Decisions, decisions

Well what I was hoping would be a long weekend is getting truncated. This weekend will probably be my only opportunity for Colorado fall colors as I'm in Orlando next weekend. Now I have a meeting on Friday, so I only get Saturday and Sunday to go play.

So I'm trying to decide where to go...Aspen, Carbondale, Kebler, Ridgway? From the reports, I'm leaning toward the Capitol Peak and Aspen/Ashcroft area. They seem a little further along than the Sneffels/Dallas Divide area.

Are there any good sunrise spots for Sopris? How about Capitol Peak for sunrise? I don't have any nice Bells shots that I really like, but I loathe that spot this time of year.

Where is everyone else heading this weekend (I'll go somewhere else hehe)?

Well, I'm stuck in Oregon so I'm envious of your weekend outing. Obviously can't speak to the conditions, but a good sunrise spot for Sopris is Prince Creek Road (Co Road 5). You catch it about a mile south of Carbondale (I think it starts as Co Road 111). It eventually meets Sopris Creek Road (Co Road 6). There are 4wd trails all along that offer up good views, and good camping. This shot was taken from there in 2009.

Oh, Mommy!

Thanks a bunch, Rick! I think I ran into you coming down from the Capitol Peak overlook the day you took this. When I mentioned a Sopris sunrise I was hoping you might chime in. This looks like a great, new spot for me to check out. Thanks again.

I'm kind of in the same boat Kalin, quickie trip this weekend too. Still haven't decided either, didn't want to do too much driving to save gas, so was thinking Leadville/Buena Vista area. But geez, Aspen really isn't that much further! We'll see.

Glad Rick posted that shot, which is amazing by the way! That was either the day before we hooked up there, or the morning I slept in! I think it was the day before, so that makes me feel better! :)

Good luck Kalin, look for my dark green 4Runner with Thule cargo box on top!

I drove the Prince Creek Road this afternoon and the colors are quite nice, lots of red and orange in the brush and the aspens are about 50-70% changed. Now if we could only get some clouds and some snow on the peaks...(hopefully by this weekend). BTW, it 's definitely a morning shot as Rick has exquisitely shown. Here's a reference shot from the Prince Creek side this afternoon. You can also access it if you're coming from Aspen---1.5 miles down from Basalt on Hwy. 82 is the Emma Road/Sopris Creek Road turnoff---go left about a mile and the road forks---take the (right fork) West Sopris Creek Road and that takes you to the overlooks and Prince Creek Road.

Thanks Rod! That's looking pretty good! I'm off to google earth and topo the area so I can find a spot that I can drive into in the dark. I think I'll be sleeping there Friday night.
Hope to run into some of you fine NPNers this weekend! Look for a silver 4Runner with a wilderness rack on top. Say Hi!

Beautiful image! Love the clouds in the first image. Great color as well.