2022-12-03 08:26:57
In the fall, Colorado is transformed into a natural arena of shimmering colors, with the state’s signature gold aspen trees serving as the main act. Everyone wants to see Colorado’s stunning autumn golds and reds, but it’s tricky to predict when and where the leaves will be showing off. September is the ideal month to spot fall colors, but you have to time it right. When one area’s color fades, another is just changing. A good strategy: Select travel dates in advance, but not destinations. Then go wherever the color is best. Autumn is one of our best-kept secrets. Soak up our golden season by adding these activities to your trip itinerary. Scenic Drives These leafy routes get you close to gorgeous fall foliage. Dallas Divide Head west from Ridgway on CO 62 over the Dallas Divide to Telluride. Unimpeded views of the Sneffels Range line the route with an apron of aspens. Kebler Pass Drive west out of Crested Butte on County Road 12. The ruddy colors of the Ruby Range make for a radiant contrast with the golden aspens below. Grand Junction to Grand Mesa Go east on I-70 along the Colorado River to see glowing cottonwoods. At CO 65, go east and then south to the Grand Mesa for brilliant aspens. Cottonwood Pass Down Cottonwood Pass Road west of Buena Vista, enter an aspen-laden valley to see the fickleness of fall — one slope gold, another still a shade of summer green. CO 17 From Antonito, drive up the serene Conejos River Valley, where pinyon trees give way to aspens. Some of the oldest and tallest aspens in the state can be seen near La Manga Pass. Poudre Canyon Take CO 14 west of Fort Collins to the top of Cameron Pass, a low forested saddle on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Views stretch down into the North Park basin near Walden. Frontier Pathways Head west out of Pueblo on CO 96. The route climbs into the Wet Mountain Valley, passing aspens blazing with color along the way. Highway of Legends The La Veta to Trinidad route on CO 12 begs to be photographed as it wraps around the Spanish Peaks amid tracts of pine, scrub oak and aspen. Take a Ride Get out of the car to see our oranges, yellows and reds up close. Ballooning Hundreds of feet up in the crisp Colorado air, the colors unfold below in a seemingly unending canvas of yellow and gold. Horseback Riding Somehow, aspen viewing is a different experience when sitting astride a saddle. Consider a trail for the day or book a vacation at a Colorado dude ranch. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Travel deep into aspen-covered backcountry while riding a four-wheeler, ATV or 4x4 vehicle. Find yourself surrounded by speckled aspen bark, as a golden canopy of color rises above you. Go for the Gondola Many of Colorado’s 28 ski resorts (see page 14) offer scenic chairlift rides throughout summer and fall. Hop on, relax and survey the colorful trail-carved mountainsides as you glide to the summit. Bike the Byways Our 26 official scenic and historic byways meander through breathtaking landscapes and, during autumn, the sights are absolutely magical. Byways are known for driving, but who’s to stop foliage-hungry cyclists from taking on a challenge with such glorious rewards? See page 74 for a map. Hop a Train Several of our scenic trains (see page 57) offer special fall-color rides in September and October. With the train’s engineer at the helm, you can focus on how to best capture the vibrant colors in a photo. Breathe in the crisp fall air as you wind your way over scenic hill and dale along these historic routes.
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