This fall I visited the southwest corner of Colorado on two trips to capture a great seasonal color display. The weather conditions provided a little of everything, from blue skies, overcast conditions, rain, and even snow. These two back-to-back week-long trips illustrated that the color change is gradual, with peak colors in one area and green (or bare) trees in another.
To see more photos from these trips, please visit the San Juan Fall 2014 gallery. Click on any image below to see a larger version.
On the first trip, we used Ouray as a base of operations, with trips to Dallas Divide, the Million Dollar Highway, Last Dollar Road, and the Durango area.
Dallas Divide with a mix of Fall colors |
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Sneffels Range from County Road 7 |
Yellow Mountain with yellow aspens |
Aspens in transition near Rico |
Historic Trout Lake Trestle |
Snowfall & Aspens on Million Dollar Highway |
On the second trip, I camped at McClure Pass and near Ridgway and took side trips to Dallas Divide (with better color this time), Last Dollar Road, Priest Lakes, and Kebler Pass.
Moonrise and sunset light from McClure Pass |
Sunrise from McClure Pass |
Dallas Divide |
San Miguel Valley from Last Dollar Road |
Priest Lakes Reflection |
Fallen Color |
Fall splendor below "The Dyke" formation near Kebler Pass |
I also visited the Hermosa Cliffs and the Animas River valley between Molas Pass and Durango, with very satisfying results. The overcast conditions gave an air of mystery to the rock formations, and the diffused light made the fall colors more vibrant.
Hermosa Cliffs with Fall color and low-lying clouds |
Amimas River valley with hillsides covered with Fall color |
Aspen grove and colorful undergrowth |
Hermosa Cliffs shrouded in clouds |
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