Thursday, October 6, 2016

Leaf Peeping with Dee

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
September 27, 2016


Leaf peeping is always at the top of our fall list of things to do.  Last week we joined Dee for a jaunt over the moderate rated La Sal Pass and then connected to the easy Geyser Pass which made a perfect loop through groves of scrub oaks, aspens and evergreens.  The weather was perfect...clear and crisp, the trails were cleared from fallen trees from the recent snow, and the leaves were gorgeous.

It's always a pleasure to follow Dee.  Our CB radios were full of chatter, laughter and lots of oohs and aahs. 







It was just the three of us so we could stop as many times as we wanted to take pictures. 








 



 When we stopped to take in the views at Mount Peale, Dee spotted a hawk in the top of an evergreen.  He was pretty far away. 








I zoomed in as best I could with my 70-300 lens.  It's always a thrill to see hawks.  He was busy scanning the meadow for lunch.  Finding nothing there, he made one swoop and was gone. 
















The only other wildlife we saw was a flock of turkeys crossing the trail.





























We did encounter a section of trail on Geyser Pass that was icy and slippery...that added a little extra excitement !






















It was a delightful, peaceful day.    
Looking down on Moab Valley as we were heading home...and yes, Pearl was very muddy !

















Until next time, happy trails !

















21 comments:

  1. What a fun day just the 3 of you, so peaceful and more great photos.
    We are hopping to get into that area at the end of the month for a drive through, hope the weather holds.

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    1. Weather should be good...chilly nights and mild days. Safe travels!

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    2. Chilly nights don't bother us, just S**W stuff we don't want to drive in on our way there.

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  2. That's a wonderful drive, we were up there last fall.

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  3. Awesome pics of your beautiful drive! The aspen cathedrals are gorgeous! and perfect weather, looking forward to your next adventure...

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    1. We have done a few trails Jeff...just can't seem to find time to blog !

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  4. What lovely color. There's nothing quite like Autumn.

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  5. Those Utah aspen are peaking while our aspen are almost naked... snow blew into Ouray a couple nights ago. Time to follow Ms Autumn to Utah.

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    1. If you are headed to Moab Mark, we will be here till the first of Nov. Give us a shout!

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  6. Hard to beat the fall show in the western mountains - great shots

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    1. So true...the maples are pretty, but the golden aspens with the sun light are so stunning!

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  7. Very nice drive. It definitely looks like fall.

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    1. The LaSals' trees have peeked,...now we are enjoying fall colors in the valley. It's like 2 falls Jeri!

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  8. Oh, Gay, what a great drive! The colors and mountains are so beautiful:) I love when the aspen get a touch of red on the gold! How nice to just have the three of you so you could really take your time. I was wondering what was in (on) the mirror. Mud!! A wet ride indeed:) So many spectacular photos! Thanks for showing us one of my favorite places in the fall:)

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    1. If you and John are here next fall, we will all have to go together! It is a great drive with a necessary stop at the car wash afterwards.

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  9. Wow, I sort of missed this glorious aspens last year, thanks to your drive, the golden leaves are showing off.
    Nice reflection shot of the aspens on Pearl !

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