8 Finest Locations For Fall Foliage Alongside The Continental Divide In Colorado

Mountaineering the whole size of the Continental Divide Nationwide Scenic Path is on many a hearty soul’s bucket record. Nonetheless, solely 200 folks a yr really contact the bottom of the whole path from the start to the very finish.

Each continent on planet earth has a divide; some have a number of divides going in several instructions. Apparently, not all move north to south. North America has many, and 5 exist in the USA. The longest is the Nice Divide, a whopping 3,100 miles lengthy originating in northern Canada earlier than passing by way of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico after which persevering with by way of Mexico.

Yearly, I take a pilgrimage to South Dakota from Texas to go to family and friends. Fall is at all times my most well-liked time to take this journey. The roads and eating places are much less crowded, the climate is cool and alluring for tenting alongside the best way, and the trail is a canvas of colours and textures solely harvest season presents.

One yr, a fantastic fall season within the Rocky Mountains was predicted. Colorado was fairly a deviation from my regular path, however being retired meant I had a lot of time to take a gradual highway journey with my canine Tipper. The golden Aspen forests beckoned this avid leaf peeper.

My objective to observe the Continental Divide was lots much less lofty than the hikers, and I used to be extraordinarily glad to find asphalt roads winding alongside the nationwide scenic foot path. Leaving Texas in early October we uncovered wonderful locations plus a couple of loopy chipmunks alongside the best way.

Leaf Peeping In The Colorado Rockies: The place To Start 

Our place to begin in Colorado was the small Victorian-era preserved city of Trinidad, thought of the gateway to the scenic Colorado State Freeway 12 additionally referred to as the Freeway Of Legends. In 2021, this route by way of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains was designated a Nationwide Scenic Byway which was already tinted with varied oak timber in splendid crimson and purple hues and introduced us to our first 4 fall foliage locations.

1. Spanish Peaks

The 82-mile Freeway of Legends has many fascinating options alongside the best way, akin to uncommon volcanic formations from the Spanish Peaks, tales of outlaw hangouts, and sacred Native American websites. Close to the city of Cokedale is an fascinating lengthy rock wall with holes resembling an historical Roman highway that’s really a string of outdated coke ovens used for smelting coal from a close-by mine. At this decrease elevation, the autumn colours are nonetheless a touch at what’s to return.

2. Stonewall Hole

Because the highway heads north and rounds the bend, the Spanish Peaks meet the valley ground, a tremendous skinny slice of rock shoots out of the mountain at Stonewall Hole the place a small mountain village grew. Surrounded by Ponderosa pines that keep endlessly inexperienced, there are few fall colours on this space, however the distinctive stone formation has colourful legends connected to this Colorado icon.

3. Weston Monument Lake Resort

As our elevation rises, the autumn season hues grow to be extra vibrant as Monument Lake seems. If I had recognized in regards to the Weston Monument Lake Resort, this might need been my selection for lodging. The temperature was reducing as we went greater, and far colder than anticipated for sleeping in our tent on the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park. The resort’s adobe cabins would have been excellent, a spot of tranquility obtained whereas taking a step again in time at historical Native ruins close to the cabins surrounded by crimson and yellow cottonwoods.

4. Cuchara Go And Cuchara Village

Coming into the San Isabel Nationwide Forest, jaw-dropping views of the West Spanish Peak interspersed with inexperienced gold and crimson oak and hickory timber dotted alongside the Cucharas Go move previous our window. Within the coronary heart of the Cucharas River Valley, I arrived in time for lunch at a favourite respite for Colorado outside fanatics, the Cuchara Village. Established in 1883, the as soon as stagecoach cease continues to be a spot to search out good meals, lodging, and mountain provides.

Professional Tip: Obtain the Freeway of Legends audio tour earlier than you go. The precise Legendary route takes 2 hours; nevertheless, I spent 2 days on this route, so when you’ve got a time constraint, plan every cease rigorously.

5. San Isabel Nationwide Forest

Simply north of Alamosa, we catch Freeway 24, slowly coasting at a decrease elevation because the prairie evolves right into a forest ablaze with golden aspens. Coming into the San Isabel Nationwide Forest, all roads result in fall foliage magnificence. Crystal clear rivers slice their manner deep into the forest, usually working alongside the freeway.

The San Isabel Nationwide Forest is damaged up into sections interspersed between mountain peaks. A lot of the forest is the right elevation for aspen timber, and so they have been of their full golden glory. It doesn’t matter what highway we took, we happy our leaf-peeping dream.

