Fall Color Reports

Please post your fall color reports here....feel free to post images. Include dates, time of day and locations with your post, if possible. Please don't use this sticky to ask when and where to go, use the main thread for that. Posts unrelated to fall color reports will be deleted.

One stand is changing quite a bit along Fall River road to Saint Mary. Patches of changes along I-70 to Loveland Pass, but most trees are still very green to light green.

I passed over Guanella Pass near Georgetown on 8/31. Some trees on the highest parts of the hillsides and a few along the roadside have turned or are beginning to turn. I'd say no more than 10% is yellow so nothing to get too excited about yet, though several local residents said this is about a week or so earlier than normal. Could be a first half of September peak there. The tundra on Mount Bierstadt is well into its autumn reddish color right now too.

I went over Monarch and Cinnamon Passes this Labor Day weekend and there's quite a bit of yellow on both. There's still some light greens and even a few reds, but I'd say both of those areas will be at peak in about 1-2 weeks.

There was a bit of yellow this weekend up by Silverton and Molas Pass, not much but enough to make me smile.

Here is what I have as of September 2nd around Pikes Peak:
Woodland Park, 1-2% Change mainly in the shrubs
Aspens surrounding Pikes Peak, a sprinkling of Yellow but mainly green
Area around Florissant, a few groves are already completely yellow with 15% more starting to turn

Here's an image I took at sunrise on 26 August. In the center of the image, you can see a small patch of aspen's that were starting their change to gold.

Today's report from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/up-and-autumn-fall-color-here-early

I have seen some nice photos that were made at Island Lake this weekend.

We went up Owl Creek Pass and to Silver Jack on Sunday. We saw a few patches here and there already changing (see attached photo taken from the East Fork Trail), but nothing too major yet. The trees next to the river on the East Fork road (before you get to the trailhead parking lot) were already peaking. I don't know if those were birch or ash, they had small narrow leaves and were yellow (I didn't get a chance to snap a shot of those however).

Today's Durango Herald had this photo and a caption reading, "Around Silverton right now we’re seeing small pockets of gold,” said Ann Bond, a spokeswoman with San Juan National For­est. “It’s hard to say when the fall color season will begin, but it might be early this year.” Near Silverton on Wednesday, a few aspens were showing their fall colors.

*EDIT*
Man, this thread already has 785 views...and it's still summer!!

Yeah, John, up to 813 and for only 9 posts.

Did a quick trip to check out color yesterday: area around Buena Vista and Salida above 10,000 feet is coming along with patchy good color ( about 30-50% in some areas. Next weekend is looking to be good and I will be heading to the CB area.
Here is an image from the Aspen Ridge area above Salida.

Sadly I haven't been out yet, but wanted to link to an epic scouting report that should give lots of good info as of this weekend. Darren Kilgore went on a weekend drive around the state and posted all these pics. Keep an eye on this link, as I believe he'll be adding pics from other folks as they report in too. Thanks Darren!

MyColorado.org Fall 2012 color report

As of today, the aspens along DeMotte Park by the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are still green. Those out towards Saddle Mountain are turning lime/yellow. Just a very few assorted branches or single trees with orange/red.

A big 'Thanks!' to Brent for sharing Darren's report!
I'll try and hit the San Juans circuit this weeknd, but it sure appears that times are normal from what I saw in that report.

I camped in the Pyramid/Ripple Creek Pass area of the Flat Tops this past weekend and also drove over Rabbit Ears Pass and up on Buffalo Pass Monday and I see plenty of evidence that at least in pockets and certain areas, the colors are turning early. While whole forests remain mostly green, I see lots of indications in some places that it's earlier than previous years---especially above 10,000 feet. Speculation has turned to documentation...this picture is from what we call Rainbow Ridge on the Buffalo Pass Road---the colors are muted because it was cloudy. More pictures Here. The good news is that the trees look quite healthy and where they've turned, the colors are very vibrant and saturated. I'm thinking a week early now, but with most aspen forests still mostly green, I'm hopeful that the season will stretch out---as I'm conducting a Fall Colors Workshop here in Steamboat Sept. 27-30.

This is a clone on an embankment on Ripple Creek Pass.

Muddy Pass Lake on the east side of Rabbit Ears Pass.

I just inspected the Rainbow Ridge and Rabbit Ears pass area as well and agree with Rod - 1 week early sounds reasonable, but some people are acting like things peaked 2 weeks ago :)

Our local newspaper article showed a picture from Muddy Lake in a publication last week:

http://m.steamboattoday.com/news/2012/sep/04/aspens-already-turning-gold-south-steamboat-fremon/

Yet I sepwrately found this photo tag line admitting the the picture is actually from a previous
year:

http://m.steamboattoday.com/photos/2012/sep/04/54307/

If you follow mycolorado.org you'll see that Darren pointed out even Visit Colorado's Facebook page had a picture of the Bells claiming to be from this year - except for the fact that it had snow on the peaks :)

As always, I appreciate this forums accuracy. Heck last fall Jodie private messages me to alert me of perfec conditions at the Bells and suggested I drop what I was doing and head out on my trip one day early. Boy am I glad I did, because i got this image the next morning:

http://photos.scottbideauphotography.com/colorado/hc0c3f21

Silverton area and Red Mountain Pass are looking GOOD! Around Silverton, I'd say it's about 50% color, with lots of orange and red mixed in (almost as much as yellow!). Many stands are fully turned already. Red Mountain Pass is about 30-50%. It's very mixed up, with stands of full yellow or orange right next to stands of solid green. It looks really good right now as it is, and will probably be good for the next week at least. The aspens look healthy and the colors are very brilliant for the most part.

For you icon hunters out there, note that Crystal Lake (Reservoir) up at Ironton is still empty - they've drained it to work on improvements to the dam.

I haven't been over to the Ridgway areas recently, but I'll post updates here when I know more. Typically, from what I've seen in past years, Red Mountain Pass turns a week or two earlier than the Ridgway areas.

Cuchara Pass in So Colorado (Hwy 12) small patches of sporatic color, still very green. A good two weeks away from peak.

