2011 Colorado Rockies

On the way home from the 2011 Rocky Mountain WineFest in Palisade, Colorado, I took a few photos on both sides of Red Mountain Pass between Ouray and Silverton. It was two days before the Autumnal Equinox, and the aspens had just begun to show their fall colors.

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I'm not sure what triggers the color change, but it seems a little strange to me that the trees in the middle of this stand of aspens that covers the entire side of this mountain would be the first to turn. I have learned that all the aspens on this mountainside are genetically identical, therefore each tree is just one element of the individual that is this grove.

Colorado Palisade WineFest 2011 Trip Winefest 2011 Rocky Mountain 0091