Waiting for Winter

Fall in the mountains of Colorado is our most favorite time to plan a mountain hike.

Aside from the colder mornings that can make getting out of our cozy bags and trying not to freeze as we down a warming breakfast served on our tailgate, every other factor just causes us to revel in this season. The days are cooler as we toil upwards. The aspen are turning to gold with the sun backlighting them and glowing as though giving off their own light. The skies clear of summer haze and display a pure blue. There’s no threat of thunderstorms and the grasses and tundra have turned golden. As the leaves drift off the aspens and willows, the wild game like deer and elk are enjoying the last green shoots remaining in the tundra and will soon be heading to lower elevations once the winter snows begin to fall.

This photo was taken on such a day while hiking south of Red Mountain Pass to a couple summits that both bear the name, ”Anvil.” On our return, some clouds had gathered spitting out a few raindrops. Taking a different route back to our vehicle we spotted this little, shallow pond, filled by summer rains and beautifully reflecting the clouds, grasses, trees and distant mountains. Ahh – another photo opportunity. With only one small compact camera between us, we took turns shooting the scene. There’s a kind of pervading melancholy though because it’s as though the mountains, trees, grasses, animals, even the sky are waiting and preparing for the first signs of winter.

Photo taken 9/24