Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Colorado Aspen Color Report

Search

Colorado Aspen Color Report

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 05:47 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Colorado Aspen Color Report

Hi,

I live in Grand Junction , in the far west central part of Colorado. Went on a jeep ride today on the Grand Mesa. The aspen are just starting to turn at 9,200 feet elevation. Not all of them yet-just a few . I would guess 2 to 2 1/2 weeks to prime in this area, which is pretty much the average time for this area. The lower level vegetation is getting quite pretty. Beautiful day today and a great ride
GJLinda is offline  
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 06:30 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nothing at lower/normal elevations [6200 ft] down here in SW Colorado yet.

Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 07:52 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We took a drive to Cripple Creek today. A few trees here and there had turned yellow, but the aspens in my yard are still green.
Virgogirl is offline  
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 08:03 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey, Deb, do the leaves usually change in Santa Fe about a week after yours? I've seen golden colors mid-September to early October.

I'm planning to runaway from home in the next few weeks and would love to hit the colors at the right time.
BeachGirl247 is offline  
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 08:20 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SF has had more rain than we have this summer, so they may be a bit later than us. We should be pretty good in about 2 weeks.
Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 7th, 2009, 08:27 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, friend!


BTW, I think that is great that Fodorites are keeping others posted on the changing of the colors. It just may precipitate a last-minute weekend trip to enjoy falls colors!
BeachGirl247 is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2009, 04:10 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Updates, please! Headed your way in two weeks and looking forward to seeing the gorgeous colors.
cmcfong is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2009, 06:08 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nada here yet.
Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2009, 12:36 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey! Coming to Telluride Sept 23, what does change in Aspens/Foliage look like by then?
sirrahx is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2009, 02:38 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I live 75 miles from Telluride, but they are at higher elevation. Normal for this date would be about 20% trees have color change. Haven't been up there this month.

Not sure where you are from, but the colors, while very nice, are not like the colors back east. Yellows of the aspens is about it, a bit of orange maybe.

Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2009, 08:13 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drove over Berthoud Pass on Saturday afternoon, 9/12. Some aspen are bright yellow already, but only about 10 percent of the total.
PeaceOut is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2009, 04:53 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is where I'll be going...I hope they will look like this on September 24-25. Anyone ever been there?

http://st-elmo-colorado.com/autumn.htm


Looks awesome !
MitchDude is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2009, 10:49 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tell us what you see, MitchDude. I won't be far behind you.
cmcfong is offline  
Old Sep 17th, 2009, 12:00 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just returned on Monday from 6 days in the mountains. The Aspen on the south side of Hoosier Pass were nearly all bright gold. The hillsides were just beautiful. We also drove Berthoud Pass, and the color was better on the south side. On down towards Salida, much less color.
nancythenice is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2009, 12:10 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Went up I-70 from Denver to Silverthorne, then Hwy 9 north to Kremmling, then Hwy 40 and 134 to Gore Pass. Color was virtually non-existant up I-70 until Idaho Springs, then it started to appear and was in the 50 - 80 range up to the Eisenhower tunnel. From Silverthorne to Kremmling color was 30 - 70 percent. From Kremmling to Gore Pass only about 40%.

Next weekend ought to be gorgeous along this route.
furledleader is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2009, 05:12 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Reporting in from Telluride where there is snow on the mountains and trees are at about 50% turned.

Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2009, 08:54 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drove Berthoud Pass yesterday, from Winter Park to Denver. It's beautiful. The aspens we saw at the ski area and on the pass are bright yellow, with some still green. Probably will peak in a week max.
PeaceOut is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2009, 08:57 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I envy those of you seeing the fall colors in such a beautiful part of the country.

Deb, I'm toying with Telluride instead of Santa Fe for NYE this year. I've seen pictures and it looks so beautiful!
BeachGirl247 is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2009, 11:07 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LOL Beachie, just cause I will be in/near Santa Fe this NYE!!
You avoiding me??
Deb
DebitNM is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2009, 02:28 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No way, Deb! Most likely dh will want Santa Fe as we can take Molly the dog. No skiing, just r&r and our green and red chile fix.

I'll catch you in Colorado one of these days.
BeachGirl247 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -