September is the time that the aspen trees adopt their fall colors for a few weeks before shedding their leaves. It is also a time that I enjoy the experience of the bright yellow foliage against the blue Colorado skies. With all the dry weather and lack of rain this year, I did not know how the aspen would look. Yesterday, I made a trip to the mountains, stopping at Boreas Pass. This pass was the site of the old narrow gauge railroad that connected Como and Breckenridge in years gone by. This is one of the first locations that usually gets a good covering of the modern “Colorado Gold”.
At the first location where I stopped, I setup below the aspen trees. Most aspen trees change colors from green to yellow. However, there are a few trees that change to an orange/red color. I selected this location because of the orange/red tree among the green and gold.
Aspen On Boreas Pass
After making a few images at this location, I made my way back down towards Como. Descending the pass, I noticed this island of aspen among the pines in the forest. The dry weather did not disappoint!
Aspen And Pine Forest, Como
From here I made my way back home by way of Guanella Pass. The road up the pass follows beside Geneva Creek. I stopped at a location where I have previously made images at some waterfalls.
White Waterfall At Geneva Creek
In previous images that I made in later winter and spring, there was a greater volume of water flowing over the falls. With the low water levels, the rocks exposed pale colors, almost white, in the rocks. I had not noticed these pale colors at these falls before.
Geneva Creek Waterfall
Proceeding up the pass, I stopped at a parking lot located beside the creek. As I approached the creek, the fall colors were reflected in the creek.
Aspen Reflections In Geneva Creek
Here is a second image at this spot.
Boulders And Fall Colors In Geneva Creek
This light did not last for long as the sun dropped below the clouds and the mountain ridge to the west of the creek.