About the most comprehensive photo update on Colorados fall color, link below. And if your interested here's another fall color thread that appears very active on 14ers.com.

http://mycolorado.org/images/fall_drives/fall_2012.html

http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=37217&start=48

Traveled home to Buena Vista from Denver yesterday on 285 after being gone for a couple of weeks. Kenosha Pass is about 40-50% turned along the road with quite a few fully turned stands. The mountainside to the south hasn't changed much yet. The colors are about the same down to Fairplay. Here in the valley, it looks like anything above about 10,00 feet has changed. The upper sides of the Collegiate Peaks are looking nice. My neighbor tells me that things changed a lot in the last couple of days. I will get out today and tomorrow to get some pics to post.

Went to RMNP Monday. Great color is starting there especially around Bear Lake.

Alberta Falls

Jason & Monte, perfect timing, I was just wondering about Kenosha or Bear Lake for tomorrow.
Now I just have to decide which one.

If there's snow up there I'll most likely be at Bear Lake again tomorrow.

Thanks Jason, RMNP for me this weekend. Are there still road contruction restrictions on the Bear Lake Rd? By the way, you did well to minimize the beetle kill trees in your Bear Lake image.

Thanks. If you want to drive up there you have to be there before 9am or after 4pm. Expect delays even then.

Just got back from a little vacation with the wife in the southern San Juans. I'll agree with Jack's earlier assessment about the Silverton and Red Mountain Pass areas. They are definitely looking pretty sweet with a healthy dose of yellows mixed in with the greens. Here's a shot from the west side of Silverton on 9-11. It was pouring when I went over Red Mountain pass so I don't have anything to really share from there.

Yesterday (9-13) afternoon on the road to Brainard Lake.
Lots of great color on the roadside, before the entrance station.

Yesterday morning up on Aspen Ridge to the east of Buena Vista. About 50% are turned with some real nice solid stands.

Yesterday afternoon along Lost Canyon Road above Granite. About the same conditions as above.

Went over Independance Pass this morning and ended up at the Bells. We saw good color all the way over the pass, but lots of haze from the fires. Maroon Creek was pretty clear. Still lots of Green mixed with the yellows. We drove on down to Ouray/Ridgeway and found very little color. Headed up to Silverton in the morning.

I checked out Cottonwood Pass and the St. Elmo area yesterday (9/14) morning. Cottonwood Pass has some color up higher with a lot of reds, but only about 30% turned. The mountainside of aspens on CR295 outside of St. Elmo is only partly turned, probably 30-40%.

This shot is from Clear Creek Canyon north of town yesterday afternoon.

A shot from west of the ghost town of Winfield up Clear Creek Canyon Road yesterday (9/14) afternoon.

from the Colorado Trail at Kenosha Pass, this morning (9-15)

From the same spot on the Colorado Trail looking west.
Lots of good color but some areas still totally green.

North side of Guanella Pass this afternoon (9-15)
Everything from green to peak color, with patches of ugly brown.

Drove up to Telluride today to check out the Blues Festival, and conditions were disheartening. Mostly green with some splashes of gold here and there. Perhaps the patchiest autumnal change I've seen at this time of year. We're about two weeks away from peak colors.

Wilson Peak area

Ophir Needles

Between Wilson Peak and Telluride

The link below contains pictures from Saturday's drive on Weston Pass (going from US-285 side to US-24 side). Next upload of pics won't be for a few days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uskestrel/sets/72157631545437838/

Great color overall with a lot of gold, some red and a little green here and there.

I hiked up to Pitkin Creek Falls 9/15. This is looking back toward Vail

Red Mountain and Silverton areas are pretty good right now. There are still patches of green that are beginning to turn, but most of the aspen stands have turned and are even beginning to drop leaves.

Here's one from Weston Pass on 9/15.

Rocky Mountain National Park

I think the Bear Lake area will be at peak or just a bit past peak next weekend. Its' currently looking very good.

McClure and Kebler Passes are at least a week away. Some good colors near the top of Kebler right now, but the huge aspen fields lower down below Beckwith and Marcellina are still mostly green. Ohio Pass is looking good right now... very orangey.

Also, just from what I could see driving by, the west side of Owl Creek Pass near Ridgway is about the same - mostly green, some yellow starting to show but just the beginning.

Here are some good update snapshots from my friends Mary & Rod in Crested Butte, from this weekend (15th & 16th). Kebler, Ohio Pass & Gothic areas. Thanks for sharing guys!

https://picasaweb.google.com/117838166781867695807/Fall2012Updates?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMCp0o3Hnr_few&feat=directlink

Seems like we should all chip in and donate a RMNP membership to Darren:

http://www.mycolorado.org/images/fall_drives/fall_2012.html

Went up to Bear Lake and this morning (9/17) and it was indeed looking very good.

Although not a top spot, Peak to Peak near Nederland is peaking.

Red Mountain Pass is GREAT right now! At or near peak. Brilliant colors. Also it snowed today up there! But, it was a quick storm and the snow melted in about a half hour. Pretty cool though.

As Jack already reported, Kebler is a work in progress. Better color is definitely toward the top.

This was past the Horse Ranch Park area going toward CB.

Mt. Crested Butte, on Sunday 9/16. (Both prior images shot 9/16 as well.)

I spent the day in the Cripple Creek/Victor area, on Hwy 67 and Teller 1. No where near peak (30-50% right now). Some nice pockets of color, but if you want some nice broad swaths of color (especially on the west flank of Pikes Peak), it'll be about a week.

Grand Mesa, Sunday aftewrnoon. Color will be much better in 7 -10 days.

I've got a business trip the weekend of Sep 29th but am thinking about swinging down to Aspen area this weekend (22nd) for Capital Peak etc. Can anyone confirm that it's close to peak? Seems that would be about right.

Guanella Pass, CO, Sunday 9/16/12. Going back for another look this coming weekend.

Charlie Whiting
Denver, CO

I was at Twin Lakes yesterday and the aspen have change 60-70%. A lot of really nice areas up high on the surrounding peaks. Still a ways to go down by the lakes yet for most. Lots of nice ones up around the forebay and below Mt. Elbert, too. I drove up Cottonwood Pass this morning. Lots of excellent aspen around Cottonwoood Lake. DO NOT GO to Crested Butte over Cottonwood Pass. They are working on the road along Taylor Creek and it is an UNHOLY MESS! Lost an hour! They should have closed the road completely down to do this much work.

