I love the Gunnison Basin and surrounding country. The wildflowers in summer are supreme, but autumn color here is also superlative. I have the opportunity to visit often since a good friend and fellow photographer welcomes me there often. This past autumn was subtle. While I was there, the color was good, actually very good, but just a bit past prime. There was snow, but only a dusting. Nothing could compare with the incredible snows and color of 2011, but it all areas and elevations seemed to burst with color at once, instead of in stages by altitude. The feeling was nostalgic and evoked those emotions of fall we remember from childhood and good times.
We first drove up Ohio Pass…..one of my favorite areas in the Gunnison, and found some lovely photographic subjects:
One of the many rustic barns found along Ohio Creek, this one framed by golden cottonwoods.
Panoramic view of the Ohio Creek Basin with the Castles above it all. I did not saturate….this early light is the real thing on Ohio Pass.
Antelope along Tomchi Creek, a small band gathers in cultivated fields annually for their autumn rut
Our photographic trip of the weekend was up into the Cimarron Valley towards Silverjack Reservoir and Owl Creek Pass. This is bold, rugged country of the Uncompahgre National Forest in the San Juan Mountains. We were so lucky to see fall color all the way up the valley. It was a wonderful day of photography.
Spires above the aspen near Silverjack Reservoir
Our final photographic trip was to Kebler Pass…..the place most Coloradoans know for the aspen color found there. We were a week late for peak color at the Pass summit……but on down the road was wonderful. Such beauty to keep in pictures and memories!
The Rubies near Kebler Pass
East Beckwith Mountain along the Kebler Pass Road
Interior of aspen forest, backlit and enhanced by fill flash
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