Moody fall day

While it was pleasant at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service has been posted for the Aspen area. Wind, cold temps down to 27 degrees, and snow are expected after midnight in Aspen, with less an than inch of snow forecast. The lower valleys may see freezing temperatures tonight as well. It should be windy with gusts up to 40 miles per hour in town and higher on the ridge tops. It should be a tough night to drive over Independence Pass, with some intense passing snow showers. It is also the kind of weather that frequently catches hunters exposed. Thursday morning, another inch of snow is possible in downtown Aspen, which comes pretty early, as sometimes it doesn’t snow in town until the end of October. The high peaks around town got a nice dusting early this morning. Storm looks like it will blow through by Friday, which is to be mostly sunny with temps in the low 50s. Fall colors are peaking now and are just beautiful. The mixed sunlight through the the clouds only highlights different patches of golden leaves. Just a stunning time to be in the high country. Where are you?

Movie Notes from The Meeting

Sundeck session
The screening of the new film from Teton Gravity Research at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain Friday night worked well from one perspective — it was a great Red Bull-fueled party that went well past midnight. It was the first time at The Meeting that a film had been shown at the Sundeck, but alas, the film projection set-up did not do TGR’s “Re: Session” much justice, as the film looked yellow and washed-out. One loyal TGR fan wondered aloud during the showing if maybe the boys at TGR were trying some new visual effect.If you looked past the projector quality, “Re:Session” was a solid effort,though, reflecting TGR’s usual “take no prisoners” approach to movies, life and skiing. Another Aspen screen date is not yet on the schedule on TGR’s website, but maybe the Jackson Hole boys will add a showing at the Wheeler if we ask them to.

“Dav” in deep
The latest ski film from Matchstick Productions of Crested Butte, “In Deep,” was well done and like many of the ski movies shown this year, included footage from the Haines, Alaska area. There, Aspen’s Chris Davenport is shown taking two terrible tumbles down a steep and rocky slope. Davenport introduces and describes both his falls in the movie, where a less confident athlete might have begged to be left out of the film. In the movie, Davenport signals after both falls that he was okay, but the tumbles are both truly scary looking, and both were caused by him catching a rock with a ski near the top of the slope. The segment ends without Dav getting “back on the horse” and taking a hero lap, which many in the audience were likely rooting for, and which hopefully he did in real life. His falls demonstrate how potentially dangerous big-mountain skiing is and how classy Davenport is for sharing the horrific experience with the audience. Davenport is also featured in the upcoming movie “Dynasty” from Warren Miller Entertainment while skiing in Norway. Here’s hoping to see him ripping things up in his usual flawless manner.

Warren in the Wheeler
While the legal details are worked out between Level 1, Warren Miller and Bonnier Corporation, owner of Warren Miller Entertainment, about "Refresh," it is safe to say that it was cool to hear Miller's voice come out of the big speakers at the Wheeler in the middle of a crisp and classy ski film. Now, we hope no one gets economically hurt in the squabble, or by the film, because the film is fun and Miller does a great job connecting to a young audience. If you never thought you'd care about guys sliding down rails in the city, "Refresh" might change your mind. If you are the guy sliding the rail, it should pump you up and make you crazier than you already apparently are.

Blood in the Wheeler
The movie “Blood” from was made by a pair of brothers working out of Aspen, Wyatt and Cory Stasinos and Zach and Aaron Hooper.The relatively short movie included lots of footage that appeared to be shot on terrain around Richmond Ridge, Little Annie and Independence Pass. It includes lots of hand-held shots taken while riding through deep snow and tight trees, and lots of shots of riders pounding through pillows of deep snow. The local fans in the Wheeler Opera House on Saturday gave this enthusiastic local film a good reception.

Fun on Saturday
The film, “Everyday is a Saturday,” from Poor Boyz Productions, includes some footage of the Winter X Games in Aspen and portrayed what it takes to be champion freestyle skier. It had some compelling interview footage with Aspen X Games veteran Tanner Hall after a recent accident where he severely damaged both knees. Hall hadn’t been out of the hospital long when he waved the filmmakers in to his house to interview him while he was still on the couch.

