Colorado Quaking Aspens in Fall

Jim Zornes, forester and district ranger at the USFS Leadville Ranger District, took a railroad trip through the Arkansas River Valley to the Continental Divide to view the beautiful autumn quaking aspens of Colorado. All photos were taken by Jim and used with permission.

Leadville, Colorado is located in beautiful quaking aspen country. Leadville was incorporated in 1878 and is the highest incorporated city in the continental United States at 10,152 feet above sea level. It is also the county seat of scenic Lake County, Colorado.
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad is a touring train with its headquarters and depot in Leadville. Mining and railroading were a large part of the local history, and the train trip is designed to offer a step back in time: The Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad

From Jim Zornes: "This is the Colorado and Southern Railroad. It used to be a Denver and Southern route when mining was a blowing and going. It starts in Leadville at an old station and runs about 11.5 miles up toward the Climax mine."

Map of Aspen/Birch Type - USFS
The Western Fir Aspen Life Zone