Professional Tip: Aspens develop between 6,000 and 11,000 toes however are at their finest at altitudes above 8,000 toes.

As we approached the Rocky Mountains, we discovered many roads referred to as passes that cross over the mountain peaks traditionally created by miners, loggers, or trappers. These industries minimize down the unique mountain pine timber, which nature changed with deciduous timber that lose their leaves in model within the fall. Consequently, over time a couple of of those passes have grow to be common for fall foliage scenic drives.

6. Monarch Go

Crossing the Continental Divide at 11,375 toes, the unique cross was established in 1880 and was solely satisfactory in the summertime. The current-day Monarch Go is alongside US 50 close to the city of Salida. For a tremendous view of the Sawatch Mountain Vary now ablaze with coloration, take the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway positioned in Salida, which permits pets.

7. Tincup Go

The Tincup Go highway is a rugged option to cross the Continental Divide and is finest used for these in high-clearance 4×4 autos. To take a a lot simpler route close to this highway, head north on Freeway 285 and make a left on Nation Highway 162 simply earlier than Nathrop. The highway ultimately turns into a well-maintained dust highway, and probably the most stunning leaf-peeping drives I discovered on this journey.

16 miles from Nathrop on the very finish of the highway is St. Elmo, a ghost city that has not been forgotten with recently-restored buildings providing espresso, pastries, and trinkets. Guarded by noisy and hungry chipmunks, the primary avenue ends at a well-liked trailhead. A pleasant campground coated in fallen aspen leaves that seem like gold cash is close by, flanking the Iron Metropolis Cemetery. We opted to maneuver on.

8. Independence Go

Leaving the ghosts behind in St. Elmo, we head again to Freeway 24 for Independence Go close to Leadville. The elevation will increase with every switchback flip, forsaking golden aspens for fir, spruce, and pine timber. The Chalk Mountain vary rises above the tree line; its naked slopes of grey rock are common with off-road car drivers. A protracted line of golden oaks and cottonwood timber anchor the large stone rising after loggers eliminated the pines.

9. Tennessee Go

The Eagle River runs by way of the Tennessee Go, permitting degree land for a serious railroad line. The Rio Grande’s Tennessee Go line was the very best lively mainland railroad mountain cross in the USA for a few years. This drive contains hairpin turns and twists with scenic views of a tumbling river and railroad bridges towards a backdrop of mountain pines streaked with slivers of golden timber. The majestic Purple Cliff Bridge looms immediately becoming a member of mountains with practice tracks.

10. Boreas Go

Boreas Go is a twisting highway constructed within the 1860s as a route to achieve gold mines. Thought of probably the most scenic drives by way of the Rockies, the highway is used extensively by employees and vacationers within the ski business. In the course of the fall season at this greater elevation, the Rocky Mountain maple timber flip rusty crimson and cottonwood timber are varied shades of yellow backdropped by never-changing inexperienced pinon pines.

Quickly after passing the Purple Cliff Bridge, which is definitely inexperienced, we took a slight detour off Freeway 24 on Water Avenue, a steep highway by way of a fantastic crimson rock canyon to the small city of Purple Cliff, a summer season fly-fishing paradise.

A forecast of snow led me and Tipper to the Inexperienced Bridge Inn, a riverboat-styled lodge that makes use of beetle-damaged wooden for a singular rustic look on inside partitions. The Mango Mountain Grill throughout the road served wonderful mango shrimp tacos and craft beer.

11. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Aiming for the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park after an early winter storm the evening earlier than, we entered the park on the jap aspect of the mountains on the entrance close to Estes Park. The scene was distinctive, solely doable possibly as soon as in a lifetime. The autumn season was close to the top, however not over.

Snow-dusted timber with yellow, orange, and crimson leaves that refused to fall have been backdropped by Ponderosa pine timber and snow-covered mighty mountains. Thick grey clouds passing over our heads threatened our go to however didn’t cease us from having fun with the day no matter misplaced time, chilly fingers, and frozen paws.

Professional Suggestions

Touring the Colorado mountains within the fall has a lot of execs and a serious con — unpredictable climate. Being versatile is essential. A brand new app designed for monitoring future climate conditions alongside your route is Drive Climate.

Take Colorado one journey at a time. There merely should not sufficient minutes on a clock to see each a part of these mountains excellent for mountaineering, biking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or fishing. Return, many occasions, throughout completely different seasons to see Colorado’s numerous habitats with an unbiased lens every time.

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