Aspen groves are found everywhere in the picturesque Colorado Rocky Mountains. The hues of autumn draw hikers to the mountains throughout the state. The real question is “which trail to take this time” to see the most intense color.

The world famous Steamboat Barn has long been a symbol of cowboys and the old west in Northwestern Colorado. The blizzard that encroached on this day was so intense that it was difficult to distinguish the ground in front of me. Everything including the barn itself took on a black and white character.

The mountainside erupts with brilliant fall color. The yellows and oranges intersperse with lingering green Aspen as fall rushes toward winter and the Colorado Rockies are a mosaic of beautiful hues.

Autumn has magic in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. As the hues of yellows, oranges and reds intensify and the undergrowth of ferns turns a rich orange, you find yourself drawn to the beautiful Aspen groves encountered around every turn in the mountains. Experience the colors and fragrance of autumn as the magical late afternoon light highlights the tree trunks in this delightful Aspen grove

Late afternoon sunlight filters through the trees illuminating a whimsical path into the fall colors of this charming, fairy-tale Aspen grove.

Late afternoon sunlight filters through the trees illuminating a whimsical path into the fall colors of this charming, fairy-tale Aspen grove.

HIKER’S DREAM

You never know what to expect from Mother Nature in the magnificent Colorado Rockies. This stunning yet tranquil scene presented itself in the early morning light along the Continental Divide just east (and southeast) of the Dillon Reservoir.

MOUNTAIN FROST

Sometimes the winds blow fiercely and the snow flies horizontally. If conditions are right, the snow seems to permeate the needles of the Evergreens and forms a wonderland of patterns on the bare Aspen limbs. If temperatures are right, the snow can bond to the limbs for days, creating a wonderland of frosted figures and shapes.

Exquisite alpine glow lights the peaks of the Medicine Bow Mountains in the Colorado State Forest and Rawah Wilderness just east of Walden, Colorado, leading south to Cameron Pass.

OFF WE GO

In the chill of the morning when the temperatures are still low, passionate pilots inflate their balloon envelopes with hot air, lifting them silently high above the surface of the earth. As voyagers have done for centuries, these adventurers float in the air in the cool and beautiful morning light. Modern balloonists capture this feeling and bring to the sport magnificent patterns and colors. When dozens of balloons ascend together the spectacle is an overwhelming exhibition of brilliant color and picturesque mountain sky, clouds and scenery. Standing under these delightful airships as they lift to the skies, gives you a viewpoint you’ll remember for a lifetime.

SOARING LACE

Sometimes the winds blow fiercely and the snow flies horizontally. If conditions are right, the snow seems to permeate the needles of the Evergreens and forms a wonderland of patterns on the bare Aspen limbs. If temperatures are right, the snow can bond to the limbs for days, creating a wonderland of frosted figures and shapes. The contrast between the frosted Aspen limbs and the brilliant blue Colorado sky is magnificent.

QUIET CHILL

Sometimes the winds blow fiercely and the snow flies horizontally. If conditions are right, the snow seems to permeate the needles of the Evergreens and forms a wonderland of patterns on the bare Aspen limbs. If temperatures are right, the snow can bond to the limbs for days, creating a wonderland of frosted figures and shapes. The contrast between the frosted Aspen limbs and the brilliant blue Colorado sky is magnificent.

QUIETUDE

You know when you remember certain things vividly? This is one of those images for me. It was the beginning of May and we had just received 15 to 18 inches of snow over night. I headed west into the Roosevelt National Forest to capture spring miracles. The northern harbor area of Horsetooth Reservoir was a mirror reflection of the spring snowstorm. I set my tripod in the water and had about five minutes to capture six images before the snow began falling again. A special thanks to Ansel Adams for the clouds.

This old shack stands sentry in a Strawberry Park meadow near Old Town Steamboat Springs. In the background the majestic Mount Werner rises above calling to skiers and snowboarders to enjoy it’s terrain and breathtaking views.

WHITEOUT

The matting season had just finished when this early fall blizzard began to dump it’s cargo. As visibility was almost at zero, this bull elk looked up to the skies questioning the early season inconvenience.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SURF

Sometimes Mother Nature plays tricks with your senses. This image spans the Continental Divide from Long’s Peak to Hallett Peak. The early morning light and the cloud formations combine to give the appearance of surf, “breaking” over the tops of the mountains.

SPRINGTIME VISTA

This captivating image was taken in the early part of June looking west toward the Continental Divide. While temperatures in Moraine Park and South Lateral Moraine were pleasant, it’s clear that winter had not departed from the mountain peaks.

STEAMBOAT BARN II

The world famous Steamboat Barn has long been a symbol of cowboys and the old west in Northwestern Colorado. Over the last several decades, the barn has been a central image in the marketing of the Steamboat Ski Area.

THE TRAVELLERS

Early morning light reflects the trees and mountains onto the glassy waters of Sprague Lake. As I was capturing the morning spectacle two travelers began their journey of exploration across the lake.

THIS WAY

Aspen groves are found everywhere in the picturesque Colorado mountain ranges. These groves are a family of trees that spread from one “father/mother” tree through an intricate root system, virtually connecting all Aspens in that grove to one another. This grove, located in the Routt/Medicine Bow National Forest area, north and west of Steamboat Lake, was special to me visually because of straight trunks and an abnormally long limb sticking from one of the foremost trunks. One of my children sees a “wizard” in the grove. Can you find him?

TOTEM

Looking at the vibrant color and the leaf pattern of this exquisite Indian Paintbrush brought to mind images of unique totem poles carved by Native Americans.

WINTER FRIENDS

Aspen groves are found everywhere in the picturesque Colorado mountain ranges. These groves are a family of trees that spread from one “father/mother” tree through an intricate root system, virtually connecting all Aspens in that grove to one another. This grove, located in the Routt/Medicine Bow National Forest area, north and west of Steamboat Lake, was special to me visually because of straight trunks and an abnormally long limb sticking from one of the foremost trunks. One of my children sees a “wizard” in the grove. Can you find him?