Bear Lake last sat

Just back from 11,000+ feet in the Wets--some great color now along 165, whole are should be peaking in about a week...
Oh, lots of bluebird skies this week--next week looks better

Stan, what are you seeing for next week?

Boy is it hazy in Steamboat right now. I'm assuming it's blown down from Wyoming. Attached is a picture of Rainbow Ridge up on Buff Pass. I was having a picnic with my family and this is just a quick stitch to show conditions, which include some leaves at peak, some still green, and some already blown off. Hopefully you can appreciate the haze even in this picture...you can barely see the ridge in the background. I was going to stay around the Flat Tops area this weekend, but might head down to Aspen if the haze hasn't migrated down there yet. Can anyone confirm that?

The Arkansas River Valley here in Buena Vista got socked in with the smoke yesterday and is really bad today. Looking at the air quality forecast makes it look like it will be moving out of this area and to the east tonight. That website is: http://airquality.weather.gov/sectors/centrockies.php#tabs.

Thanks for the heads up, Monte! I was just about to hit the road for that area and saw your post and then looked at the website. Will try for tomorrow.

Thanks for the air quality link, Monte. Those are quite useful maps.

I would like to photograph Nellie Creek Falls which I understand is about four miles out of Lake City on a 4wd road. Is this road do able in a 2wd Xtera and what is best time of day? Thanks for any help

Joe Rogers

Joe, I was just there a couple days ago, you should be fine with 2WD high clearance as long as it's dry. There's not really a good place to park near the falls though :(

I've been out shooting fall colors and documenting the conditions for my blog readers. Despite the dry year colors are looking great and I'm definitely excited. I've listed all the conditions for places visited with dates below. Visit my blog for iPhone images better illustrating conditions (too much work to put them all here) and remember percentage change estimates are subjective. This great sunrise was from Ohio Pass.

September 15:
Idaho Springs, very little change 10 to 15% at lower elevations.
Dumont, 20 to 25%, mountains above exit 230 for a very vibrant stands of yellow aspens
Guanella Pass, above Georgetown, 40%. Nice shot with the road and trees. Cabin Creek Hydro, 70% approaching peak (clear Lake Campground). Stands before pass at and past peak, 10500ft. All brush at or past peak.
Just after pass 70% approaching peak. Best aspens on georgetown side.
285 from Glenalla pass to Kenosha Pass 30 to 40%
Kenosha Pass, 60-70% approaching peak

September 16:
Twin Lakes, 30 to 40%. The best location with ponds is dried-up.
Independence pass is very mixed, some 50%, some peak, some past peak.
Clear Creek Canyon Rd (CR390), 50-60%. Winfield near peak.
Cottonwood Pass, 50% lower elevations, 75% approaching peak higher, all brush on top of pass is peak or past, not many aspens heading towards Taylor reservoir or around it.
Taylor River near peak below reservoir, 40% change below. Major construction to Almont, 20-30 min delay.
Almont, Cotton woods around River 40%.
Everything Below (around Crested Butte): Patchy, lots of green, yellow, and some bare.
Carbon Creek ~20%
Ohio Pass, 40-50% but changing fast, some stands are already very vibrant
Kebler Pass, Top and just below (mountains viewable from switchbacks) 40-50%
Aspens around beaver pond view below East Beckwith 5-20%
Anthracite/Ruby Range View, 10% with the stands that turn Orange/Red already turned
Lost Lake, 10%
Marcelina Mt area, 20-30%

September 17th:
Shot the castles for sunrise and it was amazing! Noticed change in color from the day before.
Pinnacles at Miller Creek, 20%, hint of yellow in most of the green trees
Gunnison, cottonwoods 15 to 20%
Blue Mesa very low
Valley to Powderhorn, 20-30%
Lake Fork of the Gunnison River north of Lake City, cottonwoods 40%
Mountains around Lake City, 35% with good oranges

Alpine Loop to Engineer Pass
Nellie Creek Falls, 50%, beyond is peak
I got Aspen Overload on the Silver Thread Byway (CO 149), insane gold color everywhere south of Lake City
South of Lake City, 50%
Lake San Cristobal, 40%
Windy Point Overlook 30-40%
Aspens around Mt. Baldy Cinco, peak
North Clear Creek Falls, 50%
CR520, 70%
Rio Grande Reservoir, 70%

September 18th:
Stony Pass, peak
Silverton, 70%
Ophir Pass. 80% approaching peak
Red Mountain Pass, 70%
Cottonwoods in Valley before Ouray, 10%
County roads west of Ridgway, 10 to 15%
Ridges east of Ridgewest, 10%
The whole area around Ridgeway is very smoky and hazy.
Plateau north of Delta, 20%
McClure Pass, South/West side 20% with most yellows concentrated at the top, North Side the same, north side is under construction and one lane only.
Crystal River along 133, cottonwoods 40%
Glenwood Canyon 5%
Vail, 30-40%
Copper Mountain, Peak
Frisco, 80%

Looking at http://airquality.weather.gov/sectors/centrockies.php#tabs, it appears the wildfire haze is heading south to Aspen/CB tonight/tomorrow (Thur). I might try to get ahead of it tomorrow. Anyone down there able to report on the haze so far?

jason, that is just insanely valuable! Thanks for taking the time and I can't wait to see some images.

Maroon Bells this morning 9/20

"jason, that is just insanely valuable! Thanks for taking the time and I can't wait to see some images."

Hear, hear!!
Thanks, Jason!

7200 views!!

Killer image Jason! Thanks for the info too!

Be sure to check the pics at the bottom of this thread, page 11. Good report pics from Silver Jack and Dallas Divide areas.

http://14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=37217&start=120

Wow, Jason, that's the most comprehensive report I have ever seen, I think. And, it parallels what I saw in the areas I went to.

