look a bit sick, but the rest of the area is a peak. There are a few stands that have already lost their leaves, but the remainder of the aspen are brilliant yellow or have a nice mix of green/yellow.
McClure Pass - From Carbondale to near the top of the pass the colors are awfully muted and trees look sick. The signature aspen stand around the first turn of the pass looks terrible. Most of the leaves are gone, several trees have fallen, and what is left is a muted gray/green. However, the top of the pass and beyond looks really healthy and is not quite at peak. The ferns are looking great - half green half brown.
Independence Pass West Side - Phenomenal. Some stands are at peak, a couple just prior to peak, and one of the stands is still mostly green. There is an abundance of color of orange, yellow, and green.
Posted by Michael Renner on September 23, 2010 at 11:28 AM
thanks for the updates Rene!
Posted by Brent Doerzman on September 23, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Awesome report Rene, thanks!
So sad about that iconic stand of trees at the S-curve on McClure. Last year they were the same, very unhealthy looking. On top of that, they made the pull off area much larger last year sometime, thus closer to that great stand, making it close to impossible to get the old view. Hopefully that stand can bounce back some year!
Posted by Mark Rewald on September 23, 2010 at 12:42 PM
I was up there on the 22nd Rene! Got there about 5:30. Did you run out when the weather turned ugly around 8am? I started up the trail towards the peaks and set the tripod up to do some close ups of the leaves and then it started to pour. Got back to the lake and everyone was gone. Was the only one I saw using film. Sort of felt like everyone was watching me...
Posted by Morris McClung on September 23, 2010 at 2:29 PM
That is an excellent pano, Rene! I really like the dark clouds behind. They make the peaks really pop! Thanks for the report!
Discussion
4 repliesHere are is a condition report for the area as of Wednesday:
Maroon Bells - at peak now. Will try again tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Ashcroft Road - The initial few miles are a bit disappointing as the aspen look a bit sick, but the rest of the area is a peak. There are a few stands that have already lost their leaves, but the remainder of the aspen are brilliant yellow or have a nice mix of green/yellow.
McClure Pass - From Carbondale to near the top of the pass the colors are awfully muted and trees look sick. The signature aspen stand around the first turn of the pass looks terrible. Most of the leaves are gone, several trees have fallen, and what is left is a muted gray/green. However, the top of the pass and beyond looks really healthy and is not quite at peak. The ferns are looking great - half green half brown.
Independence Pass West Side - Phenomenal. Some stands are at peak, a couple just prior to peak, and one of the stands is still mostly green. There is an abundance of color of orange, yellow, and green.
So sad about that iconic stand of trees at the S-curve on McClure. Last year they were the same, very unhealthy looking. On top of that, they made the pull off area much larger last year sometime, thus closer to that great stand, making it close to impossible to get the old view. Hopefully that stand can bounce back some year!