Autumn is my favorite time of year. As summer begins to loosen its grip, and daily winter’s grasp becomes increasingly fixed, the landscapes across the Northern Hemisphere undergo a magnificent transformation. For the majority of us, the terms autumn and fall conjure images of leaves changing color, however, the way we experience this season varies drastically based on location. In Wisconsin, a mixture of deciduous trees including maple, oak and aspen create a palette of yellow, orange, and red that line lakes and forests. At higher elevations in Washington, golden larches drape the mountainsides along with mountain ash and the low-lying, fiery huckleberry bushes.
This year I was fortunate to take my first trip to Colorado in autumn. I have never experienced scenery quite like this. Here beneath the 14,000-foot summit of Capitol Peak, aspens dominate the landscape. During the fleeting moments of the day, last light strikes Capitol Peak, and the golden aspens cast a warm glow throughout the valley.
Capitol Peak – White River National Forest, Colorado
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