We stayed in Twin Lakes last August hiking to the historic Inter-Laken resort. Although summer is beautiful, visiting Twin Lakes in autumn is not to be missed! The colorful aspen on the mountainsides, the golden willows and grasses along the lake, the snowfall on the mountaintops–what a view!
The view above is looking southwest, the view below is looking northwest. Mt. Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains at 14,440 feet. Although not a dramatic craggy mountaintop (rounded peak with the most snow) and considered an easy climb, it is still a challenge. Depending on which of the two standard routes you choose to the summit, you will gain 4,400 or 4,800 feet in 4.5 or 7 miles. It will also be about 25° cooler. On a warm to hot summer day, that will be a shock to your system! The trailheads to make the climb are nearby, but today we are here for a picnic and beautiful views.
The patches of color across the mountainsides are Quaking Aspen, very unique trees. A stand of aspens is one huge organism with its life force underground. With enough sunlight, the 1-20 acres aspen root system will sprout its trees. The trees in each stand are clones, genetically identical to each other with the same branching structure as well as fall color transition and ultimate color. They also age and die at the same time as the root system produces a new stand of clones. Looking at the shades of green to gold across the mountains, you can see the different stands of clones. To learn more, thanks to the rangers at Bryce Canyon National Park for their simple and thorough explanation of the unique root system that grows Quaking Aspen (see Plant Lore section).
Ribbons of aspen.
Here we are at our picnic site. Could we ask for a more beautiful view! Twin Peaks, the two points near each other toward left. What a day!
Until next time my friend, enjoy the autumn beauty in your neck of the woods!
