For most of us, prospecting for gold is a fantasy that will never be fulfilled. However, every fall in Colorado brings the opportunity for chasing gold. The aspen trees of Colorado paint the mountains with swatches of color just like an artists canvas.

This year I chose to take a few days during the last week in September to chase the colors. Medano pass from the Wet Mountain Valley to the Great Sand Dunes National Park has a number of large aspen groves. I drove the pass in the afternoon light and enjoyed the view of the aspens blanketing the mountains in the golden canopy.

I found a great backcountry site to set up camp and I was able to spend some time with the camera taking shots of the aspens. I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the story.