Flagstaff Color Part Six

One of the most popular drives in Flagstaff is along Hart Prairie Road (Forest Road 151). People who can’t hike or don’t like to hike love it because they can get beautiful photos from their car or very close by their car. The following image is the view everyone wants to shoot.

Hart Prairie Road finally turned by the end of my stay. (Canon SX50)

A large part of this area was donated to the Nature Conservancy (CLICK HERE for info) where retreats are often held. I’ve never spent the night in one of their cabins but I’ve been there and it is spectacular property. Anyway, I had forgotten there were private homes along the road too. Some were for sale. The following image shows the entrance to one.

Property for sale along Hart Prairie Road. I think it was about 20 acres and 1.5 million!

I love photographing Aspen Trees against the sun! Hart Prairie Road. (Fuji X E-1)

There are several Aspen Protection projects going on in various locations north of Flagstaff. Protection of saplings was necessary because so many don’t make it to full size. I have included a photo of the sign that is posted all long the fence line.

Sign explaining why the Aspen are in need of protection. (Galaxy Smartphone)

One of the protection areas. I put my camera through the fence to get a shot of these wonderful shadows. (Galaxy Smartphone)

A closer look at the baby Aspen being protected by a fence. They need thinning, don’t you think? (Fuji X E-1)

The following image shows one of my favorite areas along Hart Prairie Road. I love it because it shows life after death. There was a devastating fire here some years ago and as you can see, the Aspens are returning! (Be sure to click image for full size)

The baby Aspen you see in the background are fenced in to protect the saplings from being nibbled by Elk and Deer. When the trees are large enough to withstand the nibbling, the fence will be removed.

My last day in Flagstaff was spent on my favorite trail…. the Inner Basin Trail. I had already been twice and although I did find Aspens turned at about 1 mile, they were still green farther up which is where I really wanted to shoot. You can see the first Aspens I found HERE. Following is what those looked like on my last hike!

These Aspen were in full color on Sept 29th. This is what they looked like on Oct 8th. (Canon N)

Two miles up, the goal of my trip is realized!

This area of the Inner Basin Trail is truly spectacular! The trail switchbacks in one of the largest stands of Aspen I’ve ever seen. (Fuji X E-1)

Couldn’t resist shooting one last Aspens in the Sky shot!

So that’s it for this trip. Well…OK….almost. The next post will feature Aspen Faces and Camping Cats 🙂