2012 Fall Colors

[coloradokevin Profile 14er Peak List (15) Trip Reports]

Hiked in the Butler Gulch area this afternoon. Colors are starting to show up now, though we clearly aren't at the peak yet (I do think the peak color is going to be early this year, based on what we saw this afternoon - maybe as early as a week to 10 days from now). Here are a couple of pictures from this area today. By the way, we also saw a huge porcupine on the Henderson Mine Road... I only seem to find those guys once every couple of years

[ajkagy Profile Website 14er Peak List Not Entered]

Here are a few shots taken from my phone today (9/8/2012). The color has really started to show on most aspen groves with many hitting peak now. Even the green groves are showing hints of color and are probably only 2 weeks away from peak.

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[coloradokevin Profile 14er Peak List (15) Trip Reports]

I guess maybe the drought has something to do with this, but I do seem to be noticing a lot more red color this year. I seem to recall that we've had the same phenomenon in other dry years.

[ColoradoGuy Profile Website 14er Peak List (21) 13er Peak List (24)]

STILL VERY EARLY... but here's a group of cottonwoods near Buena Vista. 9/8



A cluster of yellow aspen leaves near the Collegiate Peaks Campground. 9/8



All of my photos on 9/8: http://coloradoguy.com/fall-leaves/colorado.htm

[Scott P Profile Website 14er Peak List (45) 13er Peak List (26)Trip Reports]

Just got back from SE section of the Flat Tops. Suprisingly the colors have already peaked. Nearly all the aspens have already turned. I'll post some photos tomorrow.

[Scott P Profile Website 14er Peak List (45) 13er Peak List (26)Trip Reports]

My good camera is dead and I'm using a cheap $70 backup, so sorry about the not-so-good quality photos.

Anyway, as mentioned, the SE section of the Flat Tops is already at peak color, or at least close to it.

Here are what the trees look like:

[ChicagoMike Profile 14er Peak List (56) 14ers Skied (4)13er Peak List (6)]

Nice pics Scott. Hopefully they have a little bit left up there. I am getting married on top of Mt. Werner on Saturday

[jlarocco Profile Website 14er Peak List (34) 13er Peak List (29)Trip Reports]

These were taken on the Copper Creek trail near Crested Butte. Click to go to the bigger versions.

[Darren Kilgore Profile Website 14er Peak List Not Entered]

I have many picture updates from a weekend road trip here.

[SkiBum1287 Profile 14er Peak List (30) 13er Peak List (7)Trip Reports]

I have many picture updates from a weekend road trip here.

Wow, fantastic information and pictures! Thanks!

These were taken on the Copper Creek trail near Crested Butte. Click to go to the bigger versions.

Absolutely stunning! I love this state, especially at this time of year.

[B[3] Profile 14er Peak List (58) 13er Peak List (59)Trip Reports]

Saw some nice colors in the Gore Range on Saturday--the patch of colorful trees was very useful in finding the trail on our way down.

[djkest Profile Website 14er Peak List (49) 13er Peak List (10)Trip Reports]

The Maroon Bells / Maroon Lake area looked really great yesterday. They seemed to intensify just from Saturday to Sunday. I suspect that next weekend will be the peak, and it will go downhill from there; but who knows? I didn't get as many fall colors photos as I would have liked, we were running a little short on time.