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

Nothing at lower/normal elevations [6200 ft] down here in SW Colorado yet.

Deb

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.

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. :D

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

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!

Updates, please! Headed your way in two weeks and looking forward to seeing the gorgeous colors.

Nada here yet.
Deb

Hey! Coming to Telluride Sept 23, what does change in Aspens/Foliage look like by then?

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

Drove over Berthoud Pass on Saturday afternoon, 9/12. Some aspen are bright yellow already, but only about 10 percent of the total.

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 !

Tell us what you see, MitchDude. I won't be far behind you.

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.

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.

Reporting in from Telluride where there is snow on the mountains and trees are at about 50% turned.

Deb

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.

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!

LOL Beachie, just cause I will be in/near Santa Fe this NYE!!
You avoiding me?? :)
Deb

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. :)