Taking a stance
“Stance,” a film from J Mills Entertainment, promised to “reexamine women’s snowboarding from the inside,” but the movie seemed more like a promotional vehicle for a variety of women snowboarders, including Aspen’s Gretchen Bleiler. There were lingering shots on clothing logos and lots of shots of trucks and snowmobiles. And much of the footage seemed to be shot in less than ideal late spring conditions. Still, the women riders ripped and they do things in the park and in the backcountry that most males aren’t ever going to try, or do.

Peeking leaves today on Indy Pass, nearly all trees and scrub bushes bursting with color.

Face of Aspen Mtn at peak color? Looks like it.

Another pleasant morning in the old mining town.There is a local movement afoot today to get and out and enjoy the weather while we can as there is snow in the forecast for Wednesday night. The National Weather Service is calling for one to two inches of new snow Wednesday night with a low of 29 degrees. Thursday also has another 50 percent chance of snow and a high of 39 degrees. After that, though, the weather forecast is calling for mostly cloudy or partly sunny conditions over the weekend with temps in the mid 50s. If the snow does come, it should make for a scenic backdrop to the fall colors.

September glory

Just a ridiculously nice afternoon in Aspen. Warm air, hot sun, glowing leaves and a chill vibe. Very nice Monday to round out the month. It is just quit-your-job nice, it really is. And, yes, there is still "snow" in the foreceast. On Thursday, there is a 50 percent chance of snow showers. It should be cloudy, with a high near 39 degrees. That's great, right? It is always great when it snows, right?

Moto-X track set-up for attendees of The Meeting at The Milk.

Paraglider heading for Wagner Park on a wing and a prayer on a blue-sky Sat.

Todd Jones of TGR sets up, with grace and gusto, "Re: Session," late Fri. night at the Sundeck

Gretchen signing autographs before the Aspen preview of "Stance."

Crisp, bright and sweet day along the river in Aspen Junction with more fall warmth on the way.

Travis and Dav, otherwise known as Twinkletoe Fantastic-tastic-tastic and Baby Blue Magic, working it...

The crowd favorite at the 7th annual NEPSA short film competition was "Aspen Extreme Redux," by James Logan, Tyler Middleton and Derek Koster. It was a good little spoof on the beginning of Patrick Hasburgh's now beloved "Aspen Extreme," complete with the van from Detroit rolling down from the Bells and across the top of Red Mountain.

The first place award from the judges went to "Apres 101" by professor Pat Sewell, a local self-proclaimed expert in advanced apres ski techniques and a professional apres skier. The short film had a nice clean logic to it, a collection of good local footage of Sewell, and ended with a splash. Should make a great self-promotional short. Second place was give to "Aspen Extreme Redux" and third place went to "The Flight of the Sniper Cub" by Mike Cuseo, which provided a bird's eye of early-morning Ajax from a camera on a small remote-controlled plane, complete with a Tecate beer can patch on the fuselage.

There was also some nice work from Nate Berkel on appreciation of neon and the dangers of fixation, while Aaron Berne and Chace Dillon shared some classic footage of closing day parties at Highlands. The biggest gasp of the evening came during "Speed Riding: Attack of the Killer Gringos," a film from Darrell Miller of Jackson Hole that featured skiers using paragliding-style canopies to ski and swoop off cliffs. Completely unhinged - yet apparently a very effective and graceful method of getting down a mountain.

The Vegas theme for the evening seem well-appreciated by the inebriated crowd. Chris Davenport makes for an athletic Elvis, Naka G on the turntables was right on it, and the NEPSA/Vegas sign was spectacular. The Meeting event continues today with a session on the state of the snowports industry and screenings at the Wheeler and the Sundeck. The Wheeler screenings begin at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the movies at the Sundeck start at 10 p.m. The gondy starts running at 9 p.m. for the event.

Somewhere on the outskirts of the winter of 09/10, talent beckons...

Not quite ski season, but we still find ourselves drawn to the base of Nell...

Okay campers, hope you enjoyed that tease of winter. It was just enough to remind us that we live in a ski town. But Sunday in Aspen should be sunny with a high near 78. We now return you to your regularly scheduled warm September. There is still a chance of snow in the forecast for Thursday night, with a low around 34 and a 20 percent chance of precip, which means coming over the pass could still be dicey. Friday should be sunny with a high of 62 — perfect for getting out on the trails. Saturday looks to be nectar with a high of 69 and then Sunday is coming in all balmy and such. Still, it’s a good weekend to take in a bunch of ski and snowboard flicks at “The Meeting.” Flicks are at the Wheeler Friday night and at the Sundeck on Saturday night. Tickets are at the Wheeler. Go get your stoke on.

