Last Sunday, I did a short hike at the Lost Creek Wilderness area. This is located at the western edge of the Heyman Fire Area – the site of a huge wild fire back in 2002. From the parking lot, there is a short hike down to the creek, where I spent a couple of hours working my way upstream. At this time of year, the fall colors are reflected in the flowing water.
Lost Creek Boulder And Reflections
Along the banks of the creek are several trees that have fallen down. When lying down, the branches and trunk form a hub and spoke composition.
Fallen Tree At Lost Creek
At this spot, the granite cliffs towering above the far bank reflected from the flowing creek.
Reflections In Lost Creek
The sun dropped down behind the mountains, so it was time to head out of the creek. The Heyman Fire burned many of the pine trees in the forest. It will be many decades before the pine trees grow back. However, the aspen are growing vigorously at higher elevations. Here the yellow aspen contrast against burnt tree trunks.
Yellow Aspen In Burnt Forest
Looking up, the skyline reveals a forest of burnt trees interwoven with aspen.
Heyman Fire Area
Most of the aspen leaves turn yellow during the fall before dropping. However, there are occasional patches within forests that have a few aspen with orange and red leaves. I switched to the Lensbaby to blur everything except a group of orange leaves.
Orange Aspen Leaves, Close Up
From this spot, it was a 5 minute walk back the the truck for the return trip home.