Twin lakes will be perfect for this weekend, around 70% yesterday. There is still haze today but it hasn't been too thick in the morning which is all that matters. St. Elmo is at peak right now, extremely vibrant. Leaves are dropping, so get there fast! I can't post pics from my iPhone here but I am posting on facebook.com/kinghamphotography

Thanks guys, glad I could help!

Aspens at Piney Lake (north of Vail) are at (or just past) peak - and the haze wasn't TOO bad yesterday. I should have gone back for sunset, but instead choose the Flat Tops.

A few observations:
Horse Ranch Park-still hazy, 40% with some pockets vibrant color.
Ohio Pass- near peak with pockets of trees pass peak, very hazy.
Nelle falls/engineer pass rd- 90% on the lake city side. The trees around the falls are fabulous. And, yes, hazy.

On September 19th my wife and I went over Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah between Spanish Fork and Price. While not at peak, I was surprised how vibrant some of the colors were - especially in light of the dry year. I have not thought of SF canyon as one of the prettier canyons around but there were plenty of trees with great color.

Nathan

Does anyone have any feedback on how Capitol Peak looks? Peak?

Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA

Capitol Peak was very hazy on Thursday and not all that yellow yet.

The storm that will hit late monday through early wednesday should clear out most of the haze and leave decent conditions for the end of the week. at least i hope so since that may be my only opportunity to get out this year!
Snow levels will be high, but there should be some snow on the peaks (above 12K feet).

Thanks Stan for the report- will be heading to the San Juans midweek.

Here's some San Juan info from my friend Jennifer who's there right now:


from cimarron to silver jack res, looking good. still plenty of green, but the yellows and reds are vibrant and about 50% ish overall. the brush also looking particularly brilliant with loads of reds, greens, oranges, rust, and yellows.

silver jack res to owl creek pass looking good - plenty of gold aspen - can't give a percentage but more than 50%, if that helps.

from owl creek pass to ridgway - if i didn't know better, i'd swear it was still summer. mostly green, but a good healthy looking green which is promising. some patches of yellow, but it's like 10%? night and day difference from the other side.

county rd 5, coming along, but still loads of green. golds and oranges up high on the slopes of the sneffels range on eastern side, but predominantly green down low. i dunno - 30% overall? i'm giving it 3 days before i go back.

last dollar (north side) - still lots of greens although as you swing around back, it has a few stands of nice golds abutting big stands of dark summery greens.


I also got some snaps from my friends Mary & Rod, will try to posy a couple later.

From Rod & Mary, shot 9-22-12. From top to bottom: Woods Lake, Fall Creek road on way to Woods, and Wilson Mesa.

Lake city is phenomenal, great colors everywhere. Nellie creek falls is at peak. Capitol city is a bit past peak but still nice. I'm going to spend another day here and head out to kebler tomorrow.

Update: between lake city and creede is almost done, it gets worse as you go east, after slumgullion is almost completely gone, don't waste the drive

North Park is now getting past peak. Poudre & Cameron very nice today (Sun, Sept 23). Hazy all over N Park.

Would people please report on Gambels Oak and Cottonwoods? (Aspen is the end all and be all).

David..I wont be in Lake City until Wednesday....think things will hold till then?
Joe Rogers

Spent the last couple of days in Marble, Crystal City, McClure Pass and Maroon Bells Wilderness Area (didn't want to miss peak colors @ MaBell. lol).

If I had to put a number to each, I'd say Marble, Crystal City, McClure Pass and Maroon Bells area is at 85% peak.

Colors in northern Utah are peaking. Here is a picture from earlier today near Mount Timpanogos

Hearing from some folks that the conditions around Victor/Cripple Creek have improved greatly since I was there last week.

Was up through Independence Pass, Maroon Bells and Castle Creek with my parents last Thurs/Friday so didn't take a lot but here's what I saw.

Independence Pass: Twin Lakes Side, just about peak, really good colors, Aspen side still fairly green near Aspen, some good groves on the way down at about peak.
Castle Creek: First 1/4 section, still very green, middle section about peak and at Ashcroft, it's peak/past peak.
Maroon Bells: Pete Miller summed it up, it's peaking, I think it might start dropping later this week in my opinion.

It was posted on Miranda forum in fall color thread that highway 92 along Black Canyon was fantastic color at this time.
Joe Rogers

Here are yesterday's conditions in Big Tesuque near Santa Fe: nearing peak up high, more green remaining the lower you go. I'd say they're running about a week ahead of normal. The trees are mostly looking pretty nice this year (except the ones just downhill of the road, which always look like hell). I'm hoping to check out some other northern NM locations this weekend. Has anyone been looking around the Pagosa area at all?

I had planned to get up above Santa Fe this past weekend but didn't. Now I wish I had!

I also started a NM colors thread on SummitPost hoping for info: http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/post890890.html. Sounds like the Taos area is looking great right now.

We made it up to Steamboat this weekend. Colors appear to be pretty peak right now. There are some storms in the area so it might knock some leaves off. Found these nice cottonwoods at Rabbit Ears, right where the road forks to Waldo (?)

Close to the west summit of Rabbit Ears, just at the runaway truck ramp, I found this glorious mountainside chock full of color. (The sun was also being filtered by some clouds at the time.) The scrub oaks on Emerald Mtn. and the other mountain to the east of the Boat are CRAZY. My husband's friend described mountain biking on Emerald as "riding through a rainbow."

Today I went to Fish Creek Falls and about 1/3 of the way up Buffalo Pass. (Unfortunately, I was having tire problems and didn't feel comfortable going all the way to the top.)

Sunrise at Maroon Lake on 9/23:

Saw this on Facebook:

Dallas Divide this morning (9/24/12).

One more from up near Crater Lake.

Sunday morning, Aspen. I avoided Maroon Bells because of lack of snow on the peaks.

I'm kicking myself I didn't plan no getting to CO by now - Any recent updates on Dallas Divide, CR 5 & 7, and the Ridgway vicinity (I assume Owl Creek Pass is at peak/past by now).

Thanks in advance!

3 posts up is a link to a photo of Dallas Divide.

Take Phillips link to the Dallas Divide photo on 9/24 and add LOTS of snow to the Sneffels Range peaks for the morning of 9/25.
Ditto for the Teluride side.
Should be a great week/weekend in the San Juans.

