Autumn - Act I

October 12, 2026 • 5 Comments

Autumn is a bit like a slow moving stream in the high country of the American west. The gold, orange, and occasionally red colors that typify the aspen tree begin turning at the top of the mountains, making their way down the slopes in different stages. Elements including the direction of the slopes, whether trees are hidden by conifers such as Douglas fir, spruce, and others lend a hand in painting a stunning palette of color to any given mountain. Seasonal weather, including wind, and late rains and snow, eventually remove the brilliance to the ground, where the leaves create nourishment for the roots and ground under the snow. While walking up Aspen Vista Trail near Ski Santa Fe, people arrive in the hundreds, probably thousands at this time of year, with dogs and children, using their walking sticks to amble over rocks that work their way to the surface of any trail to see the colors. It is typical to have a combination of trees the leaves of which have yet to turn and are still green, in the mix.

autumn hike on Aspen Vista Trail 1 2026

It is one thing to view photographs of the trees but another thing completely to be surrounded and enveloped by the height of the trees and the masses of color before your eyes.

autumn hike on Aspen Vista Trail 4 2026
autumn hike on Aspen Vista Trail 2 2026

Due to nearly seven inches of recent rain that fell in the area (and probably some snow in the mountains), there was more water flowing along the trail than we have seen in years. It was the spring runoff that never happened this year. These two bubblers from a spring were in the middle of the trail about two miles from the parking area.

A tapestry of aspen that only nature can assemble

autumn hike on Aspen Vista Trail 5 2026

Since hikers are looking up much of the time along the way, it makes sense to point the camera to the sky as well.

Trees - aspen 2021 10.jpg

After random rain showers last night, the Sangre de Cristos probably had snow, but a quick jaunt into the mountains might be worth your time. Otherwise, you can partake in Autumn Act 2 - trees turning colors in the city and along the rivers.

A note. I will not write using AI for my blog, nor use any AI generated images.

Thanks to Rebecca, Tim A., Steve, Jean & Sam, Paule, Christina W., Marilyn G., Gustavo, and Lawrence J. for commenting on last week's blog!

until next Monday,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: architecture, aspen, Aspen Vista Trail, Blacks Crossing Photography, Daryl A. Black, environmental, food, nature, New Mexico, photography, portraiture, scenics, still life, travel, trees, weddings

Comments

Jim Watkins(non-registered)

Thanks for the photos. They remind us of the aspens at Bluewater. There was also a time when we were driving to Santa Fe maybe every other weekend and we could see the fall colors moving down the mountains.

Jim Watkins(non-registered)

TTT(non-registered)

Grand! a spring in the middle of the trail? more magic. A rare moment of sun, fairy dust and enchantment.

Steve Immel(non-registered)

Good to see your images from the Aspen Vista Trail. Through your lens it's become an old friend. The aspens weave a carpet of golden hues, and I smell the fresh air of autumn. I wish our forests had more ash red like New England. The two bubblers reflect the rains that have blessed us and that we hope will be followed by real snow. It's been scant since 2024. There was snow on the highest peaks a week ago, but it's gone now.

Thanks for the vintage Daryl Black skyscraper shot. It completes the ensemble.

Tim(non-registered)

Always a great view, no matter in which direction you are pointing the lens or your eyes. Your post is a reminder that I need to venture up there and see what I can find. Most of the time when I am in places where nature is at its most wondrous and astounding, I just have to stand still, close my eyes and breathe in... deeply.

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