Last Updated on 03/28/21 by Rose Palmer
My husband and I just returned from a wonderful nine day loop around the state, searching for gold- aspen gold. I think we succeeded in finding it, along with other great scenery – don’t you?
The feature photo for this post was recognized in the 2018 North American Travel Journalists Association awards competition with a Silver in the Photography,Featured Photo, Illustration – Online category.
My Favorite Colorado Fall Pictures
Our first view of golden aspens – they covered a hillside as far as the eye could see on the Peak-to-Peak scenic byway
Sunrise reflection on Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain national Park
Aspens at their peak line an open filed in the West Horseshoe Park area of Rocky Mountain national Park – the only thing missing is an elk or two
The homes in a mining town add a patchwork of color besides the yellow of the aspens and the green of the pines on a mountainside
Rain turned to snow in Independence Pass on the way to Aspen, CO, highlighting the golden aspen trees in an otherwise black and white landscape.
The Conundrum Creek trail near Aspen, CO starts out with expansive views of snow capped mountains and aspen covered slopes, dwarfing my tall husband hiking on the trail.
The Conundrum Creek trail near Aspen, CO has scenic eye candy around every bend
When the sun is shining and the sky is blue, don’t forget to look straight up into the glowing canopy high above you – it is amazing how tall an aspen tree can grow
This is what a copse of aspens all at their peak of color looks like – and with the wind blowing through the leaves, it gives the photo a shimmery look
A lone glowing aspen is just as beautiful as a whole forest of them
The sunrise reflection in the Maroon Bells area near Aspen, CO is stunning
As the sun rises higher, the aspens on the slopes of the Maroon Bells outside Aspen, CO glow even brighter in the early morning sunlight – one of the most photographed spots in the state
A stereotypical Colorado view of mountains, trees and ranch land on the way from Aspen to Crested Butte
Sunset over the peaks near Aspen, CO is just as pretty as sunrise.
Rt 12 passes through Kebler pass which boasts the largest stand of aspens in the state.
I never tired of views of the mountains and the aspens at their peak – this one outside of Ouray, CO.
For fans of John Wayne’s True Grit movie – this is a must see destination – the meadow where the movie’s final shootout took place.
Fog rolls in to cover Chimney Peak near Owl Creek Pass – another True Grit movie sight.
The sun burns through early morning fog on the Sn Juan Mountains.
Classic view of the Sneffels Range in the Dallas Divide near Ridgway, CO.
Driving the Last Dollar Road has some great scenery of the San Juan Mountains.
Driving through a tunnel of aspens on the Last Dollar Road toward Telluride.
Approaching Telluride, the scenery shows three different climate zones.
Rt 145 south of Telluride was practically non stop views of aspens at their peak.
Looking out over the horizon from the heights of the Grand Mesa – the largest flat topped mountain in the world. Some trees are already bare, but the hillsides in the distance at lower elevation are still at their peak. 
We visited in the last week of September, and were very lucky to experience peak aspen color in every area that we traveled. Stay tuned for upcoming posts with to learn all the details of our trip.
Find all the information you need for a Colorado fall road trip at Colorado.com.
Thanks for visiting
Rose
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