Man I wanna be there NOW!!! But gotta work tomorrow. Hope the snow doesn't melt by Thurs!!

Woo hoo! I'm off the leash this weekend. Wish I could get out by Thur, but I'll take what I can get.
Watch for my Brown-orange vanagon, and stop by to say hi. I'll probably be in the San Juans, also.

Just left kebler pass. color very good. Near peak. 90 percent turned 5 percent green 5 percent fallen.

Killing me!

I get a chance this weekend, then catch the late spots during next week. Snow looks great in pix from friends who live west of Durango.

Was in the Cripple Creek and Victor area today. Some areas, have gone past peak and dropped their leaves, but many areas are still peak or approaching peak. I think peak will be this weekend, so don't delay.

Here are some more updates from me, this is an iPhone shot, more images on my blog http://www.mountainskyphotography.com/blog.html

September 23rd:
HWY 82 to independence pass, peak

September 24th:
Maroon Bells, peak
Maroon Creek Rd, peak but some green left
Castle Creek Rd, almost peak
Ashcroft, peak with one grove past
Cathedral Lake Trail View, past peak but still worth shooting.
Capitol Peak, peak colors & snow

September 25th:
Mt. Sopris, 80%
Carbondale, cottonwoods 70%
Crystal River, cottonwoods 90%, aspens 70%
Redstone, 70 %
Hays Creek Falls, enough water to be worth shooting in overcast light
McClure Pass, South/West side 50%, east side 50%
Marble, 80%
Crystal Mill, 90%

September 26th:
Cold weather is here and leaves are falling fast around Aspen above 9000ft.
Maroon Bells, past peak but still good.
Maroon Creek Rd, past peak but there are still some good groves and green trees.

County Road 7 just past peak. County Road 9 good, just before peak, two-thirds yellow, one third green for best views. Dallas Divide looks good, mix of green and gold. Silver Jack near peak. West side of Owl Creek still mostly green.

FYI...currently raining in Ridgway and socked in. Anticipate the peaks will have decent amount of snow by morning.

For the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, this would be the weekend for Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin. For the Hart Prairie/Snowbowl/south side of the Peaks, it is still mostly green.

Here is a quick edit from last night at Locket Meadow on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. The large green aspen area in the distant center went from this green to barren in 4 days last year. The furthest gold (right center) is Inner Basin. I plan on hiking to the basin this evening and tomorrow morning, as I did not hike up there last evening.

I am curious as to if there is any snow left around Sneffels? I can't go until after work tomorrow, so I am really hoping for some left for pics this weekend. Anyone down there have the 411? Thanks, Josh

When I passed through there on Wednesday, all the upper peaks around Ridgway / Ouray area looked to have some snow on 'em.

Josh,
Yep, still plenty of snow on Sneffels as of tonight. Been a struggle to get shots without the peaks draped in clouds, but when the do -spectacular. Highly recommend cty rd 7. Ya need to go almost to end where you will find aspen in peak color.

Pretty much everything in the Telluride area is around peak... Fall Creek, Wilson Mesa, Last Dollar, etc. All looking really great!

Yesterday it looked like the mountains around here had quite a bit of snow on the higher peaks, but now it's totally sunny so it might not last long...

Spent the day in the Cuchara Pass area. It will peak this weekend. Some areas area already past peak, some not quite, but the vast majority is peaking right now.

Highway 7 (Peak to Peak Hwy) between Nederland and Estes Park has just past its peak a few days ago. There's still some good color but it won't last long.

(iPhone pano of Silver Jack Reservoir)
More images on my blog

September 26th:
Redstone, cottonwoods peak, aspens 50%
McClure pass, east side 60%, west side 50%
Marcellina Mountain, 50-60%
West Beckwith, 50%
East Beckwith, peak
Lost Lake Slough, Peak but very low water levels
Dollar Lake, Past Peak
Beautiful snow capped mountains everywhere, hike 3 Lakes trail in rain/snowstorm

September 27th:
Some snow melted overnight
East Beckwith Beaver Pond View, peak
The Dyke, 90%
The most orange and red aspens I've seen on CR-12
Kebler Pass, west side peak, east side past peak
Ohio Pass, peak
CR-737, 70%
Gunnison, cottonwoods are peak
Big Cimarron Rd, 80%
Silver Jack Reservoir, peak or slightly past
Jackson Station, slightly past peak
Pinnacle Ridge, slightly past peak
Owl Creek Pass, 85%
Cimarron ridge, 40%
Vista Point view of Chimney Rock, Courthouse and Turret Ridge 20%

September 28th:
CR-7 near Ridgway, it's a mixed bag, most of the brush is still
changing, aspens are about 80% with some large stands already bare,
great snow on Sneffels and the surrounding peaks
Private Pond on CR-7, background aspens peak with snow on the
mountains and good foreground wildflowers
Double RL Ranch view near CR-9, aspens mixed with mostly yellow and
some bare/green, cottonwoods just starting to change
Dallas Divide Pullout view, brush 50%, aspens 70% with some bare, good
snow on the peaks
Last Dollar Road, near Dallas Divide 50%, approaching top from north
50-70%, view looking south from top slightly past peak but still some
green, forest near scree fields is peak but undergrowth is still
pretty clean
Airport Rd in Telluride, 70%
Telluride, almost peak
Bridal Veil Falls, peak
Mesa north of Delta, 60-80%
McClure Pass, west side 55%, east side 70% with a few bare patches

I was just out at Hamilton Mesa in the Pecos Wilderness (New Mexico): some good color, but the upper Pecos has a ways to go. I'd say it's around 30% in the aspens. The riparian trees and oaks in the Pecos canyon were looking very nice.

For those interested in Lockett meadow near flagstaff, as Doug K informed us the leaves are peaking right now and from my observations the trees closest to the inner basin are beginning to fall quick. However, if your swinging through the lower aspens should be burning with color. To give an idea, based on Doug's image, the lower grove of aspens that appear slightly yellow/lime are now all completely gold. Not sure if I got anything original, but did get plenty of the cliche looking up aspen shots. Boring blue skies all day.

