Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: grand mesa national forest

Grand Mesa Fall ColorsGrand Mesa Fall Colors

Grand Mesa Fall Colors

Autumnal Equinox | Fall Colors 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014

After getting home from the San Juan Mountains on Sunday, I turned my attention to photographing local fall colors this week. I did a little research online and found that the colors up on the Grand Mesa were looking pretty good right now, so I decided to head up there after work. I spent much of the evening photographing the colors between Spruce Point, Mesa Lakes and Skyway Point since they were looking pretty good in this area. The clearing clouds from the weekend storms created dynamic lighting conditions and a beautiful magenta sunset. It was a nice way to spend the evening. While I didn’t plan it this way, it just so happens that today was also the autumnal equinox, the official beginning of the fall season, so I guess it’s fitting that I was out photographing fall colors today. Before I get to the photos, I’d also like to point out that this is the 600th trip report posted on this blog!

CONTINUE READINGGrand Mesa Fall Colors
Leave a Comment
Mesa County High Point: Leon PeakLeon Peak

Mesa County High Point: Leon Peak

Mesa County High Point
Thursday, September 4, 2014

Since I had the day off from work I decided to go on a short hike close to home today. While I doubt I’ll ever try to complete all the county high points in Colorado, I thought it might be nice to at least climb the highest peak in Mesa County where I reside (and maybe a few of the surrounding counties, eventually). After a little research I found that Leon Peak on the Grand Mesa is the highest point in Mesa County at 11,236 feet and that it was a pretty short hike without too much elevation gain from a nearby campground. It would be a perfect hike to complete in a couple of hours this morning.

CONTINUE READINGMesa County High Point: Leon Peak
Leave a Comment
Snowshoeing to Water Dog ReservoirSnowshoeing to Water Dog Reservoir

Snowshoeing to Water Dog Reservoir

Saturday, December 22, 2012

On Saturday evening I drove up onto the Grand Mesa so I could get my first snowshoe trip of the season in. I ended up going to the Mesa Lakes area and following the route that goes past the Water Dog Reservoir. I didn’t bring my camera with me this time, but I did take a few photos with my iPhone that I’ll share. I only saw two other people the whole time I was out on the trail and I made it back to my Jeep shortly before sunset. It was a nice way to spend the evening.

CONTINUE READINGSnowshoeing to Water Dog Reservoir
Leave a Comment
Dallas Divide & Owl Creek PassDallas Divide & Owl Creek Pass

Dallas Divide & Owl Creek Pass

Fall Colors 2012
Saturday & Sunday, September 29-30, 2012

This weekend Amanda and I went back down to the edge of the San Juan Mountains for one last weekend of photographing fall colors this year. We ended up spending most of our time along Owl Creek Pass Road and north of the Sneffels Range near the Dallas Divide. The fall colors near the Dallas Divide were probably a bit past peak, but still pretty nice, but the area around Owl Creek Pass still had quite a bit of green.

CONTINUE READINGDallas Divide & Owl Creek Pass
2 Comments
Fall and Winter on the Grand MesaFall and Winter on the Grand Mesa

Fall and Winter on the Grand Mesa

Fall Colors 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

After work I decided to drive up on top of the Grand Mesa for a few hours to try and photograph some of the fall colors before it was too late. I was hoping to come back with a couple of photos, but instead I came back with a whole trip report! The colors were outstanding and the active weather provided a lot of interesting views throughout the evening. I even got caught in a snowstorm while on the very top, reminding me of the approaching winter.

CONTINUE READINGFall and Winter on the Grand Mesa
Leave a Comment