Found a nice camp along a creek on the all too busy Kebler Pass road. To be expected as it is peak season for the aspens in this central Colorado mountain range. This area has the largest aspen grove in Colorado. I was here last year, but this year seems even better. Although I would imagine that it would be even more colorful had we got more moisture through the summer. Last year I was able to set up camp at Lost Lake campground and they were not even charging a fee. This year you can’t get to the lake as the are renovating the campground. I can’t imagine what renovations they feel that campground needs. But what it meant to me is that along with the persistent traffic cruising the road, two semis would pass by every half hour or so. Needless to say I didn’t want to spend much time in camp during the day. But why would I with all this beautiful country around me.
The next morning I awoke to the sound of bull elk bugling in their rutting season. I could tell there were two or threes bulls following the ridgeline above me, bugling all the way as they made their way down the ridge through the tall aspens. Makes you feel like your in some National Geographic documentary! I wanted to catch the morning sun on the aspens in the valley below, so I wasted no time and left camp without breakfast. I found an ideal spot to turn off the road and shoot the spectacle below East Beckwith Peak. Just as soon as I got set up a car pulls in and I thought…how rude! It was a fellow photographer so how could I be upset. She asked if she was in my way and I replied…no, not at all. After we took all the shots we needed from that spot we got to talking. I asked if she was a local from Crested Butte and did she have any recommendations on a good trail to hike. She said no she was not a local, but that she had heard that the Beckwith Pass trail was nice and that she was on her way up there. Just so happens that was the trail I had picked out for the day. About a half hour after setting of from the trailhead, she came blazing by me with her dog as I was taking some photos saying “Good Morning Again”. Boy, I sure wish I was in that good of shape! We met up once again on the pass and shared conversation about our travels and itinerary which turned out to be almost identical. She follow me for a bit beyond the pass and then oddly disappeared without a trace.
From the Kebler Pass area I headed down to the Uncompahgre Wilderness to an area near Silver Jack Reservoir. I found a great camp secluded in the trees with a stream right next to it, which was convenient for bathing and cleanup. I saw very few people when in this area which was just fine with me after the crowds on Kebler Pass. The first morning there I was awoken by that National Geographic thing going on again with coyotes yipping and carrying on.
From Silver Jack it was down to the San Juans to my favorite spot below Mt. Sneffels, a rugged 14er. Funny I was even able to secure the exact same campsite as last year!
Golden Aspen among the green of the pines, streaming up the hillsides – starkly contrasting with the dark gray of the peaks – bright blue autumn sky, ferns and other flora doning their fall color – it must heaven.