The famous dancing aspen trees of Colorado, once a kept secret, now a regular stop for workshops and a viral Instagram attraction. When I first visited this location over a decade ago, before Instagram popularized it and workshops flocked here, it was a different scene altogether. In fact, I only knew 2 or 3 other photographers that knew the location of the trees and I liked the fact that this hidden gem was kept a local secret. There wasn’t a trail to get to them, and the grasses grew tall all around the trees. Now, the entire area is trampled and very little grass remains. People have begun peeling bark off of the trees, and the experience is completely transformed for the worse. If you decide to visit, do so with respect and let’s protect these places for future generations. more
Matt Payne Article 2024 3