Sure, driving through the woods or over a mountain pass is a fine way to enjoy Colorado’s fall foliage. But nothing compares to the surreal yellow-room sensation of charging through an aspen grove on a mountain bike, the chalk-under-the-fingernails experience of hanging off a golden- crested cliff or the languid liquid impressions of an auburn autumn float. Here’s our choice of top spots for a dazzling fall adventure:
Mountain bike
Government Trail East (Snowmass Village): There’s a reason this 10-mile ride linking Snowmass and Aspen qualifies among the Roaring Fork Valley’s most famous off-road rides. It rocks. Starting at the intersection of Brush Creek Road and Wood Road in Snowmass Village, the well-marked route combines superb singletrack and doubletrack with an occasional technical rock garden and creek crossing in the White River National Forest before zipping through tree- lined slopes at Buttermilk and turning to asphalt near the high school. As for the foliage factor, just remember they named the place Aspen for a reason.
Raft/kayak
Ruby/Horse Thief (Loma): The Colorado River is a fall gem because of its consistent flows. Long after the rest of the state has dried up, the dam- controlled Colorado still offers scenic floats. Beginning in Loma (just west of Grand Junction) the float through Ruby and Horse Thief (Class II) canyons is ideal for families looking for a relaxing and scenic trip. Sandstone formations abound among the wildlife habitat as the river crosses into Utah. There is good camping (and foliage) at Cottonwood and Black Rock.
Rock climbing
Shelf Road (Cañon City): Following the original stagecoach route to Cripple Creek’s gold fields on the back side of Pikes Peak, the Shelf Road winding through the valleys and canyons outside of Cañon City is in itself a veritable gold mine of classic and colorful sport climbing. While the tourists ride the train through Royal Gorge, sport climbers can take on some 500 established routes on the abrupt limestone cliffs in this popular climbing area.
