These may be the best weeks of the year for leaf-peeping Boulderites. September and early October is the perfect window to see the aspens explode in vibrant yellows in our area of Colorado, and this year the forecasts say the leaves will peak around mid-to-late September. On the Smoky Mountains National Park’s national fall color prediction map, viewers can watch the fall colors descend north to south, eventually departing mid-November.
Now is the time to plan an aspen grove adventure. Here are seven beautiful spots near Boulder to see Colorado fall before it’s too late.
Relaxed hike: Caribou Ranch
Caribou Ranch, near Nederland, offers one-, 1.5- and four-mile loops with minimal elevation gain through grasslands and aspen meadows. As of mid-September, an AllTrails user reported that “50% of the aspens are in autumn gold.”
Rocky Mountain classic: Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Head to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park for a scenic hike to Alberta Falls, featuring a trifecta of bright aspen groves, mountain views and a 30-foot waterfall. You can hike it as a 1.7-mile out-and-back or a 3.3-mile loop by connecting with a fire road. This trail is one of the most popular areas of the park, so plan to get there outside of peak times or take advantage of a shuttle.
City stroll: Mapleton Hill
Boulder’s Mapleton Hill comes alive with fall colors every year – but not necessarily, or even mostly, aspens. Wander down Mapleton between Broadway and 4th Street to admire the old-growth trees.
Gravel biking: Gold Hill loop
For gravel riders, “gravel god” Nicholas Legan recommends a route from Boulder to Sunshine Canyon, according to 5280. The ride gains roughly 3,000 feet over about 11 miles, then descends back into the city, for a 20- to 30-mile ride, depending on where in the city you start.
Also called the Gold Hill Loop, the route starts up Boulder Canyon Trail, turns onto Fourmile Canyon Drive, and then adds four miles of gravel on Gold Run Road. The latter two both offer scenic Aspen views and hard climbing. The climb ends at Gold Hill, at which point riders rocket back downhill on Sunshine Canyon. “It’s worth stopping on the descent because the views down into Boulder and across the valley are incredible,” Legan told 5280.
Mountain biking: Aspen Alley and Switzerland Trail
Mountain bikers can head out to Nederland’s West Magnolia trail system, where they’re guaranteed to find some leaves to peep on the Aspen Alley trail.
The Switzerland Trail, a former rail line that starts north of Nederland just off Route 113, is another great option to see the aspens. The grades are moderate, the rocks minimal, and the Gold Hill Road section in particular offers beautiful views of the mountains. The Boulder Mountainbike Alliance provides an even more thorough list to explore.
Train ride: Pikes Peak or Georgetown Loop
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes passengers to the top of Pikes Peak through Pikes Peak National Forest. The railway ascends the mountain through the trees on a route only seen by rail passengers and hikers. Rates start at $60 for adults and are typically $10 to $15 less for kids.
Or, wait a week to ride the Pumpkin Fest Train on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The railroad takes passengers from Georgetown to Silver Plume each weekend, but Oct 4-6, all kids on board will take home a pumpkin and candy. For a more adult ride, wait until the weekend of Oct. 11 and get free beer samples from local breweries with your ticket.
Scenic drive: Peak to Peak
The Peak to Peak scenic byway, running from Black Hawk to Estes Park and often lined with aspens, is one of the most iconic fall drives around. The 55-mile drive is broken up with a string of places to stop and hike, including Wild Basin in the southern portion of Rocky Mountain National Park and Brainard Lake.
Well done! Something for everyone.