A colorful, picture-perfect journey across Colorado’s mountain passes
Last weekend, near the peak of fall colors in Colorado’s central mountains, reports out of Georgetown were of standstill traffic and cars being turned away. The season has come with heightened enforcement around Guanella Pass, where officials have worried about safety amid the surge of Front Range leaf peepers.
Meanwhile, The Gazette’s Christian Murdock was venturing far beyond the Front Range.
“It hasn’t been overwhelming like Guanella Pass, but there’s definitely people out here,” he said during a coffee break in Ouray.
The photographer was exploring the San Juan Mountains after taking Cottonwood Pass over the Continental Divide. He proceeded to Kebler and Ohio passes outside Crested Butte. From there he drove toward Ridgway, on to Owl Creek and Lizard Head passes. From Ouray, he was bound for Red Mountain Pass to Silverton, where he planned to veer off for Engineer Pass.
Far beyond Guanella, so many aspen-splashed mountain passes awaited.
Every autumn as the trees turn and Murdock prepares to shoot a gallery, he always picks a theme. What better theme than these portals to elevations where aspens thrive?
Simply put: “It’s just easy access, and it’s an easy way to see everything,” he said.
Everything expected and unexpected. Murdock knew what to expect on Kebler Pass, a favorite destination over his 25 years photographing Colorado. But then there was the unexpected — clouds and colors dancing upon a reflecting pond.
Murdock had spent less time on Kebler’s offshoot Ohio Pass. He admired Lost Lake and the captivating rock formation aptly called The Castles.
He knew another towering formation awaited on Owl Creek Pass: Chimney Rock. But he could not have known it would glow a mesmerizing red from the setting sun.
Murdock knew the roads. But “you gotta be flexible, because you don’t know where it’s gonna lead you,” he said.
Take that as a word of advice. And take this as a cautionary tale: Murdock came by a pickup truck that had tipped over the edge of Ohio Pass. The driver and passenger were safe.
“I don’t know if they weren’t paying attention and just kinda went over or what,” Murdock said.
Yes, it’s easy to get distracted while driving this beautiful time of year. And it’s easy to stay put and still appreciate the season — thanks to Murdock’s camera.
