Rocky Mountain National Park

The Aspens are turning in Rocky Mountain NP and Colorado.  How lucky are we to be here to see them!  This year the Aspen trees are turning early due to this year's drought.  Stressed trees turn earlier and drop their leaves soon thereafter, so timing is not something we could have planned.

Aspens form large groves of trees throughout the mountains.  They are "filler" trees.  They fill in spaces where avalanche, fire, disease or other gaps in the forest occur.  As a result they can be either non existent or be sprinkled throughout the mountainside.

Did you know that a grove of trees is usually just from one tree?  The tree spreads by underground runners and the entire grove is a "clone" of the original tree.  Their root systems are all interconnected.  As they are essentially the same tree, the grove is all the same color, turns at the same time and may be slightly different from the other groves on the mountain.

Another Aspen fact I learned today, the Aspens on the eastern side of the Continental Divide turn earlier than on the western side.

When the bright sun lights up the yellow gold leaves in the afternoon, they appear to glow.  The sun bounces off the white bark and the wind rustles the leaves and  almost makes music.  I can see why Coloradans loves their Aspens.  The Aspens are to Colorado as the cherry blossoms are to Washington.  

Two nights ago there was a snow dusting on Longs Peak in the park.  Longs Peak is the highest 14,000+ mountain in the park.  Overnight temperatures are right above freezing, we will be ready for Florida when we get back!