Posted by Angela Classen on September 6, 2012 at 1:09 AM
Looks like I might be heading to Steamboat Springs 9/22-9/24. I've never been there and would appreciate any info on where to shoot fall colors up that direction. I'll probably be in a Honda Civic so won't be able to do any gnarly 4WD roads.
Posted by Joe Rogers on September 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Rod Hanna should be able to help you.
Joe Rogers
Posted by David Kingham on September 6, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Posted by Glenn Randall on September 6, 2012 at 3:05 PM
The west side of Buffalo Pass has a beautiful valley full of aspen that get near moment-of-sunset light. No big peaks in the background, but the color can be gorgeous right near sunset. The east side of the pass has aspen, but has less potential, in my opinion.
Posted by Glenn Randall on September 6, 2012 at 3:10 PM
I should have mentioned that this is basically road shooting. No need to hike to get the view seen above. I can't remember exactly how far up the pass you need to drive, but this view will be obvious. When I was there six or eight years ago, the road was fine for a 2wd vehicle.
Posted by Grant Collier on September 6, 2012 at 5:45 PM
Fish Creek Falls is always a good option.
Posted by Grant Collier on September 6, 2012 at 5:47 PM
And the drive to Trappers Lake has fall colors all along it (though this is a longer drive).
Posted by Angela Classen on September 6, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys! I'll be doing some research on these areas. Keep the ideas coming!
Posted by Bill Speaks on September 6, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Angela,
I was up by Steamboat Lake over this past weekend. Many of the trails into Zirkel have beetle kill, but we had a wonderful hike up Mad Creek, off highway 129 West of Steamboat. After walking above a beautiful spruce lined canyon for about 1.5 miles, you start to see the aspen stands and some old barns/cabins. All the trees were pretty healthy looking and beautiful along the hillsides. The aspen at the highest elevation were just starting to change. If you go on about another mile, the view opens across a beautiful meadow looking back toward the Flat Tops. It's definitely on my list for a return trip.
As an aside, it also rained quite a bit for a couple of nights. Hopefully it will help keep the trees healthy!
Posted by Scott Bideau on September 6, 2012 at 10:26 PM
On the decent into the valley, you'll see a great view of Catamount lake with some aspens in the foreground just near the road. There are several places to park alongside the highway and then walk to a great view on the other side of the concrete barrier to stay safe.
You can easily make it up Buff Pass in your civic, just take it slow.
Head out on Elk River road (north towards Clark) and you'll find lots of cottonwoods lining the river to shoot.
Dunkley and Ripley pass in the Flat Tops are also great, but with your car choice, you might want to stay closer to town since the options are still plenty.
Posted by Patrick Nixon on September 7, 2012 at 9:32 PM
Steamboat is a wonderful photo area. I've been visiting there (timeshare) 2-3 weeks per year for 10 years and I believe I've only touched the surface of available images. There are so many beautiful scenes that I have found it necessary to concentrate for 2-3 days in one direction and area at a time out of Steamboat rather than drive in scattered directions to numerous areas. See my portfolio which contains many Steamboat images.
Be sure to take the Flat Tops Scenic Byway NW out of Yampa to Dunkley Pass and about 5 miles beyond. You can get a free map and directions at the Ranger Station in Yampa. The view from the picnic table just up the hill to the left at the top of Dunkley Pass can be spectacular.
There is also an interesting side trip to Crosho Lake on County road 15 off the Byway about 5 mi NW from Yampa.
And the Bear River more SW and directly W from Yampa.
Discussion
10 repliesJoe Rogers
I was up by Steamboat Lake over this past weekend. Many of the trails into Zirkel have beetle kill, but we had a wonderful hike up Mad Creek, off highway 129 West of Steamboat. After walking above a beautiful spruce lined canyon for about 1.5 miles, you start to see the aspen stands and some old barns/cabins. All the trees were pretty healthy looking and beautiful along the hillsides. The aspen at the highest elevation were just starting to change. If you go on about another mile, the view opens across a beautiful meadow looking back toward the Flat Tops. It's definitely on my list for a return trip.
As an aside, it also rained quite a bit for a couple of nights. Hopefully it will help keep the trees healthy!
On the decent into the valley, you'll see a great view of Catamount lake with some aspens in the foreground just near the road. There are several places to park alongside the highway and then walk to a great view on the other side of the concrete barrier to stay safe.
Once in town, Rita Valentine park offers a great view of the resort colors: http://photos.scottbideauphotography.com/colorado/h23bdef2c#h23bdef2c
Buff Pass is great for on-road shooting, and there aren't normally many photogs there (it's a ghost town compared to Maroon Lake).
Rainbow Ridge (on Buff Pass) http://photos.scottbideauphotography.com/colorado/he7e6d79#he7e6d79
You can easily make it up Buff Pass in your civic, just take it slow.
Head out on Elk River road (north towards Clark) and you'll find lots of cottonwoods lining the river to shoot.
Dunkley and Ripley pass in the Flat Tops are also great, but with your car choice, you might want to stay closer to town since the options are still plenty.
Be sure to take the Flat Tops Scenic Byway NW out of Yampa to Dunkley Pass and about 5 miles beyond. You can get a free map and directions at the Ranger Station in Yampa. The view from the picnic table just up the hill to the left at the top of Dunkley Pass can be spectacular.
There is also an interesting side trip to Crosho Lake on County road 15 off the Byway about 5 mi NW from Yampa.
And the Bear River more SW and directly W from Yampa.