Early morning in Colorado: rain droplets on fallen aspen leaves. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Afternoon in a Colorado aspen grove. (Francine Orr / LAT)
At 12,000 feet in elevation, Isabelle Glacier stretches between Apache Peak, left, at 13,441 feet, and Shoshoni Peak, 12,697 feet. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Aspen leaves begin their autumn change of color along a footpath above Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Dead trees compose an abstract mosaic near Red Rock Lake, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
The rippled surface of Red Rock Lake, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
According to local legend, the spirit of Chief Niwot remains in these rocks near Boulder, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Wild aster, Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Autumn’s cast-off wardrobe at 9,000 feet near Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Indian Paint Brush grows in a meadow above Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Last year’s aspen leaves, Colorado. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Aspen thrive near an old mine above Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Ward, Colo. Population: 150, give or take. (Francine Orr / LAT)
From the top down, Jonah Blitt, 11, and Oliver Zahn, 10, hang out in the Ward, Colo., Public Library. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Poet Mike Parker and his 17-month-old daughter, Franchesca, at home in Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
One last piece of pie at the Millsite Inn, in Ward, Co. BYO milk and book. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Peace and quiet at the Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa off Highway 72 near Ward, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Some cabins at Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa have wireless connections. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Setting the mood at Alices Restaurant, Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Bluegrass musicians Doug and Telisha Williams at Alices Restaurant, Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa. (Francine Orr / LAT)
One of the smaller visitors at the Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa. (Francine Orr / LAT)
In autumn, elk are frequent visitors to Estes Park, Colo. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Aspen leaves change color in the crisp autumn air. (Francine Orr / LAT)
The last remnant of autumn. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Red Rock Lake in the icy grip of cold wind. (Francine Orr / LAT)
