Aspen trees with golden leaves indicate it is autumn but the snow on the ground might make you think it is winter. This is a pretty typical scene in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains this time of year and one that was captured in this image taken this past Saturday morning.

A fresh layer of snow covered the landscape as I ascended toward the summit of the 11,293 foot high Boreas Pass. It made for a beautiful and peaceful scene as the clouds began to break and a hint of blue appeared above.

The road follows the path of the old South Park and Pacific Railroad between the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado and Como. When in use from 1872 to 1938, it was the nation’s highest narrow-gauge railroad. Today it makes for a gorgeous fall drive and affords incredible views of the Blue River Valley and Tenmile Range.

It is peak time for the fall foliage in the Centennial State’s high country and it is absolutely gorgeous up there. My son and I took a 230 mile trip yesterday, leaving well before dawn.

We headed west from Denver to Breckenridge then up and over Boreas Pass, our first destination. On the north side of the pass, it was quite like winter with 27 degree temperatures, strong winds and a fresh layer of snow.

Just over the other side, where this image was taken, it was a good bit warmer but not so warm that there hadn’t been some overnight snow (you can see it on the ground on the left). The road was lined with golden aspen trees and the clearing skies provided just a hint of drama. The sun shining through the trees lit up the leaves making for a very nice scene.

With the changing of the seasons, Colorado’s high country has been a sea of gold in recent weeks. This year, in addition to trying to capture images of these expansive areas of fall foliage, I tried to turn my lens to some of the smaller details.

My photo partner and I (my son) spent a lot of time walking through these areas of aspen trees, oftentimes literally crawling on the forest floor to get a different angle. That type of shooting isn’t my normal cup of tea but I have to say we had an absolute blast doing it this year. Here are some of the pics I captured – I hope you enjoy them.

Taken in Rocky Mountain National Park?.

The fall foliage in Colorado’s high country is at its peak right now and absolutely resplendent in bright color. If you live here and want to see this year’s show you need to go ASAP. A cold front will be arriving tomorrow and that is going to drop temperatures and bring some precipitation. Snow levels could drop to 10,000 feet above which a few inches are possible. With conditions like that, an abrupt end to the mountain leaf peeping season can be expected.

Scroll down to view the complete gallery of images from this past weekend’s fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park.

A glint of sun through the fall foliage

A glint of sun through the fall foliage

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Golden autumn leaves stretch to the sky

Gold from one edge to the next

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Fall foliage in Horseshoe Park

Fall foliage in Horseshoe Park

A near full moon above Estes Park

A near full moon above Estes Park

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Leaves of gold with sunlight behind

Golden fall foliage

A canopy of gold above the forest

A canopy of gold above the forest

Leaves of gold

A golden canopy above the forest

A golden forest

A golden forest

Golden aspen leaf on the forest floor

Golden aspen leaf on the forest floor

Colorado gold and blue

A very busy fall foliage scene

Star burst through the foliage

Fabulous foliage above the rocks

Leaves of gold

A golden canopy above the forest

A golden canopy above the forest

Golden aspen leaf on the forest floor

Follow the road to the fall foliage

Probably my biggest fault as a photographer is an inability to recognize small-scale photo opportunities. I think I just don’t pay enough attention sometimes. Thankfully that wasn’t entirely the case recently when viewing the golden aspen in #Colorado’s high country recently.

Most of the time I was indeed focused (pun intended) on the show at the top of the trees above me but for whatever reason, at one point a very bright, beautiful scene below captured my attention. A few bright yellow leaves had fallen at the junction of some tree roots that were above the surface and when laying on the ground on their level, I was able to truly appreciate the leaves’ fine detail.

Throw in the greens and browns of the forest floor surrounding the leaves and these are my favorite pics of the day.

Colorado’s high country is ablaze in color right now as the fall foliage continues to arrive. Temperatures this weekend were very mild for this time of year which made it quite easy to get out early and take in the sights. This image was taken this morning in the Horseshoe Park area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

In Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, the colors are starting to change above about 9,000 feet.  I was unable to find any large expanses of yellow but did find some nice, isolated batches.  I kind of like shots like this with the contrasting brilliant yellow of an Aspen tree and the deep blue skies of high altitude.

A canopy of golden leaves. This tree is resplendent in gold and has a very, very busy internal structure. Found in Rocky Mountain National Park this past weekend, I’m not sure what kind it is. Possibly an aspen but they usually aren’t so ‘busy’ and don’t normally have a ‘barky’ base. Any hints would be appreciated.

It was a typically gorgeous Colorado day this past Saturday and perfect for photography, wildlife viewing and fall foliage. With clear, blue skies above, Hallett Peak (left), elevation 12,720 ft, and Flattop Mountain (right), 12,324′, looked as rugged as ever. Below timberline on their slopes and on those of nearby mountains the aspen were radiant in fall gold.