SW Colorado fall colors update

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Bill Hilton - 19 Sep 2003 23:14 GMT

Drove across Colorado yesterday and today, skirting the San Juans and traveling
east on 50. In summary, the San Juans are still green, but there were nice
aspen colors on either side of Monarch Pass. Details below.

Sept 18 ... Dolores River canyon drive from Stoner to Rico had color in the
riverbed from cottonwoods and similar riverside trees changing to yellow.
Aspens on the ridges had not yet changed and looked a bit pale, perhaps not
enough moisture on this side of the drainage?

Rico to Telluride, over Lizard Head pass (10,900 ft) had fewer cottonwoods
changing due to elevation, and the only aspen yellow we saw was from LH pass,
high above the pass to the north near Trout Lake where a few groves were just
starting to shift to yellow. This entire area is relatively dormant so far.
The aspens closer to Telluride west of Ophir Pass road were much darker green
than the ones near Stoner so likely had more moisture and will probably look
great when they turn. Very little snow left on the peaks from the 10" storm
last week. I'd guess Telluride is a week from peak color.

Dallas Divide had a few patches starting to go yellow but still early. A bit
more snow on the north face of the Sneffels Range. Still early for color.
Didn't go over Owl Creek Pass but from Dallas Divide the groves looked very
green.

Sept 19 ... Between Montrose and Gunnison there were several groves that had
turned yellow already. I was surprised by this but noticed the early AM temp
was 27 F so maybe there's a micro-clime there conducive for early colors.

Best aspens we saw were on either side of Monarch Pass, especially the east
side near Monarch Lodge (about 20 miles west of Salida). These groves aren't
as scenic for my tastes as those closer to Telluride and Ouray since they lack
the 14,000 ft. peak backdrops, but for raw color right now this was the place
to be.

Heading to Aspen, Crested Butte, Ouray and Telluride next week, if I can get
'net access I'll keep you posted. I was going to head west on 160 for Wolf
Creek Pass and Lake City but I have a hunch it's better north of there now so
will first try Aspen and CB instead.

Bill

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Roger N. Clark - 20 Sep 2003 00:56 GMT

Today, Sept. 19, I went to Rocky Mountain National Park
and surveyed the Front Range between Denver and Estes Park.
Simple report: less than 10% change. More surprising
was there is very little elevation effect, meaning higher
elevations aren't changing sooner than lower elevations.
Rather, it seems that change is on a stand by stand basis.
Two years ago by this time, the leaves were mostly off the
trees and last year many areas near peak.

Some stands, both high and low elevations (6,000 to
higher than 10,000 feet) now are as green as would be in
early August. Others, both high and low elevation are
pale green, so will turn soon.

Bill described some stands in southwest Colorado as looking
pale. This is normal and not necessarily a sign of poor
colors to come. In the change from green to yellow, the
chlorophyll must go away so the leaves turn pale before the
yellow shows up. Actually, the yellow is always there just
masked by the strong chlorophyll absorption. (This is out of
my field of expertise, so while I know the basics are
correct, I may have some details not right. Like is there
a chemical change accompanying the loss of chlorophyll that
contributes to color?.)

There are many stands in the Colorado Front Range that look
pale, so should change soon. But they were pale 2 weeks ago,
so who knows when they will turn. Also, if we get really
cold weather during this pale stage, the leaves will
just turn brown, at least according to some experts I've
talked to. Fortunately, the forecast for the next week
looks warm. Then, of course, disease and stress can make the
aspens turn brown.

In RMNP, there was some snow dusting on north facing slopes
from recent storms. South facing slopes are brown.

Also, the elk are starting their rut. Many groups near the
roads. Often no need for anything longer than 300mm.

Roger

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Bill Hilton - 22 Sep 2003 02:46 GMT

Drove across central Colo today (Sept 21), stopping in Aspen. Colors are much
further along here than in the Telluride area report from a few days ago.

The classic shot of Maroon Lake w/ the mountain behind it looks pretty good
right now, some snow still on the peak and the aspens are about 50% turned.
Should be great the next few days.

Best place we saw was up Castle Creek Rd. to Ashcroft just north of Aspen (next
drainage east from Maroon Bells road). About 1/3 the aspens had changed and in
several groves the entire hillside was bright yellow, the most and best we've
seen this year to date. The canyon runs north-south so you can shoot early and
late with backlit aspens on one side and front lit aspens on the other side of
the road.

Drove over Independence Pass to reach Aspen, the groves around Twin Lakes are
starting to light up nicely, maybe 20% turned. Mountains west of Buena Vista
were still not changing much.

For the Aspen area this looks like the week ... we'll be here another night and
then to Crested Butte, so will report on Kebler Pass and McClure Pass if we get
a modem connection. Then to Ouray and Telluride.

Bill

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