Colorado Rockies - September or October (Page 2): Thanks, Duck. We'll probably go late Sept for two weeks.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

duck72 wrote:

I lived in Colorado for five years and traveled ex... (show quote)

Thanks, Duck. We'll probably go late Sept for two weeks.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

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!

A couple of years ago I asked the group here to help with Colorado planning. I had visited The Rocky Mountain National Park about 30 years ago and wanted a refresher on the best places to see. Someone told me to forget RMNP and head to Ouray which is about 6 hrs. south-west of Denver. That was great advice! We went around the 20th of October and missed the peak aspen color by a week to 10 days. I was told by someone in Silverton that depending on the weather, the peak could be anywhere from the last few days of September to the third week of October. There was still a lot of color but it was very spotty -- like in canyons where the trees were more protected from the elements. Ouray sits between two 13,000 foot mountains. Drive about an hour south and see Silverton, CO -- an old west town with dirt streets. Take the Durango/Silverton train from Silverton down to Durango -- plan to stay the night and ride the train back the next day. You can go to Durango and make the round trip in one day but if you board the train in Silverton, you will need to stay overnight for the return trip. In Ouray, sign on for a jeep excursion into the back country. They will take you to places not accessible to the general public. Places like old mining towns and overlooks of the valley. If you plan to stay two weeks or more, I would plan on being there from around the 5th to the 20th. That would be the most likely window for the max color.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Riverrune wrote:

The colors are at their peak here at the end of Se... (show quote)

Thanks, River - the Yampa to Meeker loop looks good. We took a month-long trip last year and now DH says he wants a shorter trip this year. Me, I want to go while we can still do long drives. I think we'll compromise and spend a week at Estes Park as a base for the RMNP first week in October, then second week back through the park and on to the Yampa Meeker loop, then choose our easterly leisurely way east back home, seeing sights along the way.
We won't do any fourwheeling - our car can't and we limit our gravel road treks. Last trip we spent a few days exploring old mining towns south of Granite/Leadville. Depending, we might swing by there.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

MountainDave wrote:

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.

Thanks, Dave - we stayed at Winmar Cabins near Granite in June for a few days on our way back from Durango last time via Ouray and Montrose. We went up into one of the old mining towns. Our son was 15 and got a big kick out of picking through mine tailings for a small rock with a bit of silver ore. Beautiful country!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

dsp wrote:

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.

Beautiful photo! Leaf-peeping won't be our primary reason to visit but hopefully will be a big bonus for us. A little snow we can handle. Just don't want to be sliding around a lot.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

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 usually plan my trips to that area for the last week of September and first week of October, or else the first 2 weeks of October. For 3 weeks, I would go last week in September & stay as long as I could in October. If you're a little early, you can always go to Moab for a week; always good photograph opportunities around Canyonlands and Arches NP.

crushr13 Loc: Sacramento, CA

Try September, since then you can get a little baseball,too. Not 100% sure it will be available in October, though it could be. But September might be better, at least to include some baseball. (humor here - and I am not a Colorado Rockies fan, but I am a big baseball fan.)

Either way, enjoy the Rocky Mountain areas. It is a bucket list thing for me that I hope to do. I just don't get around so well anymore. ENJOY!!!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Bridges wrote:

A couple of years ago I asked the group here to he... (show quote)

I n 2008 we did a grand tour of the southwest in June, AZ>UT, then east to Mesa Verde, Durango train trip, then onto Million Dollar Hwy to Montrose and east past Black Canyon of the Gunnison to Granite, then to Idaho Springs and the Phoenix Gold Mine, then back thru RMNP and home. 6000 mi in 16 days. In June 2002 on way back from points west we went to the Dinosaur Natl Mon. then back thru RMNP.
This is the first trip since I was a child that we'll be doing more than a driveby, so I'm looking forward to some quality Rockies experiences.

Gallopingphotog

On the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the village of Grand Lake just outside the entrance, is about the exact opposite of Estes Park. Lots of good bars and restaurants, no chain fast-food joints (as of last year), no movie theater, good art galleries, right on the lake. Kawuneeche Valley is thick with elk, we've seen moose on the lawn of our favorite restaurant (Rapids Lodge). We've seen two bears but they are pretty uncommon since the village began requiring bear-proof dumpsters about 10 years ago.
I don't think I would want to go later than the first or second week of October, but then, I don't like snow!
This photo, from the East Inlet trailhead of Grand Lake, was taken 10/11 so the aspen are past their prime. I have some others of the highway farther south where the colors are still very vibrant.
Have a great trip!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Gallopingphotog wrote:

On the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, ... (show quote)

Beautiful! We stayed one night in Grand Lake in1998. I'll look for somewhere to stsy thete. Estes Park did look a bit generic.

howlynn Loc: pueblo west, co

BlueMorel wrote:

Thanks, River - the Yampa to Meeker loop looks goo... (show quote)

The Yampa to Meeker is a great drive, good road. Near the Meeker part of the loop is
CR 8 which will take you 11 miles to Trappers Lake which is within the
flattops wilderness area. At trappers lake you will also find trappers lake lodge, which has
cabins for rent. This area is off the power grid but the lodge runs generators for power
to the cabins until early evening. New owners of trappers lake lodge have just taken over
as of 2019. The new owners are ranchers from the Meeker area, checkout their website.

I would also like to recommend a photographers guide to all of Colorado,
John Fielders best of Colorado 5th edition. Available on amazon, by amazon and
is also amazon prime under $25 new. John is one of the top landscapes photographers
in Colorado.

You are coming the best time of year to Colorado. I agree with end of September
early October. Have a great trip.

Riverrune

If you do stay at Trappers Lake Lodge try and make it when the moon is small or new. When they turn off the power at 10pm the entire universe is overhead!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I doubt that the Rockies will make it to October. Better to see a game in September.

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

Wanderer2 wrote:

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.

Great map! I live in Montana, on the Eastern edge of Glacier Nat. Pk. & was about to respond that late Sept/early to mid-Oct., is best. The map says it all. Do be prepared for early snow though. One never knows. Happy shooting.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

SteveR wrote:

I doubt that the Rockies will make it to October. Better to see a game in September.

Only if the Milwaukee Braves are playing! I still remember my Eddie Matthews t-shirt from when I was four!