Town of rain

Well, okay, at least it is not snowing in Aspen today. At least not yet. We’re all for snow and everything, but truthfully we can wait until Halloween. There is still a chance of some snow in the forecast on Wednesday night and Thursday, but we’ll see. It feels a bit warmer today under gray skies with a hint of rain. There is a cool event at the Wheeler Opera House tonight at 8 p.m. with Craig Childs, the author of “House of Rain” and “The Secret Knowledge of Water.” Childs is going to show photos of various locations around the southwest where he went looking for signs of an ancient people. The event is a benefit for KDNK, which launched its fund drive today.

Autumn arrives on frosty sled

A few snowflakes fell this morning and the top of Aspen Mountain looks like it got another dusting. Scattered rain and snow showers are in the forecast this afternoon, Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Wednesday night and there is a slight chance for snow showers on Thursday.

"New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible,” states the National Weather Service about Wednesday. Love that phrase, “new snow accumulation.” Haven’t seen that one in a while.

But it is cold and gray, for sure, on this first day of autumn. And a hat and ski jacket seemed like appropriate clothing this morning. At 12:40 p.m., it was 39 degrees in downtown Aspen. However, the NWS did lift the freeze warning as temps are supposed to slowly warm over the next few days.

Fall begins today at 3:19 p.m. and to mark the event, the Historical Society is presenting a talk, at 3:19 p.m., with River Rat Goddess Katie Lee, the queen of the once Glen Canyon, and the author of “Glen Canyon Betrayed.”

As Tom Egan, the communications director for the Aspen Historical Society, put it recently in an e-mail story pitch, “if you don't know, Katie is either 89 or 90 (born in 1919) and was the 3rd woman ever to run the Grand Canyon (in 1953) after Powell's expeditions.

“She has written 3 books (at least), is a songwriter and singer (with numerous albums from the '50s) and was an actress who was girlfriend to Burl Ives back when he was one of the leading men in Hollywood.

“She chucked most of that Hollywood life in the mid-50s to become a river running guide in Glen Canyon before Lake Powell and was devastated when it was damned. She is now an ‘activist’ living in Jerome, Arizona, who's goal in life is to see Lake Powell drained and returned to its former glory as Glen Canyon.

“I interviewed her about 10 years ago and she was the liveliest, sharpest, most energetic older woman I think I'd ever met, in the same category as Klaus.”

Wintry weather

An unsual early freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Aspen and much of Western Colorado tonight. The low in Aspen is expected to drop down to 30 degrees. Tuesday should be partly sunny with a high of 50 degrees. It should climb back into the high 60s by the weekend. It has been rainy, snowy, cold, and gray today in town, with small piles of snow ending up on the crooks and corners of rooftops downtown.

Something's falling

What could be called “snow” is falling outside, just after noon. It’s wet, it’s white, it’s close to hail, so maybe it is not snow. But Bell Mountain was nicely dusted after a passing storm this morning and we have reports of three inches of snow on top of the pass last night. Work to remove snow fencing on top of Independence Pass has been postponed today until better weather comes. Foliage is at a nice stage. Lots of early colors mixed with greens. Quiet autumn Monday in Aspen. Some nice events happening this week, with river goddess Katie Lee at the Historical Society to mark the equinox at 3:19 on Tuesday. Author Craig Childs will be at the Wheeler for a KDNK benefit on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and The Meeting gets underway with snow industry films, seminars and parties on Thursday.

There's this place...

...where it is good to go. Yes, it is outside of Aspen. But one of Aspen's strengths is its location on the Western Slope, on the Colorado Plateau, in the West. The Roaring Fork River runs into the Colorado River, which used to run into the Sea of Cortez. Float down from Aspen, take a left, surge across the state line into Utah, Arizona, California... It can take a long time to realize that Aspen's location as off-season base camp provides multiple opportunities to get out of town and take a break. Happy to live there. Happy to leave. Happy to come back refreshed and ready to spend a few weeks in town and then leave again! Sand, sunshine, and water is an essential combination that can be found in the West, a few wandering hours from Aspen. And so, we're off. Aspen Journal remains posed to capture the coming winter season with dispatches from the gondola. We'll be back in a week to pick up the drumroll of life in Fat City and start watching the snowline creep down the peaks to the bottom of Little Nell. In the meantime, keep those oars in the water.