CENTRAL UTAH:

Not likely where many other photographers are headed, but I thought I'd put in my $0.02 of information.

Maple Canyon is in fine form, and at 40-50%. Next weekend will probably be peak.

The Mount Nebo Scenic Loop Road shows decent maples at the lower elevations, but many are pale in color. Not nearly as vivid as a good year. Surprisingly, many aspens at the higher elevations are still green. I'd estimate about 30% are still green. Again, next weekend will likely be peak with the following weekend possible for some late-stage work.

The Alpine Loop behind Timpanogos is similar to the Mount Nebo loop: good maples down lower, but the aspens up high surprisingly green compared to where I'd expect them.

The Fairview/Huntington road (UT 31) over the Wasatch Plateau is at peak. Still some green around the edges and at middle elevations, but plenty of aspens at the top have started dropping already. Probably only of interest to the locals, though... Maples at the western base of the Plateau along highway 89 are past peak, but there's still color to be found, and even still some green in some individual trees.

I'm not sure what to make of the fall yet. We've been getting some rain and even thunderstorms recently, which I would consider very late for the season. After our dry summer, it almost seems like some trees are trying to hold out and squeeze in the last of the growing season, while others have already given up and dropped their leaves. I will say that it seems more heterogeneous than previous years, making it difficult to find big sections of color without any green intruding.

My guess at this point is that Zion will turn about the normal time, but I haven't been down there yet this season.

Best aspen cluster I could find along the Nebo Loop road, at about 8000'. Note the greens. Two or three in the afternoon to catch the backlighting.

Best maples I could find this weekend; just above Sundance. Four-thirty or five in the afternoon, just before the sun dropped behind the ridgeline.

Many shots had some greens still in them. Personally, that bothers me aesthetically in my images, so I try to crop down to the "best" parts. If you want to head up behind Timpanogos, I would say that this is the week to go.

Just returned to Virginia from 4 days shooting Ridgway - Telluride:
Snow still on some peaks but it has melted considerably from midweek.
CR 7: peak color in some large stands on east and west side of valley but also some large bare ones;
CR 9: the last half mile below entrance into the Uncompahgre Forest is mostly peak and was some of the best color I saw
Last Dollar: mostly peak; a few stands still showed some green; west side was best; an iphone photo is here:
Wilson Mesa - past peak mostly
Woods Lake - peak; a few bare stands on road to Lake
Telluride: peak; not many if any bare areas yet

Good meeting some of you during my trip!

I just got home after 12 days. My last stop was Curchara, the trees around La Veta are mostly green, the scrub oak in curchara valley are at peak and the aspen at higher elevations are past peak. What a great year it was and it was awesome to meet so many NPNers out there! I'm hearing there may be a system coming in at the end of the week that could bring more snow, so the season may not be quite over yet!

I just spoke with a friend who was on the North Kaibab outside of the GCNP this past weekend. He said the aspens along DeMotte Park/AZ 67are a mixed bag, some yellow, some green and some fallen.

The Coconino NF in AZ has started their fall colors page
Coconino NF

From my blog, more images there:

"This is most likely my last big update of the season as I'm back home after 8 more days on the road. While most areas are past peak or just past there is still plenty of color to be found, especially on the ridges east of Ridgway. I might make one more short trip out if the mountains get any significant snowfall but I'm heading to the midwest & east coast for 2 weeks of October. It's been an amazing season this year with some of the strongest color I've seen even if a little early; I've never seen so many vibrant red and orange aspen leaves in Colorado.

If you still plan on heading out for fall colors, and I definitely recommend it if you haven't yet, don't forget to pick up a copy of my eBook Colorado's Fall Colors. It covers 39 fall photography locations in Colorado including 14 in the San Juans. Good luck with the rest of the season and be sure to check back for my finished photographs from this autumn.

These are iPhone shots and remember percentage change estimates are subjective."

September 29th:
Most of the snow is melted from Mt. Sopris
HWY 133 Carbondale to Redstone, almost peak
McClure Pass, east side almost peak with less snow on the peaks, west
side 70% with some bare spots
CR-265 viewpoint, 60%, this would be a great sunset location
FR-701, view east from top 80%
Electric Mountain Lodge, peak

September 30th:
CR-9 near Ridgway, peak
Dallas Divide, peak
Woods Lake, past peak
Beaver Park, past peak
Wilson Mesa, past peak
Sunshine Mesa, past peak

October 1st:
Last Dollar Rd past peak, view from top past peak
Telluride, slightly past peak
Dallas Divide, peak or slightly past
There is still good snow on Mount Sneffels and the surrounding mountains
Cimarron Ridge, Turret Ridge, Chimney Rock & Courthouse 70%
Montrose to Blue Mesa, aspens & cottonwoods peak
Ohio Pass, past peak
Monarch Pass, west side past peak, east past peak halfway to bare
South Park, past peak halfway to bare
Fairplay, almost bare
Kenosha Pass, mostly bare

Pagosa Springs Area: Peak or will peak in the next few days.

Hello from a CSNP'er.
Finally after 23 years of teaching I have retired and will be able to shoot the Aspens this next week!
Question:How's the color in the Ridgway area? I'm traveling from Denver through Gunnison if that spurs any Ideas.

Thanks in Advance
Rod

Better get there (Ridgway) quick! Cty Rd 5 is at peak. Cty Rd 7 is a little past peak. Silver Jack is a little past peak. Don't know about Cty Rd 9 but I would guess it is just past peak.

Does anyone have information on the progress of fall color in Zion area?

Just travelled from Moab to the San Juans Tuesday 10/2

La Sals - East side (Beaver Lake / La Sal Pass) has some very nice areas, some orange, and some bare areas. Wind was picking up and raining leaves but could be nice for another few day.

Woods Lake - Mix of Yellow bands and bare areas. Not really worth the trip.

Last Dollar Telluride Sde - Looked pretty good still.

I am presently in Ouray and heading back up to Ridgway and further north on the Grand Junction area on Wednesday 10/3


Robert -- Typically Zion is Cottonwoods, Oaks, Maples and peaks around early November. I have no current report but will check with some friends who went to Zion today after our Moab weekend.

