Enchanted Forest
ENCHANTED FOREST
Near Ridgway, CO
I call this shot Enchanted Forest – as the spot seemed surreal in the way the Aspen trees invite you into their grove. The morning I took this image - the weather started out perfect, but quickly turned as a fall storm moved in.
For just a few moments a thick fog bank rolled in which gave the place a dreamlike appearance. I quickly set up my camera behind my Jeep and was able to take only 2 pictures before the sky opened up. This is the one I kept.
This location is found in a large Aspen forest in southwest Colorado on a dirt road connecting Ridgway and the Owl Creek Pass. The spot is about a half mile from of Debs’s Meadow (which was the final shootout scene between Robert Duvall and John Wayne in the original True Grit movie). If you like photographing Aspen trees this road offers tons and tons of opportunities.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The location is just off the road, but the dirt road getting there is bumpy with a few rocks and holes along the way.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
click for a Google map of the location
Downloads
View In Google earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the Enchanted Forest parking area.
From Ridgway - travel north on US 550 for 1.7 miles until you get to CO RD 10 (a gravel road leading to Owl Creek Pass). Mark your odometer at this point (the total distance from the turnoff from US550 to the location is 13.5 miles).
On US550 from Ridgway, turn right on CO RD10 for 4.0 miles until you get to the fork for CO RD8 – and turn right on CO RD 8 for 9.1 miles and you will see a sign for Stealey Mtn. TRAILHEAD.
From the Stealey Mtn. TRAILHEAD continue on the dirt road (CO CR8) for .3 miles and you will see a small pull-off on the right side.
The last 3 to 4 miles are driving through a thick Aspen grove, so keep your eyes out for many other photographic opportunities.
Photography Tips
I wish I could tell you that you simply drive up to this location and get the same shot as above but, that is not the case. This shot is all about the weather (both the seasonal and current).
First - this condition of this little Aspen grove is dependent on the amount of rain the area gets in the summer/fall months. Some years it’s perfect, some years it is totally dead. Second - as you can see from the image above, this was taken in a light rain with fog. Without these conditions, this shot is not near as dramatic.
From a photography standpoint, it is a pretty straightforward shot. However, there are different compositions based on where you stand along the road.
The image above was taken in 2012 and I visit the location each Fall when I travel through Ridgway, CO. On my last visit, in the Fall of 2021, the location had changed very little. This is an un-processed image of the location on Sept. 30. 2021. When I was there, it was a few days before peak and and was absent of fog. Other than that, very similar to the original scene.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 50mm
Exposure – 4 th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Sept 28th
Time – 7:54 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Because this shot is almost due south. In fall, I have found the best time to shoot is early to mid morning or on an overcast day. If there is a storm in the area or clouds hanging out of this mountain ridge, this would be a good time to capture this image.
Best Time of Year
This location is very nice during the spring and summer. However, for me the best time of year is during the fall color season (depending on the year – this ranges between the last week in Sept - 1st week in October). The VERY BEST time to capture this spot would be when the aspens are turning golden but before the red ferns turn brown and die for the winter.
The above shot was taken on September 28th
Lens(es) Needed
The above shot was taken with a 50mm lens - which allowed for some compression, but still with a sense of depth. You can use lenses that range from 24-100mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
There are no permits required in the area.
Direction of the Shot
The shot from the road is south @ 160°
Equipment Needed
Other than a tripod, there is no need for any special photography equipment.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
This spot is off of the beaten path for most photographers - so you could be alone or have just a few other folks in this little meadow during peak fall colors.
However, tripods attract more tripods.
Weather
The weather in Colorado is normally mild in the summer and cold (lows in the 20’s) in the spring and fall. Having never been to this location in the winter, I am not sure the road is open or maintained that time of year.
Cell Service
I use Verizon and cell service at this location is spotty. Better cell service is found as you drive down the mountain toward Ridgway.
Lodging & Camping
As far as I know, there are 2 hotels in Ridgway (they usually fill-up quickly in the fall, so make sure you plan ahead). Also, Ridgway State Park is approx. 4 miles north of Ridgway, and there are also several other hotels and lodging in Ouray, CO (approx. 10 miles south of Ridgway).
Ridgway State Park is a VERY NICE state park with lots of campsites ($24 for tent only and $32 for full hook ups) and includes pay showers, laundry, vending machines, and flush restrooms. Ridgway State Park is reservations only (800) 244-5613 or www.cpwshop.com
Nearby camping and lodging
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Ridgway State Park (4 miles north of Ridgway)
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa
(970) 318-7037
304 S Lena St, Ridgway, CO
Ridgway-Ouray Lodge & Suites
(970) 626-5444
373 Palomino Trail, Ridgway, CO
Nearby Restaurants
Ridgway is a GREAT little town to stay at, visit and eat. When in town, I always try to visit Kate's Place and the The Grit Cafe.
Kate's Place has a GREAT breakfast/brunch and I always try to stop there after my morning shoot. True Grit Café has a nice selection of cold adult beverages and a good menu. Ridgway was the location of the original True Grit movie with John Wayne and the True Grit Café was part of the opening scene.
I have also enjoyed a very good pizza and a cold brew at the Colorado Boy and one of the very best taco around can be found at Gnar.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
Kate’s Places
(970) 626-9800
615 W Clinton, Ridgway, CO
Gnar
(970) 626-9715
630 Sherman St, Ridgway, CO
Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery
(970) 626-5333
602 Clinton St, Ridgway, CO
Area Guides and Workshops
None