Hot Texas weather inspired us to take five days in September to have our yearly mountain 'fix' of cool air and high country inspiration. We discovered that the second week of September is the ideal time for fall colors, as well as finding Aspen almost empty of tourists. Here are pictures of some of our favorite places in and around Aspen.
Some white wine and cheeze in a meadow above the top of the gondola house on Ajax. We took the road down the face of Ajax to our condo in Aspen.
A pair of red-tailed hawks circled overhead atop Richmond Hill Road near the top of Ajax Mountain.
A snow/sleet/rain thunderstorm blew in at Taylor Pass (13,220' elevation) forcing a quick dash to safer lower ground.
The long view south at the top of Taylor Pass between Aspen and Crested Butte just before the storm hit us full force.
Drive up Castle Creek Road past Ashcroft (ghost town), turn off on Pearl Pass (jeep) Road and climb almost to the tree line and turn off to the trail to Montezuma Basin Mine.
Turn left off Montezuma Basin Road to take the 'highway' up over Pearl Pass. We decided to take this route on a clear day.
We hiked in the aspens above Maroon Lake on a beautiful September day.
Our favorite place: the Maroon Bells in the wilderness near Aspen, September 11, 2004. We hiked up to the golden trees in the distance for our lunch. It had snowed the previous night and was clear and cool.
As we picnicked on a glacial moraine above Maroon Lake this brave little 'mini bear' enjoyed Tom's apple core.
Morning coffee overlooking the river in our Aspen condo. Getting ready for a day up in the mountains.
After crossing Haggerman Pass we passed Ivanhoe Lake and Skinner Alpine Corps hut. This is the smallest of three bucks we saw by the roadside.
