Aspen trees get all the fall-color credit. And what with the vast stands of gold, gold and more gold that vein the high country, it’s hard to look beyond their gaudy show. But we think it’s time to give the cottonwood, scrub oak, mountain ash, willow, sumac and prairie grasses their due. Down closer to the ground, underappreciated shrubs and trees shoot the fall through with every hue of the seasonal sunset, creating patches of autumn in shades that rival all that high-altitude glory.
HIKE
It may be a more subtle way to appreciate Colorado colors, but approaching the fall on foot, especially along the Front Range, gets you to places your mind can only imagine from behind the windshield. Plant ecologist Lynn Riedel is partial to Boulder trails because she’s employed by the city, but she also likes the loops around the Bear Creek Nature Center in Colorado Springs for their view of the short-grass prairie and blazing stand of scrub oak thickets. Her favorite close-in walk is the Greenbelt Plateau trail between Boulder and Golden, on Colorado 128.
What you’ll see: The trail takes you along the old Colorado 93 past historic stone culverts and through a high xeric tall-grass prairie that includes four main grass species. Look for: big bluestem, in bloom now with wine-colored seed heads that look like chicken feet; switch grass, ribbon grass with cloud-like seed heads; Indian grass, which is tall with chestnut-colored seed heads that feel silky as you run your hand over them. There’s a good chance of seeing some late-blooming wildflowers, too, including purple gayfeather and yellow aster.
How to see it: The Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead is just east of the intersection of Colorado 128 and 93. The trail runs north about 1 1/2 miles toward the Community Ditch Trail, which runs east through Marshall Mesa or west toward Doudy Draw.
Info: www.ci.boulder.co.us/openspace
ROADBIKE
The snow’s already started to dust the highest peaks around Leadville, but the fall leaves still are in fine viewing form along the 11.6-mile Mineral Belt Trail.
This paved trail begins in downtown Leadville and heads downhill to the west, runs through the Matchless Mine Valley and past stunning views of Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, the highest peak in Colorado, and to spots that let visitors soak in panoramas of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges. “It’s one of Leadville’s best assets,” says Leadville writer Kathy Bedell.
What you’ll see: History hasn’t been cleared away from the districts around Leadville, so expect to see old mining equipment as well as brilliant fall foliage. Because of the high altitude, the big show comes from the aspen winding through strong stands of pine, but keep your eyes open closer to the ground, too. The creekside willows have begun to blush yellow, and you’ll notice the alpine scrub has begun to turn to a carpet of orange.
How to see it: Walk, run, bike, blade or push a stroller. One day a year, the loop is open to motorized vehicles, so seniors and people with disabilities get a chance to take in the fall color.
Info: The Phylis Hakala MBT Fall Tour leaves Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Leadville Senior Citizen Center. Reserve a spot by calling 719-486-4288. Find out more at mineralbelttrail.com
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Long after the high-country aspen have dropped their leaves, the cottonwoods will just be peaking near Fruita. To get a good look without grinding yourself into the red dirt, try the Rustler’s Loop, a 5-mile section of Kokopelli’s Trail system between Interstate 70 and the Colorado River in Horsethief Canyon. Red rocks. Blue sky. Yellow cottonwood. Pale gold grasses. “Don’t forget the white clouds!” reminds Keith Benedetto, who works at Over the Edge Sports, Fruita’s “founding” bike shop.
What you’ll see: This novice trail gives you the chance to peek into Horsethief Canyon to where scrub oak and willow run right up to the edge of the river. Keep your eyes open early in the ride so you don’t miss a red-stone house built into a canyon wall.
How to see it: Head west out of Fruita on I-70 to the Loma exit. Go left over the highway and turn right at the fork, then go left on a dirt road about one-quarter mile to the Kokopelli’s Trail parking lot. Rustler’s Loop is a short climb on a jeep road out of the lot.
Info: Over the Edge Sports, 970-858-7220 or otesports.com
SKATE
If seeing red is your goal, wait a few weeks and then plan a trip that includes the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path, which winds 16.2 miles along the Colorado River and promises as much ruby-red scrub oak as your eyes can handle, with a dash of aspen for good measure.
What you’ll see: The high color doesn’t stop with the foliage. Keep your eyes on the river, which flows icy blue or green this time of year through the pale granite canyon. Here and there you’ll see some red rocks, and maybe some orangy dirt made that way by high iron content. And most days, you’ll also see the California Zephyr burst from the nearby train tunnels on its way to and from Denver. “It makes for a great picture, with that bright red engine,” says Vicki Neer, who owns Canyon Bikes in the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs.
How to see it: If the idea of a 32-mile out and back trip on skates, or even a bike, is daunting, you can hitch a ride with Neer. Every day she runs a shuttle from her shop in Glenwood to eastern points on the trail, so travelers can make the trip back to town going downhill.
There are rest areas every 2 or 3 miles that include restrooms, drinking water and spots to picnic, and side trails if you have the energy to hike.
Info: Canyonbikes.com or 970-945-8904
HORSEBACK RIDE
It’s the high country, but the color show is only just getting going in Crested Butte. A fun way to wind your way around the high country to see massive stands of aspen, little pockets of willow, orangy oak and mountain mahogany and serviceberry in deep purply red and maybe some golden mountain ash is on horseback. “You’re not hiking so you can devote your full attention to the scenery, rather than looking at the ground,” says Dan Weiss, a wrangler at Fantasy Ranch at Mount Crested Butte.
What you’ll see: Depends on the ride, but the area around Mount Crested Butte is filled with extraordinary geological formations, stunning mountain views. There’s also a chance of running up to Gothic, a mining boomtown that went bust but then found new life as a high-altitude biological field station.
How to see it: Crested Butte’s Harvest Golds Festival runs Thursday through Sept. 25 and includes color hikes, horseback rides on Snodgrass Mountain, a tour of Gothic and a bonfire Saturday night. Info: 800-814-8893 or www.septembersplendor.com
