Aspen Colorado In Fall

[yogesharora]

Hi

We will be visiting Aspen in September End, and plan to go to Maroon Bells , Ashcroft & Capital Creek Road.

Could you guys recommend other nearby places which i can visit for taking photographs.

[Frank Sirona]

It´s not just around the corner, but Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP is worth a visit.

Frank

[bretedge]

Not far at all: Crested Butte.  Kebler Pass and the surrounding area are prime locations for fall color.  You could drive over Cottonwood Pass, which is paved on one side and such a good dirt road on the other that it might as well be paved.  Scenic, too. 

[Colorado David]

To get from Aspen to Cottonwood Pass, you'd have to go to Twin Lakes through Independence Pass and then take U.S. 24 south to Buena Vista.  West from Buena Vista through Cottonwood Pass.  There should be good fall color along the Independence Pass route too.

[abiggs]

Another vote for Kebler Pass. One of the best places for aspens in September. The timing can be tricky, of course, because that area has one of the largest concentration of aspens that are interconnected. When one starts to change they all change. And the area, especially the higher altitude ones, are more susceptible to high winds, so you could literally miss the best colors by a day if you aren't careful.

[Frank Sirona]

So we have a great loop drive for you now: from Aspen, southeast via U.S. 82 / U.S. 24 to Buena Vista, then up Cottonwood Pass Rd (306 RD / FR 306) to Taylor Park Reservoir, from there first south and then southwest on FR 742 down Taylor Canyon. When you hit U.S. 135, head southwest for another 8 miles or so, then turn right (north) on 730 RD which brings you first to Ohio Pass and then, past the junction with 12 RD, to Kebler Pass. Continue on 12 RD (unpaved, but well graded) which will bring you to U.S. 133, near Paonia SP. Turn right towards Mc Lure Pass / Carbondale. In Carbondale, you´ll hit U.S. 82 again, from where you can drive back to Aspen.

Let us know how you liked it!

[Frank Sirona]

Oh, and when you´re coming through Carbondale and have some time left, you might want to visit the Kathleen Ewing Gallery (by appointment only, as far as I´m informed).

[Frank Sirona]

Hmm, it´s a bit confusing - on their main site, they only mention their gallery in Washington, not the one in Carbondale. So here´s the link to their Colorado gallery in Carbondale.