Finding Fall Aspen Colors in Colorado – A Trip to Kebler Pass

Posted on October 15, 2013 by colorado wilderness

East-beckwith

The colors of fall form a colorful patchwork quilt beneath snow covered East Beckwith Mountain

One of my all-time favorite places to visit in the fall months of September and early October is the area to the west of Crested Butte, namely Kebler Pass. The area immediately below Kebler Pass is blessed with a spectacularly dense aspen forest occasionally mixed with dark spruce stands that are especially common at the higher elevations.

In the years I have visited the Kebler Pass area it has never disappointed me. This year (2013) the aspen foliage turned color slightly later than average in early October. Usually the colors peak on the last weekend of September. This year, an early snowfall added a white backdrop to the fall color display making for striking photography opportunities. I took advantage of this and shot away happily.

Getting to Kebler Pass

The drive from Kebler Pass is only 7.2 miles from the downtown center of Crested Butte. From Whiterock Avenue in Crested Butte, head west out of town onto Cnty Rd 12. Signs mark the way to Kebler Pass. The road climbs out of Crested Butte gently toward the pass. At the pass, a right turn off onto Road 826 leads to scenic Lake Irwin. Stay left on the main road to remain on Cnty Rd 12. A road just several feet from the Lake Irwin turn-off splits off to the left toward Ohio Pass, another scenic destination. From there, continue another 4 miles on Cnty Rd 12 as it begins to descend through a stand of conifers. This is where the fun begins. Views of 12,432 ft. East Beckwith Mountain as well as the peaks of the Ruby Range appear through the trees to the west and to the north.

At 11.4 miles, the Horse Ranch Park/Dark Canyon Trail turn-off will appear on the right-hand side. I highly recommend this trail if you have the time for a day hike. The Dark Canyon Trail (#830) gives access to several trails: Oh-be-Joyful Pass, Dark Canyon Trail, and the Dyke Trail #838 that leads to Irwin Lake. Any of these trails will offer excellent views of aspens and the surrounding valley.

Continue further on Cnty Rd 12 if you wish. The road eventually descends through miles of aspen forest into the tiny town of Paonia, Colorado.

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Weminuche Wilderness Will Require Permits and Registration in 2014

Posted on April 8, 2013 by colorado wilderness

weminuche_thumbAccording to a press release dated April 1, the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests will implement a mandatory permit for recreationists in the Weminuche wilderness beginning in 2014.

“Beginning in 2014, the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests will require recreationists to register prior to entering the Weminuche Wilderness. Registration will consist of a short two-part form available online, at agency offices and major trailheads. An individual or group leader will fill out the form, deposit one part in a box at the trailhead and keep the other part while in the Wilderness. There will be no fees associated with the program, and it will not impose any additional limits on use.”

The national forest managers site the reasons for the changes being: environmental impacts such as “denuded vegetation, overcrowding, and improper disposal of human waste.” The program will be similar to other programs in the West such as the one already in place in the Maroon Bells / Snowmass wilderness area.

The permits will be free and there will be no limits on the number of permits. The permit will consist of a two page form that will be filled out by one person per group. One half of the form is deposited in a trail-side box, while the other is attached to a group member’s backpack. The national forest indicates that the information collected from the permits will be used by forest management to monitor usage of the public lands and to reduce the environmental impacts before the impacts reach a ‘tipping point.’ The National Forest management is holding five public forums to educate and request public input on the registration systems implementation. Below is a copy of the dates and locations of the public forums:

  • Creede Community Center    Tue, Apr 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Durango Recreation Center   Tue, Apr 23, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Silverton Town Hall                Thu, Apr 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Lake City Coursey Annex       Wed, May 1, 4 – 6 pm
  • Pagosa Community Center     Thu, May 2, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Vallecito Community Center  Tue, May 7, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Weminuche Wilderness Required Registration Information – San Juan / Rio Grande National Forest

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