Another soft summer day in the old mining town, where culture is the goal.

You know, move to Aspen, get a little house, walk to 1A on powder days, enjoy the blue sky.

Street monster takes downtown streets, citizenry stupified by industrial noise.

The meadow at Aspen's entrance

The view into Aspen this afternoon on what turned into a warm and gray day. As you can see, the grass in the meadow has dried out and turned brown and a few trees are starting to light up. The view provides an idea what coming into Aspen might have looked like years and years ago. No vehicles in sight today...at least when looking in this direction.

Sure, just a bridge...over a sparkling river in Western Colorado, on a sweet day, with no one around...

God, it’s a nice day. Really. The air is soft and crisp and the sun’s rays are hot. It’s amazing. Just closing your eyes and feeling the dry air on your skin is pleasant. Wow. Colorado is so nice in September. High of 74 forecast for Wednesday, with a lilting northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Maybe some clouds drifting in and out, but no rain yet. The rest of the week, through the weekend, looks like temps will be in the mid-70 and pretty sunny, especially over the weekend. Okay, we can deal with that. The hillsides starting to turn brown, gold, tan, yellow and orange. Slowly, subtly, but definitely, fall is on the march. It’s after Labor Day, as you know, so it is now officially okay to hope winter comes strong and early. Or at least right on cue for the Thanksgiving opening weekend.

Trout's eye view of a sublime September day. Few fishermen to be found.

Coasting into off-season

Another nice week of weather ahead of us, with temps in the mid-70s and no more than a 30 percent chance of showers. The California smoke is gone, the leaves are just starting to turn, town is quiet and it is a glorious time to be out and about in the Rockies. Cool. Labor Day is behind us and it is on to other pursuits and events and quiet off-season days.

Serving up the Motherlode volleyball tourney in Koch Park

Hot summer day in Aspen with a high of 75 and some blustery weather in the forecast. Maybe some thunderstorms this afternoon. Saturday said to be mostly cloudy with another high of 75. Sunday and Monday, still mostly cloudy with a high in the mid-70s.

An event weekend in Aspen with both a solid line-up of Jazz Aspen Snowmass shows and the Motherlode volleyball tournament. The v-ball tourney is a great boost to Aspen’s summer and is a huge reminder to all Aspenites to get to a beach, any beach, ASAP. In the meantime, the beach at Koch Park is gonna have to do. Welcome to all from far-flung shores.

New downtown fire station emerging on Hopkins Ave.

The Blue House, still a favorite Victorian in the West End, where first leaves are starting to fall.

Renovation underway at Paepcke Auditorium...

As a full moon rises in Aspen, a crowd gathers to watch a bear in a tree, in front of the courthouse. It has a "Jellystone Park" kind of feeling to it

It was kind of surreal, really. Driving down Main Street, and there it is, a Bear Crowd. A knot of people on the sidewalk rushing toward a rustling tree, pointing, laughing and smiling. The bears are delighting visitors who are not used to the site of large, furry and potentially dangerous mammals hanging out in their town. A photographer with a long lens got closer. The tree branches shook. The crowd moved across Main Street. They yelled at someone coming down the sidewalk to be careful. The dark spot in the branches came down and scampered off. The photographer followed. The people talked about the bear as the moon continued its climb.

Onward through the haze

WEATHER: Hot and hazy still, but at least no hillsides around have burst into towering walls of flames. High temps in the upper 70s today. The moon-set before dawn this morning included a huge orange moon dropping through the smoke in front of Sopris. We’re with you California, or at least, you are with us.

NEWS: SkiCo adjusts its season pass program to make it easier, perhaps, for people to choose between a full pass or a one-day-a-week pass with $49 lift tickets. The first deadline to buy “super-early” passes ends September 18. What are you going to do?

NOTES: WSJ reports that the DOW wants Aspenites to be mean to bears in town. Could be a rush on slingshots...

Hot and hazy over the upper Roaring Fork River Tuesday with CA smoke.