FALL COMES EARLY to Colorado’s high country, often in August, occasionally even at August’s start. While lower-altitude locations down in the foothills might still be experiencing mid-summer heat, remaining green and lush and vibrant with life, the alpine tundra can already see chlorophyll fading and russet hues spreading…

This year I noticed the first hint of Fall on August 3rd – an impressively early start to the new season. Undoubtedly, a dry July contributed to it, with alpine vegetation str...