Valley and Mountains

On a gray fall afternoon, we hiked toward Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the crisp air and the breathtaking scenery. Although the peak of fall color had yet to arrive, bursts of vivid hues were already beginning to show.

Along the trail, we stumbled upon this view: a small cluster of aspen trees aglow with vibrant yellows, standing out against a backdrop of dark green Douglas-fir forest. The trees framed a natural corridor, leading the eye straight to the aspen grove. Beyond, the landscape opened up to reveal a distant ridge of snow-dusted peaks.