Natural History Wanderings

Rio Grande National Forest reports

There will always be pockets of beautiful fall color to be found in the mountains and foothills that surround the San Luis Valley and along the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers.  Generally, the aspen begin to change up river of Wagon Wheel Gap about a week before the mountains that surround the San Luis Valley.  And the aspen in Chama Basin will often turn a week later than those around the valley.

Aspen aren’t the only colorful show in the autumn.  Rust colored Gambel oak mix in with the lower elevation aspen in the northern part of the San Luis Valley, while all the foothills include a plethora of multi-hued shrubs.  Additionally, the leaves of many of the summer wildflowers will turn a variety of colors ranging from dull maroon to vibrant yellows and oranges.  In other words, if you don’t get stuck on looking just for aspen, you can find spectacular fall color no matter where you go in the foothills and mountains of the upper Rio Grande.

Fall Color Updates & Photo Albums – Fall colors usually peak at higher elevations the third weekend of September and the last weekend for the remainder of the forest. Please enjoy photos from past years until we have new photos available.

Conejos Peak District    2013 Photos

Divide District              Sept. 12, the upper Rio Grande area, west of Creede, has turned about 10%. Estimate 50% turned by the 19th.           2013 photos    2014 photos

Saguache District           2013 photos   2014 photos