Natural History Wanderings

The Rocky Mt. Nature Photographers Forum has a number of color reports and photos for the last few days.  Here are a few highlights posted between 10/1 and 10 /3/2013

• 10/3/13 Hwy 67 from Divide (US24) to Cripple Creek is anywhere from 50-100% in color, and FR383 (Crags) looks awesome, as does the Crags Trail. I expect the entire area to be 100% by the weekend, however, I’m not sure what the cold front that’s expected on Thursday-Friday will do. We’re not expected to get much, if any snow.
  A co-worker in Cuchara says Hwy12 through Cuchara and up to the pass is only at around 35% (WAY behind schedule), but he says what has turned looks great.
• 10/2/13County Road 5. has progressed nicely over the last few days and should be good this weekend.
  County road 7 and 9 are also looking good. 50 to 60 percent at the higher elevations.
  Color around Silver Jack Reservoir is 60 percent plus .
• 10/2/13  backcountry roads of rd265. It’s located at the bottom of McClure Pass where a sign reads “Colbran.”. Just spent three days up there, now refueling in Carbondale. Road 265 is about 35% but there’s huge areas going 50-60% and virtually all aspen trees look alive and healthy. It’s my opinion that 265 and all of its dirt road tributaries deliver the best bang for your buck.
  South side of McClure shaping up very well. Will peak in a fee days. The leaves over there look fantastic.

• 10/2/13 Latest and Longest Season Ever. Yup, seems to me from what I’m seeing that the colors are 10 days to two weeks late. And slow to turn and not turning evenly—within a few hundred yards there’ll be gold, green, and red trees. But when they turn, oh my, the colors for the most part are saturated and brilliant. Up in my neck of the words of Northwest Colorado, it will be prime time through the weekend—Flat Tops, Hahns Peak, Buffalo Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, Croshoe Lake, Oak Creek Canyon are looking varied and great. I saw the same situation this past weekend in the Aspen area and I think the Maroon Lake road and Ashcroft area, as well as Prince Creek Road and West Sopris Road, will be at peak with plenty of color.
• 10/2/13 color about Emigrant Pass along I-70 into Richfield, and onward along the tops of mountains as far as Beaver on the I-15. Some color in the high ridges near Cedar City. Green at Kanarraville and Kolob Canyon.; not that I would expect color there on Oct 1.
• 10/1/13 The Sangres around Truchas and Santa Fe appear to be about 60%. The higher elevations are mostly yellow whereas lower down they are mostly green.
• 10/1/13 the cottonwoods are doing really well, especially Crested Butte area. A
  The area around the Henderson mine near Berthoud pass was outstanding on Sunday. As was the Breckenridge areas. French creek was very very good.

Go to Rocky Mt. Nature Photographers Forum to see photos and more reports.