Quaking Aspens? (Woodland Park, Salida, Breckenridge: for sale, Home Depot, buying)

[Rangerspouse]

Does anyone know where the closest drive would be from COS to see the quaking aspens or are we too late or early? Someone told me tonight to try the drive to Cripple Creek. They thought that further north they may be finished changing. Any advice is appreciated.

[PokerMunkee]

I drive between Woodland Park and Cripple Creek everyday. During my drive home tonight, I was thinking that almost all of the trees have changed colors and it was beautiful with the sun down low! You will start seeing them a few miles once you turn onto 67 from Divide.

I think this weekend will be the best time to go.

[McGowdog]

If it's not too late up north, go through the South Park area and head on up 285 across that Quinnela (Canosha??) Pass... and I hear this weekend is the time to go.

The Greenhorn Mountain will probably turn soon and they have a bunch of "quaking" aspens on them. Not much to do up there though... except go to Bishop's Castle... drive on up the mountain via dirt road Ophir Creek.

I've got some pic threads showing the area.

Hwy 285 Fall Pics Photo Tour

Bishop's Castle Photo Tour

Westcliffe Photo Tour

San Isabel Photo Tour - pre fall

Mingus Family Ranch Photo Tour - pre fall

So... that's about all I got for now.

I hate Home Depot because of those stupid Quaking Aspens. They had 11 for sale for 10 bucks each. I asked if I could buy the pallet of them. She said yes. So I'm buying all the peat moss and stuff, the stakes, the stuff to tie the tree to the stakes, etc. And this SnuckFard comes up to me and says, "We can't sell you those. Since we didn't sell them outside, the vendor is going to buy them back."

Well good for you Home Depot. I hope you die of an ulcer.

[SheridanL]

You are so funny Dog!!
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard! So, IF you would have stepped outside to purchase the aspen...they would have let you have them?? Someone is "blowing smoke"!
I am going up to Lake OHaver this weekend to see the aspen. I have been camping there 3 weekends straight (last trip was on the 13th). They were starting to turn then. OHaver is out of Salida...SW.

[Terytee]

Okay...I'll just ask......what's a "quaking" Aspen?

McGowdog and Poker are both posts spot-on. I took a drive last weekend, up along 67 and then through the South Park area and it was beautiful. I got some great photos of the fall colors.

Everyone else seemed to have the same idea. Actually had "traffic" up through one of the passes near Breckenridge. Just a long caravan of slow moving cars. Everyone was enjoying the scenery.

Still worth it......ya gotta get it in while you can. The fall colors don't last too long around here.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Terytee

Okay...I'll just ask......what's a "quaking" Aspen?
. . .

The Tree Guide at arborday.org

Aspen, Quaking Populus tremuloides
Aspen, Quaking—Populus tremuloides


This fast-growing tree is the most widely distributed tree of North America, ranging in its natural habitat from the northeast coastal states to Alaska and down the Rocky Mountains into central Mexico. Stunning fall leaf colors accent the smooth greenish white to cream-colored bark on a long and narrow trunk. Tolerant of many soils. Plant in full sun. Grows 40'-50' with 25' spread. (Zones 1 to 7)

[Terytee]

Ah....learn sumthin' er'yday. Tks!

McGowdog, you want the store to die of an ULCER? Don't think it works that way! HEE HEE.

[SheridanL]

I am sending stomach pains as we speak!!!!
You go Dawg!!!!
Maybe, just maybe,...you could go to another HD?!!
I am guessing that you want to plant some aspens in the fall??RIGHT?
In Colorado....one has to plant in the Fall OR Spring...right???

[Rangerspouse]

We decided on the drive to Cripple Creek and there was some color still left although not as much as I'd hoped for large landscape shots. We went into Mueller State Park and got some fantastic photos of the family is the aspens though.

Thanks for the advice....we were happy with the choice!

[otowi]

I was up in the mountains this past weekend and there were many beautiful aspens, but the majority of them had already dropped their leaves - the aspen season was short and a week or so early this year. I suspect by this weekend there won't be much left to see.