Things to do / Travel Guide
In the Four Corners region you will experience a different type of fall foliage viewing - golden trees with a backdrop of desert mountains and buttes. In this area, late September is known as the “fall gold rush.” Nevertheless, the area is remote and seldom crowded, and furthermore, some roads in the area are primitive.
Peak viewing time is typically during the first half of October.
The prime foliage viewing areas are in the Colorado corner of the Four Corners Region, around the reservoirs in Mancos State Park and Navajo State Park.
Fall Foliage in the Four Corners - Viewing Routes
In the Colorado corner of the Four Corners region, State Road 160 between Durango and Mancos is a recommended route. Colorado State Department of Parks recommends: “From Durango, drive down to Mancos early in the morning to capitalize on the variety of wildlife and bird viewing available. Spend the day wandering the trails around the park or canoeing on the open water. Both are a great way to take in the splashes of fall that abound in Southern Colorado.”
In the Utah corner, follow the Abajo Loop Scenic Backway (U.S. Highway 191) between Monticello and Blanding.
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 Durango and Four Corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado
Fall-Foliage
Abajo Loop Scenic Backway (US191; Monticello - Blanding)
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