Colorado Rockies - September or October
Getting ready to plan our fall trip to Colorado, two to three weeks. Would you suggest September or October for fall colors and wildlife? We want to avoid snow-covered roads, but cold is OK. Probably will rent cabins or Homeaway for a week or so at a time, and part of the time will be traveling up and down the east and west side of the range. I'd like go on Hwy 62 across from Granite, where we'll be staying at first - looks like an interesting drive!
I lived in Colorado for five years and traveled extensively, backpacking, camping, and such in the higher elevations as well as up and down the Front Range and Western Slope. For your stated purpose, I also recommend October- but not too late in the month. The Aspen and such turn color much earlier at the higher elevations, and the risk of snow at higher elevations obviously starts earlier as well. Temperatures will drop at night, but your daytime temperatures in the "lower" elevations where you say you will be spending most of your time, can and likely will be very comfortable and "Springlike" well into October – then again you could get a "freak" snowstorm- no guarantees. Have fun! It's endlessly beautiful, and there are photo opportunities galore- around every turn.
The fall colors vary greatly with altitude and location. The Aspens change color first at the higher elevations, and the colors move down the mountains over a period of several weeks. In Summit County, the colors usually are best in very late September, and slightly lower elevations it's best in October.
However there is variation year to year, probably depending on the amount and times of high moisture and rainfall. Last year was the best in my rather long memory, and the snowfall was a little early and remained high through most of the ski season.
There is no one time or location that is always best - flexibility and freedom to move around are your friends.
mikegreenwald wrote:
The fall colors vary greatly with altitude and location. The Aspens change color first at the higher elevations, and the colors move down the mountains over a period of several weeks. In Summit County, the colors usually are best in very late September, and slightly lower elevations it's best in October.
However there is variation year to year, probably depending on the amount and times of high moisture and rainfall. Last year was the best in my rather long memory, and the snowfall was a little early and remained high through most of the ski season.
There is no one time or location that is always best - flexibility and freedom to move around are your friends.
The fall colors vary greatly with altitude and loc... (
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Good advise above. We have been twice in the last 3 years. Oh course, it varies from northern Colorado to southern. As a corridor, Between Sept. 20 and Oct 10 would be prime time, depending on rainfall and elevation. If you can be flexible, read the online reports starting Sept 1 and be ready to go on a few days notice, especially if you have a certain area in mind. I pushed back my first trip 10 days due to conditions, and then last year had to move it up 8 days due to conditions.
The colors are at their peak here at the end of September and beginning of October, moving from north to south. Which Granite are you talking about? The tiny hamlet on the Arkansas headwaters near Leadville? Hwy 82 over Independence Pass and down to Aspen is pretty spectacular. The best road for aspen color is the gravel road over Kebler Pass, from Paonia Reservoir to Crested Butte, off Highway 133 between Carbondale and Hotchkiss. But these two are pretty full of people that time of year with lots of "calendar" shots. Taking some of the less traveled back roads would be a good option, say from the town of Yampa to Meeker (south of Steamboat Springs) or along the Trough Road and River Road following the Colorado River from Rocky Mountain NP and Kremmling to Glenwood Springs. I live in Glenwood Springs and have been traveling all over Colorado for the past 46 years. Get off the paved roads where you can, but check locally too. GPS and Mapquest aren't always the most reliable sources. For example, you really don't want to go over Scofield Pass unless you are a veteran four wheel drive person with a serious back roads vehicle. That said an excursion past Marble up to the townsite of Crystal will take you to the Crystal Mill, the second most photographed scene in Colorado after the Maroon Bells. Just don't go further unless you are well prepared.
As others have said the dates of peak fall color in the Rockies varies according to altitude. I've attempted to attach a map color coded for peak fall color by altitude in Colorado. Hope it attaches and is helpful. This was for 2018 and their is variation year to year. I hope the image can be enlarged. If not a google search for Peak Colorado Fall Color by Altitude Map may find it.
I live in the central rockies about 20 miles south of Granite. Peaks vary from year to year but in our area the last half of September is best. Further to the SW, (think telluride, Ouray, etc.) it's usually the first week of Oct. Snow in the mountains is common during this period though they are typically light snowfalls accompanying fast moving cold fronts. Snow can add a lot to the scenery in the fall.
dsp
Loc: Denver, Colorado
Best times are late September to early October. As everyone has stated, higher elevations are earlier. Aspens peak early. Snow is always a strong possibility.
BlueMorel wrote:
Getting ready to plan our fall trip to Colorado, two to three weeks. Would you suggest September or October for fall colors and wildlife? We want to avoid snow-covered roads, but cold is OK. Probably will rent cabins or Homeaway for a week or so at a time, and part of the time will be traveling up and down the east and west side of the range. I'd like go on Hwy 62 across from Granite, where we'll be staying at first - looks like an interesting drive!
I recommend the first week in October. Fall color means a chance of snow. No guarantee that snow can be avoided in the mountains after mid-September. Color peaks at different times at different locations and altitudes. Best views are along unpaved county roads—4-wheel drive Jeep or SUV highly advised.
Late September, early October... Estes Park, the Elk will be gathering their girlfriends, the Aspen will be a glow.
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