Colorado leaf-peeping not a slam dunk experience

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. ( KDVR ) — Traveling the state to tell amazing Outdoor Colorado stories is, well … who’s kidding who: It’s fun.

A little downtime does a couple of fellas good, so photographer Cody White and I (Dan Daru) headed down south on Highway 285, past Conifer, to Kenosha Pass. We went looking for some amazing aspen leaves.

We got skunked — our trip was a day late and a dollar short.

Leaf peeping in Colorado is a lot like chasing a feral cat. You might get close but mostly you will see it from a far. So Cody and I had an idea (sometimes we do that). We called our friend and professional outdoor photographer John Williams for a little help. That was a good call.

Williams headed up to Rabbit Ears Pass and Grand County. He takes gorgeous pictures and videos. The man paints with a camera lens. He’s been at it for over 30 years.

Williams says the best time to take a great picture is early morning or late evening when the light is just right. Timing is everything.

At the end of the day, leaf peeping is not really about the destination, but the journey with a friend.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.