West Maroon Creek Valley, Elk Mountains, Aspen, Colorado

The pyramid-shaped peaks of the Maroon Bells rise to over 14,000 feet just left of center in this photograph. These iconic peaks form the centerpiece of the 181,512-acre Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area; one of Colorados largest such preserves. A total of seven summits in the Elk Range top out at over 14,000 feet above sea level. These mountains also host some of the most extensive aspen groves in the West. Depending on the previous summer’s moisture and temperatures, the first aspen leaves usually begin to change color by mid September with the last trees shedding their leaves a month later. This photograph was captured during the last week of September.