Kebler Pass Road (Gunnison County Road 12), Somerset, CO, 9/25/2011
On a crystal clear early autumn day, I explored Gunnison National Forest and the West Elk Mountains of Colorado on my way to the town of Crested Butte. The West Elk Mountains are a mountain range in west-central Colorado, and are part of the Rocky Mountains. Here is the view south from Gunnison County Road 12 at an elevation of 7,825 feet above sea level, looking out over Snowshoe Mesa behind golden quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides). We're directly above Schaefer Creek and Grouse Spring Creek. This natural garden scene attracted me because of its colorful trees and shrubs, all backlit by strong afternoon sunlight. Backlighting really brings out the colors in autumn foliage! In the distance at left is the foot of West Beckwith Peak.
