The U.S. Forest Service is preparing for the annual invasion of the leaf peepers at the Maroon Bells, but anyone venturing into the high country around Aspen right now will just see lots of green.<\/p>\n
While timing of fall colors always varies from year to year, nature seems stuck on summer in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs of now, we\u2019re just noticing a lot of green everywhere,\u201d said Shelly Grail, recreation staff manager for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. She spends a lot of time in the field and has been in Maroon Creek Valley, the Crystal River Valley and Independence Pass within the past week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine we\u2019re at least a week behind and our peak would likely be more at the end of September and beginning of October instead of the middle of September,\u201d Grail said Thursday.<\/p>\n
Leaf peepers already have been checking out the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, one of the most popular destinations in Colorado for fall colors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we heard from people last weekend (at Maroon Lake) was, \u2018We\u2019re here, it\u2019s not yellow yet, we\u2019ll be back,\u2019\u201d Grail said.<\/p>\n
On paper it\u2019s shaping up to be great for fall colors. The Colorado State Forest Service website says: \u201cAccording to the United States National Arboretum, a wetter growing season followed by a dry, sunny autumn with cool but frost-free nights results in the brightest fall colors.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Aspen area checks off all those boxes. It had an abundant snowpack that lingered well into spring, delaying the greening up of vegetation. Wildflowers in the high country bloomed late and lasted into August. The fall has been extremely dry, with August recording its sixth-lowest<\/a> amount of precipitation in 68 years.<\/p>\n Many local residents have observed that the scrub brush, oak, serviceberry and chokecherry are curing later than usual. There is just a hint of color on hillsides covered in brush.<\/p>\n Some observers also have noted that there are areas where aspen leaves are turning brown, dying and falling off the trees rather than transforming into a vibrant yellow or rust color. Various observers have noted similar conditions in Maroon Creek Valley, Fryingpan Valley, Kebler Pass near Crested Butte and Trapper\u2019s Lake on the Flat Tops.<\/p>\n Grail said she has seen pockets of aspen trees in Maroon Creek Valley where the color of the leaves is a dull brown that is \u201cmore drab than vibrant.\u201d The hope is the drabness won\u2019t be widespread as fall progresses.<\/p>\n The state forest service website said the health of aspen stands is critical for the display of strong colors and retention of leaves in fall.<\/p>\n \u201cUnhealthy aspen stands are less likely to have vibrant colors, and the more robust an aspen stand is, the more attractive the colors will be,\u201d the site said.<\/p>\n Based on past timing of peak colors, the Forest Service and Roaring Fork Transportation Authority made plans to expand weekend service for the Maroon Bells shuttle starting this weekend.<\/p>\n scondon@aspentimes.com<\/p>\n