Northern New Mexico update: It looks like the high-altitude groves on the west slopes of the Sangres are at or passing peak, with bare areas showing up at the top elevations. The upper Pecos Valley (Hamilton Mesa area) was around 35-40% on Saturday, should be great this weekend. The Pecos Canyon had beautiful colors in the oaks and undergrowth. The Tusas Mountains east of Chama (Hwy 64 and forest roads near the CO border) are gorgeous, 40-50% changed, with lots of oranges and reds but a good reservoir of green still to change; that area should be great for another week or so too. Lots of nice oak color on Hwy 64 too. The northern Jemez had some nice groves, but less change and maybe somewhat duller colors up there. Cottonwoods in the Chama valley are just starting, maybe 5%.

I was in Ridgway CR 5 this morning. Wonderful color. Some small gray patches mostly far back.. White puffy clouds coming in. But also that is bringing a breeze and its raining leaves. Doubt it will be this good by weekend. Heading to Owl next.

Notice to anyone at Woods Lake in the past day or two (10/2-10/3). I met a photographer who is looking for a camera bag he left there. Email or message me and I can pass along any information, including identifying material. Please pass along to any of the other photographers who may have been there. He is a reader of RMNP and it would be nice to get his bag back.

Hey Karl,
Thanks for the report. Where or what is Owl?

If I got the name right, its an area east of Ridgway. Chimney Rock, etc. I am looking it right now from 520 Burger in Ridgway.

Here's a view of the Raggeds from the west side of Kebler Pass last Saturday (Sept 29).
Looks as if there should still be plenty of color left for this weekend.

On the other hand, the east side of Kebler and the Crested Butte area are way past peak.
But still some interesting patches of color left among the bare trees.

Here is a pic from CR 5 yesterday.

Other notes - yeah, I meant Owl Creek Pass. Looking very nice up there. I was up there yesterday afternoon but I got a bit sick (food poisoning) and now in Ouray trying to figure out next step.

Also, the photographer who lost his camera bag did get a call from someone who found it. Yeah!

Anything in NM? I see some reports. Heading to Albuquerque Saturday.

Heh, I am so out of it, I forgot to attach the pic. Heading down to Durango just to get further, maybe Pagosa Springs next.

One more from CR 5 yesterday 10/3

Karl, feel free to drop me a line (frishmanphoto at gmail) and I'll try and share my best guesses on New Mexico conditions. There are definitely good opportunities to be had down here. I haven't heard any reliable reports from the Sandias near ABQ, but my educated guess is that the aspens up high will be at something like 25-40%, with possibly some nice oak colors a little lower. You should definitely be able to find good stuff in the Pagosa/Chama area too, the mountains east of Chama were around 50% and looking great last weekend.

The NM/AZ Forest Service conditions page should update tomorrow, which might be helpful, though I don't find that their updates are very reliable (especially Santa Fe NF, which is truly terrible at providing good info of any kind).

Thanks Jackson.

Today - Ouray to Molas Pass is essentially all gray, done; except for some nice groves in the canyon before the switchbacks/plow memorial. Molas Pass to Coal Bank Pass gets better. And down bt Purgatory Ski Area (where I am presently), its looking fairly good. Wonderful view from my offseason cheap room!

For Robert Hutson, I got a text report from friends visiting Zion on Tuesday/Wednesday - "Up High. I-70 Good. Fish Lake area. Cottonwoods in Zion nearing peak." I do not know if he is referring to the main canyon or the back area to the north.

Recovering from whatever I had. Tomorrow should be more productive.

Well, I'm seeing some reports that indicate I was pessimistic and that the Sandias are probably pretty prime right now. I may have to try and get down there for an evening. Manzanos may be pretty good too.

Hey Jackson,

How are things looking at Big Tesuque/Aspen Vista for tomorrow?? Peak? Past Peak? Forget it?

Definitely past peak, but probably still worthwhile. From town it looks like the upper sections have lost a lot of leaves, big bare patches up high, but there's still quite a good amount of yellow down lower. I'd say it's worth a try if Big T is what fits into your schedule. But personally, if my schedule permitted, I'd be looking at Cruces Basin, Hamilton Mesa or the Sandias as better choices this weekend.

Today - Purgatory / Durango Mountain Resort down to Electra Lake very nice. Also rode out to just north of Pagosa Springs and it looks good along that road too. From a distance, the band of Aspens from Durango on east very yellow and visible.

Heading into New Mexico next. Note that if you are on that direction, the Hot Air Balloon Festival begins this weekend. Expect no vacancy.

Thanks Jackson for the NM update.

San Francisco Peaks- Flagstaff, AZ
I took a quick drive to SnowBowl this Friday evening. Aspen Corner is looking good. The large groves north of the lower parking lot at SnowBowl are prime- not going to get any better. Hart Prairie looks to be peak also. The next few days will be choice.

Here is a shot taken yesterday afternoon with a P&S from the bottom of the kiddie run at SnowBowl.

Saturday I came through Pagosa Springs, Chama, Santa Fe, onto Albuquerque. Pagaso Springs to Chama was lovely. I felt Chama on to the Pine area was a bit past peak. And by Santa Fe the clouds were thick. I could see the Aspen bands and they were yellow and looking good but very dark due the weather.

Last night, a nce mex dinner at the Albuquerque Tram House with a friend - view of the Balloon Fiesta fireworks skow. And this morning - Wow. The Hot Air Balloon Festival is something to enjoy. Got there pre-dawn for the the Dawn Patrol launch and a bunch of flame-glow balloons hit the sky before the main ascension.

So I am done for this phase of Fall. I'll be doing Zion over several weekends in coming weeks. I'll report then. Thanks everyone for helping guide on this journey!

We ventured up to the Grand Mesa to see if there was any color left. We did some exploring on the Collbran side. There was a lot of color on the highway which follows the creek, and a little color around Old Man Mountain, but not a lot. Further up the road toward the top, the trees were all naked.

This was at the national forest boundary.

My hubby wasn't too excited about trying to go toward McClure Pass, so we followed the road back to the visitor's center, onto 65, then down Lands End Rd. Surprisingly, still some color on the west side, even some green mixed in. Further south (around the ridge, where you can't see) there is a nice swath of color, but we didn't have time to explore further.

