Horse Ranch Aspens
HORSE RANCH ASPENS
Near Crested Butte, CO
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). This shot is taken from a parking area just across from the Horse Ranch parking area on the Kebler Pass.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
8,835 Ft. Elevation
Downloads
View In Google earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the parking area about Horse Ranch park
From Crested Butte - travel west on CO RD 12 (Kebler Pass) for 11.2 miles until you see the Horse Ranch park (with a bunch of trucks with horse trailers) on the right side of the road. Just past the entrance to the Horse Ranch park, take a left on a dirt road going up a small hill to a parking area. The road can be bumpy and sometimes muddy.
The shot above was taken from the parking area up the hill.
Photography Tips
This shot is all about the timing and the lighting. The aspens above the Horse Ranch parking on the Kebler pass can include gold, yellow and bits of red. However, this set of aspens has a mind of it’s own and may change at different times that other aspens around Crested Butte or even on the Kebler pass. The aspens are easy to see while driving on the Kebler pass, so just wait until the fall colors are ready and set up shop on the hill on the opposite side of the road from the Horse Ranch parking (there is a dirt road to this location).
The shot above was taken in just before sunset to provide a soft side light glow on the aspens.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 160 mm
Exposure – 1/8 th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Sept 26th
Time – 6:52 pm
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This shot is best in late afternoon toward sunset
Best Time of Year
The best time of year to shoot Aspen trees is during the fall color season (depending on the year, this ranges between the last week in September to the first week in October). In this part of the country, the Aspens are mainly yellow to golden and change at different times based on elevation and exposure.
The above shot was taken on September 26th
Lens(es) Needed
This shot was taken at 160mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
There are no permits required on the Kebler pass.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of this shot is northeast around 50°.
Equipment Needed
No special equipment is needed.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
The parking area above the Horse Ranch park can sometimes be crowded with other photographers, hunters or folks camping. However, there is plenty of places to stand to get this shot.
Weather
The weather in Colorado is normally mild in the summer, cold (lows in the 20’s) in the spring and fall. This location is almost 10,000 ft. elevation – so the temperatures are colder than most locations around this area.
Cell Service
Cell service is usually good on most parts of the Kebler pass.
Lodging & Camping
There are a few campsite near and/or several places where dispersed camping is available/allowed on the Kebler pass.
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Lodge at Mountaineer Square
620 Gothic Road, Crested Butte, CO
Grand Lodge Crested Butte
6 Emmons Loop, Crested Butte, CO
Nearby Restaurants
The closest town is Crested Butte, home to plenty of very good eating and drinking establishments. It is a GREAT little town and one of my favorite places in all of Colorado. When in Crested Butte, make sure you stop by McGills or Butte Bagels for breakfast. They will both be busy but worth the wait. The secret for Butte Bagels is to call in your order and pick it up in the back.
For a nice Italian dinner, eat at Marchitelli's and for a great steak, try Elk Ave Prime (make sure you make a reservation for both).
Area Guides and Workshops
None