FALL COLOR IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO-THE GOLDEN ASPEN
The beautiful Aspen tree, although it grows in a number of states, seems to be very special to those of us who live in the state of Colorado. The quaking leaves of summer provide shade from the summer sun and provide protection for our state flower, the Columbine. We all rejoice in the fall when the beautiful leaves turn their vibrant shade of gold but we also have quiet reservations knowing that it signals the end of the glorious summer season.
Late September in southern Colorado is kind of guessing game as to when peak color will happen. It is always within a week one way or the other but you just never know. When it does occur it only last about a week before the inevitable cold front passes thru with the wind that takes the golden color away. We just need to enjoy it while we can.
Those of us who have lived here awhile have our special patches of Aspen that we watch each day to help us make our own guess as to when the best time will happen. There are hundreds of articles written each year about the best places to go to see the color. We have a few places here around Lake City that we feel are worth taking the time to see.
The drive up Slumgullion pass is always spectacular especially looking over Lake San Cristobal. If the tops of the mountains behind the lake have a snow covering and the Lake has its incredible blue color of fall you will never see a more beautiful sight. The drive toward Creed at least as far as North Clear Creek Falls is always beautiful. One little known drive is to take the Deer Lakes road as far as Cathedral and then take the little road to highway 114. It is seldom traveled but in the fall it is incredible. The drive to Sherman is always beautiful and continuing to American basin if the road is still open offers beautiful color. Capitol City is always splendid with fall color and the drive from Lake City is beautiful.
In our area a few of the more popular drives in the state is Dallas Divide and Lizard Head Pass leaving from the town of Ridgeway, located south of Montrose. Another popular drive is Kebler Pass leaving from the town of Crested Butte. I took the drive over Kebler several times last summer and Gunnison County has done a great job on county Rd. 12. It is a comfortable and spectacular drive.
When the color of the glorious Aspen is in full bloom it is very difficult to find a drive in Western Colorado that is not spectacular.