Coming down Lands End Rd.

Thanks for the report on Zion. I'm planning on being there the first week in November. Hope I'm not too late. My first trip there.

>>Thanks for the report on Zion. I'm planning on being there the first week in November. Hope I'm not too late. My first trip there. <<

I think you'll be ok. If there is timing @ Zion, it comes down to the whether the Oaks, Maples, or Cottonwoods are peaking. The nice thing about hitting Zion in November is that you are then free to drive the main canyon. Before then, its mandatory shuttle bus. If I can suggest one bit of very useful photo equipment for Zion - its wet gear up to knee high. I got NEOS (overshoes). Even if you dont go full out and trek the Virgin Narrows, being able to walk into the shallower parts of the river in the main canyon is very handy. And in November, forget the sandals :)

Quickie report from my drive down I-40 this Monday morning back home to Vegas after overnighting in Holbrook.

Yep, the Aspens look good in Flagstaff. And I noticed a very nice dome of Aspens atop Bill Williams Mountain just south of Williams AZ. I dont know if there are other Aspen areas in that region.

+1 for reports from Zion. I'll be in Vegas next week (Oct 15-17) for a work conference and might drive up for a quick trip.

I *might* take a ride up to Zion this weekend just to assess what is happening.

Scott - if you want to get some coffee somewhere while you are in Vegas, drop me a line.

I'm hoping to hike the Narrows. Plan to rent equipment for that.
Good Idea about wading streams. Had not thought of that. I'll take some waders (no sandals) for the shallow part of the river or neos overshoes. I'm really looking foward to it.

The overlook above Pagosa was peaking when I drove over yesterday.

Has anyone been to Roxborough SP recently ? Too early, or too late for the aspen/oak color ?

Just back from Zion National Park...

The Main Virgin River Canyon is almost all green all the way to the Narrows (I went no further than a few hundred yards past Temple). I tried hard to find fall - some cottonwoods had a lighter green cast with a few more exposed having a more yellow cast on top. I did see trees with a handful of yellow leaves on some limbs. Oaks and Maples - even in places I expect to see change - were still as green as ever. The exception - I did see one tree south of Angels Landing that was all yellow but it had a white bark from my view from the road (stray Aspen? or is there Birch?) Yeah, this was not a fall day in the canyon.

Kolob Canyon has a handful of yellow cottonwoods and some past peak pale-red looking Maples. This is a 6000' elevation area, versus the 4000' elevation areas of the canyon. From this, I suspect upper areas of Zion (Subway, etc) maybe showing color but thats a third route from the town of Virgin I did not pursue today.

Had a nice dinner in south Springdale (P88) overlooking a farm. I will be back for three successive weekends beginning last weekend in October.

Re: color in Zion - with remarkable regularity, Zion's color usually peaks around November 10. It's one of the few locations in the US and Canada that can consistently be counted on regarding peak timing. Others are the shores of Lake Superior and Nova Scotia.

Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA

Not sure that it matters but I'd like to know what you find the last weekend in October. I plan to be there the first weekend in November.

Robert, All,

I will be in Zion this weekend. Last night I got a quick report from the Lodge I stay at (near the gate) and they reported it remains mostly green, with temperatures finally dropping into the 30's the past few nights. The two webcams at the south lower end of the canyon bear that out. What I do not know is how the color may be playing out near the North / Narrows end where it is substantially higher in elevation. I am generally hoping to catch some peak Maples in the next 10 days. I'll try to give a first hand report Saturday night or Sunday.

My Zion Natl Park Report for Saturday 10/27.

Springdale Gate - 5%
SR-9 Sunset Bridge - 10%
Mid Canyon (Patriarchs, Grotto)- 25%
Upper Canyon (Temple of Sinawava/Narrows) - 50%

SR-9 East of Tunnel - Peak Maples, mostly Peak Cottonwoods, Oaks look good too. The maples are very red!

As always, there are some trees that are fully peak, and some mostly green ones.

Not to disagree too much with Karl, but I was also down in Zion for the weekend. My estimates are similar but not exactly the same. I'd put the lower canyon at 5-10%, the middle canyon at 10-15%, and the Temple of Sinawava at 20-25%. To reconcile my numbers with Karl's, I would say that about 50% of the Upper Canyon is starting to turn, but I would say that it's only 20-25% turned. Still lots of green up there.

I found the Checkerboard Mesa area to be a mixed bag, with many oaks going straight to brown and falling off. Individual maples are at peak, with some excellent single trees. Some are still green, though, and many of the maples are pale and "papery", with washed-out colors. I found it quite difficult to put together any large-scale sweeping compositions and instead focused on tight shots.

I took a brief drive into Kolob Canyon on the way home and found it totally past peak.

On hearsay, another photographer told me that last weekend (10/23) was peak for the Subway. I didn't go down there myself.

West Fork of Oak Creek, Sunday Oct 28
I spent the day up West Fork and found it to be a mixed bag. The leaves are down where Peter C took his arch shot, and above the subway section at the long pool. Two sections are peak: 1) the section at on the right at the fourth creek crossing, and about 2 miles up the trail on the left, beyond the arch after the next creek crossing, where there are lotsa reds. Most of the oaks seemed to be a yellow brown.

Oak Creek Canyon- sycamores along Oak Creek towards Sedona are turning. The upper stretches look good, while those at Midgeley Bridge are just starting. The tall poplars at Cave Springs are yellow.

I definitely agree with Mark that the Checkerboard area was a tight shot area. I might have painted too glorious a situation for vista shooters. I spent most of the time down in the sheltered riverbed about a mile down from the top; down to just east of the short tunnel and was generally happy.

I'll defer to Mark's numbers in the main canyon. In any event it was not spectacular and I do not think anyone missed anything. I was mentally thinking at least 10 days before the mid to lower canyon is ready. The good news is then it will be November -
and I can drive into the main canyon.

I ended up shooting in the Virgin Narrows beyond the walking trail up to the third river crossing; and extensive time at Sinawava where I am working on a composition.

Snow is coming this weekend. Zion, Bryce, the San Juans, probably elsewhere...