on the road to aspen to view the autumn colors

fall comes early up in the mountains. although the fires from the west dulled the skies, the changing colors of the aspen trees gave a spectacular show!

half way to aspen we stopped and looked south. the higher we climbed, the aspens gave way to a blanket of evergreens dominating  the landscape to timberline which at this latitude is at 11,400 foot elevation.

above timberline, the top of the mountains appear barren with only sparse ground cover. down below the golden aspens are barely visible.