Sophia May
Best Fall Hiking In Colorado – Poplars have a specific tone as they alternate between the yellows and reds of the fire. Like flames in the wind, the glorious measures of death rise in life. This list of the best fall hikes in Colorado provides insight into where to go to see the show without the crowds.
Fall weather in Colorado is a must on any Rocky Mountain bucket list. There are tons of things to do in Colorado in the fall, but hiking has to be at the top of the list.
Best Fall Hiking In Colorado
After spending 13 years in the Rockies, I’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the best fall hikes in Colorado.
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If you want to experience Colorado Falls like a local, not a tourist, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to getting out in Colorado without the crowds, I’m a total project.
For the past decade, I’ve been chasing fall colors in Colorado – I’ve even timed my wedding with the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. So if you want to experience the beauty of fall in Colorado without the crowds then you are definitely in the right place.
I get asked a lot when the leaves change in Colorado. It turns out that every year is a little different. However, there are some general rules.
Due to the dry summer, autumn is coming a little late this year. The main sighting from most of the state (except the southern hill ranges) is around the third week of September.
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With average snowfall and low precipitation, the aspen will be in full color this season, but the surrounding vegetation can dry out quickly. In the cooler, northern part of the state, the leaves first turn around the 18th of the month, while the southern part of the state will have peak colors in early October.
Local tip: If you plan to follow the mail along the I-70 or 285 corridor, you’ll rarely go wrong on the third weekend in September.
Aspens show their magic at a slightly different time each year. This is mainly due to the rainfall and weather throughout the year. Generally, leaves start to appear between the second week of September and October.
Peeping season, as it’s often called, begins in Colorado at the northern end of the state and slowly moves south. Peak season for aspen viewing in Colorado’s most popular hiking areas is usually between the second and fourth weeks of September.
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Take a look at the best fall hikes in Colorado to add to your bucket list this year. This personalized list of hikes offers the best hikes in the Colorado mountains during the fall season. Each tour offers something different. All tours listed are dog friendly unless otherwise noted.
If you’re looking for spectacular mountain views without the crowds, head to Ptarmigan Lake. The trail itself is gentle, with some steep sections, but nothing difficult.
There are many lakes along the route, all of which are worth exploring. If you’re lucky enough to get early snow here, it’s a real treat! Bright autumn colors contrast with the snow-capped peaks.
Difficulty: Medium Average Time: 3 hours Dog Friendly? Yes Bureaucracy: The right route is from Cottonwood Pass and easy to get to, just check for obstacles.
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Local Tip: Don’t forget to check out the top of Cottonwood Pass for a great fall hike in Colorado.
During the aspen season, sections 5 and 6 of the Colorado Trail are fully operational. Avoid this area like the plague unless you want literally hundreds if not thousands of people on the trail.
Consider Section 4 of the Colorado Trail instead. As one of Colorado’s best fall color spots, it certainly gets its fair share of fall.
It’s going to be a rough ride. There are many long sections on this hike as the elevation gain is over 3,200 feet. However, you will be walking through old aster forests.
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Go ahead, take a moment and walk in the bush, stop and listen to the peace around you.
After the climb, the tour leads to an attractive alpine meadow. The variety of herbs will send you into a colorful sea. A magical experience just a stone’s throw from Denver.
Mileage: 16.1 miles one way. Cycling is better unless you can walk 30 km a day. Another option is to walk into the valley from the beginning of the section, have a snack, rest and enjoy the flora, then return.
Less than an hour from Denver, this trail offers a big explosion of fall colors. The ride is pleasant and you can relax in the lake after the ride.
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Run down a series of steep switchbacks (remember to switch back) and pass through a beautiful, colorful alpine valley. Take the last one to the upper lake and be rewarded with great views and plenty of scenic views.
When most people imagine Colorado, the first thing that comes to mind is aspens in the fall. At a place like the Burrow Trail to Windy Peak, it’s easy to see why.
However, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s definitely going to be a tough weekend. I voted the Burro Trail the best weekend getaway in Colorado for fall foliage.
Golden Gate Canyon is only 20 minutes away from the Golden Gate. When I visited on a Friday morning, I had the place all to myself and it was magical, making it one of my favorite fall hikes near Denver (and one of the best hikes near Evergreen as well)!
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Another great place to bask in the glory of Twisted Aspens. Although this trail is rated as difficult on AllTrails.com, it is a moderate trail. Windy Peak offers stunning views of the slopes, full of knee-jerk Colorado fall colors.
Hike Facts: Burro to Windy Peak is a 6.4 mile hike with about 1,900 feet of vertical gain. Located off Drew Hill Road, it is easily accessible by any vehicle. There are other beginner trails you can explore in the area that offer the stars without the hassle.
Difficulty: Medium Duration: 3.5 hours Dog Friendly? Yes to red tape: $10 park entrance. Pay at an autonomous station
Upper Piney Falls is one of the best fall hiking trails in Colorado. One of the best places to see fall colors in Colorado is Upper Piney Falls, a must-see.
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Start near a beautiful lake and walk through a magical aspen forest until you reach a magnificent waterfall.
The payoff is huge when you hike in a gorgeous aspen forest. Get there early and enjoy the morning light as it filters through the bright poplar leaves. Ambitious hikers can continue down the trail to reach a hiker-cut trail that leads to the mighty Kneeknocker Pass.
Local tip: Kneeknocker Pass is a tough and challenging hike for avid hikers (9.1 miles, lots of dirt, and 3,221 feet of elevation gain).
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Average Time: 3 hours Dog Friendly? Yes, on the Red Line: To reach the road, you have to drive for an hour on a dirt road (suitable for passenger vehicles).
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Fall in Colorado goes beyond gorgeous aspen foliage. High Alpine Lakes is one of the best fall hikes in Colorado. Rough, remote and beautiful. Salmon and Willow lakes are no exception.
As one of the most popular destinations on offer, it’s still not overly crowded. To begin with, there is no overnight parking in the nearest lane.
What it lacks in comfort, it makes up for in beauty. Even though I wasn’t here in the fall, I knew from the faintest colors that this place would be gorgeous in mid to late September.
East Thorn and Red Peak dominate the valley with their spectacular formations and interesting dihedrals. The trail ends at the top of Willow Lake, where it comes face to face with the iconic Zodiac Spires. Colorado, you are simply sexy.
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Most approaches kill the pine beetle. Be prepared for little shade and lots of fallen trees. You didn’t think it would be easy, did you? Then there’s the gore.
Difficulty: Average Average Time: 6 hours Dog Friendly? Yes to red tape: Overnight parking is not permitted on the street. Parking is limited.
Well, this trail stars in the fall. We chose to hike in early fall with lots of smoke so we wouldn’t technically be able to see the changing colors, but because you’d actually be hiking through an aspen forest and then enjoying a wide open space. . are covered. In poplar forests. With killer views, this is a must-see fall trip in Colorado.
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Best Hikes In Colorado » The Modern Female Hiker
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