Stardate 2017.745

Here TodayGone Tomorrow
Another Secret Stash
Snowcatcher and I made a mad dash to the west slope for some aspen color in some of the state's better autumn color palettes. Old man winter just edged us out in places. Despite lots of wet and white, we still took in some color. The day was very long; yet it was worth every minute.

We'll start the post at about the 10,000-foot level of elevation. This is the transition elevation between the Montane (aspen/spruce) and Subalpine (spruce) forests at this latitude. The weather was cold, windy, slippery, and taking a toll on leaves. Onward and upward into the clouds...



Needle Rock: To the left, and out of view, is the English mansion and estate of the late Joe Cocker (think 60s music and Woodstock). He operated a restaurant in nearby Crawford for years. Peaks of the West Elk Wilderness rise in the background.




This pic is from high on the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.




Below is a short reach of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.




North Rim of the Black Canyon




Ditto




Dusk caught us at the base of 13,822-foot Mount Silverheels. This is the 96th tallest peak in Colorado.




The End!

Hopefully more leaf adventures to come.

Adios

Stardate 2014.729

Autumn

Happy autumnal equinox, everyone. The first day of fall has arrived. It's only one of two times per year that the duration of night and day is theoretically equal at all points of the earth. More specifically, winter is right around the corner.



A good place to enjoy fall is Crested Butte, Colorado.



There are lots of yellow leaves, along with some red and orange. Rising in the background is 12,625 foot Gothic Mountain.



Autumn color abounds along the Brush Creek drainage east of Crested Butte.



Teocalli Ridge sports a good variety of leaf color. The remaining green indicates more yellow to come.



Populus Tremuloides is the formal name for an aspen tree. In Colorado, an aspen is commonly known as a quaking aspen, or quakie.



The Black Pearl was my mode of transportation for the day.



Teocalli Ridge flame-tips contrast with the blue sky. What's that George Strait song – "Baby Blue?"



The view down Brush Creek from Teocalli Ridge foretells more yellow on the way. 12,516 foot Mount Whetstone rises in the background.



Strand Hill rises across the valley from Teocalli Ridge.



Quakie stand of flame-tips quake in the breeze at the terminus of Teocalli Ridge with Brush Creek.



Riding singletrack through yellow quakies on a warm fall day is nothing short of magical.



Every time you stop to open and close a gate you have a chance to catch your breath and take it all in! The gates are for the ubiquitous bovine. After all, you're in the middle of ranching country.



Looking north at Teocalli Ridge from the Strand Bonus Trail.



Elton John's "Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road" kept popping into my mind for some reason.



13,208 foot Teocalli Mountain towers above Brush Creek and is the 478th highest peak in Colorado. Castle Peak is seen peeping over the east shoulder of Teocalli. Castle Peak touches the sky at 14,265 feet and is the 13th highest peak in Colorado.

There is more to come of this colorful season, so stay tuned.

Adios