Sudden Aspen Die-off will likely impact the color this fall in the San Juans. SAM (Sudden Aspen Mortality) or, my own acronym, SAD (Sudden Aspen Death) is likely caused from years of drought. Beyond that, researchers seem to be at a loss. It is striking to drive down the highway and see whole stands of aspens withered and brown, most with no leaves at all. Various measures are being tried to remedy the situation, but at this point everything seems to be experimental. Whatever is tried, I just hope and pray that it isn't another case of man sticking his spoon into Mother Nature's pot and creating something ghastly. In spite of this news, don't think that fall in the San Juans will be lackluster; there are plenty of healthy specimens to give one the sense of fall and they are beginning to turn golden with shorter hours of daylight and cooler (much cooler) nights.