Autumn Aspen Forest. Dixie National Forest, Utah. October 5, 2012. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Autumn Aspen forests stretch across the landscape of Dixie National Forest, Utah

Is it ever to soon to start thinking about fall color? I think not. I made this photograph nearly five years ago on a big autumn trip around Utah. We started with a few days in California’s Eastern Sierra, then crossed Nevada by less-used routes to get to the area near Cedar Breaks. From there we headed east, eventually going as far as Moab before cutting across northern Arizona on our return trip.

This photograph was made not far from Cedar Breaks, along a gravel road that we happened to end up on for no other reason than we had some time and it looked interesting. The aspen forests here are more extensive that what I’m used to in California — they stretch over larger distances, and often the trees are straighter and taller. As you enjoy this beautiful scene, keep in mind that much of Utah’s wild lands — our wild lands — are under threat from political forces in the state that would place the short-term gain of a few special interest industries above the interests of the land’s current owners, you and me!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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