Things to do / Travel Guide
The foliage experience in the Rockies is characterized by the golden colors of the aspen trees mixed with the greens of the evergreens, and even some snow-capped mountain tops. In this area late September is known as the “fall gold rush.” The mountainous setting provides spectacular views accessible by trails of various length and difficulty. Good viewing is easily accessible from the major cities in the region, though a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for some routes. There are additionally several historic railroads for an interesting foliage experience. In this part of the Rockies, the views are very accessible - short drives from the major urban areas get you right in the middle of the action. Most likely, however, you will want to hike or drive a bit further in.
Peak viewing time is typically during the second half of September.
Fall Foliage in the Front Range of the Eastern Rockies - Viewing Spots
Near the Denver metro area, and in and around Boulder, are three popular fall foliage viewing sites. Chautauqua Park in Boulder is popular among the locals, as it combines history, culture, nature and active pursuits. Lodging is available in the park, and there are hiking trails of various degrees of difficulty.
A few miles beyond Boulder, at Eldorado Canyon State Park, take an autumn stroll through the canyon and along South Boulder Creek and witness a blushing spectrum of color. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, further out, offers hiking and biking on more than 35 miles of inter-connected trails through golden, aspen-filled meadows.
Georgetown may be considered the capitol of the fall foliage area for Denver locals and visitors. It is easily accessible in under an hour from Denver by I-70, and once there, there are several interesting options to enjoy the scenery. All this in addition to the fact that Georgetown is of interest to travelers as a Rocky Mountain mining town. The town is loaded with Victorian buildings, and it has become a trendy tourist area. What that means is, expect crowds on weekends, especially during peak foliage season.
Close to town, enjoy the Georgetown Loop Railroad. World travelers will point out that while they have traveled on other old trains that take an hour and go nowhere, on this train it is a one hour moving show of nature and human engineering. The train runs only on fall weekends, and it is advisable to reserve in advance. Photographers will take advantage of the looping layout to capture the end of the train as it rounds a mountain curve.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers miles of trails and many scenic overlooks. After the leaves turn color, the snow starts falling, and then most of the park closes by wintertime. So get there quick and enjoy the fall.
The Cache la Poudre River north of Rocky Mountain National Park is Colorado's only wild and scenic river, followed closely by the path of Scenic State Road 14, also known as the Poudre Canyon Highway. Fall's colors abound in Poudre Canyon, at Cameron Pass and in State Forest State Park, both accessible by State Road 14.
Fall Foliage in the Front Range of the Eastern Rockies - Viewing Routes
State Road 14 is an excellent drive in the northern-most part of the state, when coming from Fort Collins. The show starts to the west of the town of Poudre Park, as the road enters Poudre Canyon; it continues over Cameron Pass, passes through State Forest State Park and eventually ends at Walden. The stars of the show are the colorful cottonwoods along the river and the golden aspens as the road climbs into the mountains.
Trail Ridge Road, in Rocky Mountain National Park, crosses the continental divide and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet, well above the timberline. The road, from Estes Park to Grand Lake, takes about three hours to drive and enjoy at a leisurely pace. Fall foliage and wildlife viewing options abound. Note that by mid-October, the road is closed to snow, not to open again until Memorial day, after some serious snow plowing.
The Peak to Peak Highway comprised of parts of State Road 119, State Road 72, and State Road 7, was build to enjoy the scenery as well as to get places. The road follows a winding route, at times crossing valleys and at times skimming the peaks. The highest peak at 14,255 feet, Longs Peak is in clear view. Expect to see aspens along the route. The northern end of this route is in Estes Park and the southern end is in Black Hawk. There is no shortage of activities in either of those places.
Further south, the Guanella Pass Byway runs from Georgetown to Grant. This is a gravel road, but suitable for all vehicles. Expect crowds on peak foliage weekends, or go on a weekday. The best collections of aspens are south of Guanella Pass. The contrast with the evergreens is especially beautiful. The road peaks at an elevation of 11,669 feet, above treeline.
Fall Foliage around Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak - Viewing Spots
Golds, reds and oranges guide your tour from Colorado Springs to Buena Vista, along U.S. Highway 24. There is no need to complete the entire 100-mile, one-way trip to Buena Vista, unless you are headed in that direction. The fall foliage experience can be enjoyed the entire way, but you can also stop to enjoy the incredible views. There are some 50 miles of hiking trails at Mueller State Park, 30 miles west of Colorado Springs, and at Eleven Mile Park, 50 miles west of Colorado Springs.
A unique experience year round, Pikes Peak Cog Railway climbs all the way to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak, making it the world's highest cog railway. As the train climbs to the treeline and above, the fall foliage experience changes along with the climate and just about everything else (including your ability to breath!).
Furthest south, departing from Canon City, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers the best experience of the Royal Gorge on a breathtaking, two-hour scenic and historic train ride on the most famous portion of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western train line. The breathtaking 24 mile route offers spectacular scenery, fall foliage, and wildlife viewing. The gorge is a natural wonder, and the railroad is an engineering wonder from the 1870's.
Fall Foliage Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak - Viewing Routes
A scenic, approximately 75-mile loop from Colorado Springs begins at U.S. Highway 24, traveling west to Divide. The route connects to State Road 67 from Divide south to Victor, and then to Gold Camp Road from Victor back to Colorado Springs. Parts of the route are on primitive roads, but anyway you won't be in a rush to get back to Colorado Springs.
Thanks to the lucky folks at Colorado State Parks for providing some of the above descriptions.
About Fall Foliage
Tree leaves at all stages of life contain multiple pigments, though these are masked by the dominant green of chlorophyll during the spring and summer seasons. Chlorophyll is an important element in the production of the plant's nutrition, a process that comes to a halt by fall. In non-evergreen trees in this season, the chlorophyll breaks down, allowing the latent orange and yellow pigments to finally appear. Additional chemical changes produce the reds, purples, gold and bronze, for an endless palate of fall colors. Ultimately, the combination of colors is dependant on many factors, including the type of tree, its elevation, the temperature, and conditions during the summer.
Fall Foliage Spots in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Cheyenne Wyoming and the Eastern Rockies
Fall-Foliage
Eldorado Canyon State Park
Gold Camp Road (Victor - Colorado Springs)
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Guanella Pass Byway (Georgetown - Grant)
Peak to Peak Highway (SR119, SR72 and SR7; Black Hawk - Estes Park)
Poudre Canyon Highway (SR14; Poudre Park - Walden)
Rocky Mountain National Park
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
US24 (Colorado Springs - Divide)
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