I am planning on taking a few days off at the end of September for a brief fall color trip from Sept 28-Oct 2 (the first and last days will be spent on the road to and from Texas).
I am considering two different options: 1) Dallas Divide / Owl Creek Pass area or 2) Kebler, Ohio, and McClure Passes. Since I will only have 3 days for photography I plan on spending all of my time at one of these two locations. I would love to get away for a longer period of time but there are too many projects happening at work and my budget is a little tight due to home repairs.
I have read the fall color reports from last year on the RMNP forum and based on that it sounds like the color from Kebler, Ohio, and McClure passes was disappointing. I am equally interested in seeing both locations but based on the report from last year it seems like the San Juans would be the better choice. Has anything changed in the outlook (ie: better moisture from abundant winter snow) or is SAD still likely to be a problem?
If you had only 3 days for photography and had to choose between option 1 or option 2 which would you choose and why?
As always I appreciate everyone's input!!
Brian Schrayer
Posted by Phillip Noll on August 20, 2011 at 6:52 PM
A couple weeks ago I drove through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, etc. A very large number of the aspens in the Durango area have died, presumably from SAD. Higher up, the aspens looked better but you could see entire stands here and there that have succumbed to SAD. In the Ridgway area, the vast majority of the aspens looked good with only a few patches that have died.
I was comparing the view of the mountains up County Rd 7 this summer to the view from 10 years ago and there are far more dead aspen, spruce, and fir than there was 10 years ago. Climate change with the warm, dry winters, bone dry springs, and hot summers is taking its toll. Also, the beaver pond on Dallas Creek near the end of Cty Rd 7 is mostly dried up and looking terrible so don't plan on any grand reflections there.
I would think you will get some very nice color in the San Juans this fall. I don't know how the trees are doing farther north. Good luck!
Posted by Jody Grigg on August 20, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Opt for either option if it doesn't work out head to the other, they are not that far apart. You have a 50/50 chance.
I agree with Jody. Shoot one location in the a.m. and shoot the other location in the p.m. and enjoy the ride between the two..
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 21, 2011 at 12:33 PM
While I haven't been to that area this year, I have to agree with the SAD observations from Phillip. However, it always seems that the fall colors are a crapshoot from year to year these past 5 or so autumns. Two years ago, it was a total mess with the increasing SAD areas and the widespread leaf mold, but there were still areas that seemed unaffected by both. Fall was definitely in full swing in those healthy areas and it was beautiful. Who knows what will happen this year at Kebler and McClure? It's anyone's guess. The San Juans? Again, it's all a puzzle. Keep your eyes on this forum before you leave home and you'll get some information that will keep you, ummmm, guessing
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input. Jimmy, I really enjoy the images in your portfolio and your work has been a source of inspiration as I have researched places that I would like to see. Now if only I can come away with the kind of images that you capture it would be even better!!
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 23, 2011 at 12:55 PM
What? The climate changes??? I thought it stayed the same forever and ever...
Discussion
6 repliesI am considering two different options: 1) Dallas Divide / Owl Creek Pass area or 2) Kebler, Ohio, and McClure Passes. Since I will only have 3 days for photography I plan on spending all of my time at one of these two locations. I would love to get away for a longer period of time but there are too many projects happening at work and my budget is a little tight due to home repairs.
I have read the fall color reports from last year on the RMNP forum and based on that it sounds like the color from Kebler, Ohio, and McClure passes was disappointing. I am equally interested in seeing both locations but based on the report from last year it seems like the San Juans would be the better choice. Has anything changed in the outlook (ie: better moisture from abundant winter snow) or is SAD still likely to be a problem?
If you had only 3 days for photography and had to choose between option 1 or option 2 which would you choose and why?
As always I appreciate everyone's input!!
Brian Schrayer
I was comparing the view of the mountains up County Rd 7 this summer to the view from 10 years ago and there are far more dead aspen, spruce, and fir than there was 10 years ago. Climate change with the warm, dry winters, bone dry springs, and hot summers is taking its toll. Also, the beaver pond on Dallas Creek near the end of Cty Rd 7 is mostly dried up and looking terrible so don't plan on any grand reflections there.
I would think you will get some very nice color in the San Juans this fall. I don't know how the trees are doing farther north. Good luck!