Road Trip: The Dancing Aspens

One of the coolest things about Colorado are the aspen trees. I wish we could grow them here in Arkansas, I would turn my entire yard into an aspen grove if I could. So while we were in Colorado, it seemed imperative that we try to find the famous and iconic Dancing Aspens.

The Dancing Aspens are a small collection of aspens that are curved and bent so that they appear to be dancing. They are very photogenic, and have become a popular destination for photographers and artists. In order to protect the trees from being overrun with Instagram influencers and vandalizers, many are trying to keep the exact location of the trees a closely-guarded secret. Before our trip I spent a few months researching the trees, trying my best to find out where they are hiding. I found lots of vague hints, and got a general idea of the location.

So when we were in the area, Eric and I tried to find the trees. We thought they were along a certain dirt road, part of which was closed. It was hard to find any details online about where exactly the road was closed, and which section. So we drove as close as we could, parked the car and started walking as the road passed through a grove of aspens.





And after a little bit of walking, we saw them. They were off to the side of the road, just far enough away that they would be easy to miss if you weren't paying attention. We rushed through the tall brush along the roadside and made our way to the trees. They were amazing to see in person.





No one knows why the trees are curved like this. It may have been from "soil creep," or perhaps the trees were hit by an avalanche when they were younger.



The trees actually sit by a large clearing, which is probably because it's a good place for avalanches to tumble down the mountain.





Being here, I can easily see why so many people want to keep the tree's location a secret. The trees still seemed to be pristine. No one had carved their names or initials in them yet. The area around them wasn't trampled down or trashed. There was no graffiti or vandalism. It's sad that places have to be protected from people. But I've seen lots of natural places that have been "loved" to death.



It makes me think of the person who visited the Glory Hole Waterfall in the Ozark Mountains a few years back, one of the more unique and interesting waterfalls in Arkansas. That person decided that this place needed their "artistic" input, and they added hundreds of handprints on the bluff behind the waterfall. Which are still there, years later. That one action has forever altered the scenic beauty of that waterfall. My Father-in-Law likes to tell people to "Leave It Better Than You Found It." I wish more people would take his advice, and keep natural spots natural.