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Fall in Love: The Best Leaf Peeping Hikes

As the days get shorter and the mercury drops, hillsides throughout the state begin to glow gold, crimson and burnt orange. The action in the mountains typically begins in mid-September and continues in the foothills and plains through November. Though classic, must-do drives like the Peak to Peak Highway, Independence Pass, Aspen Ridge and Boreas will give you a good foliage fix, there’s nothing like hiking to get up close and personal with autumn’s splendor. Experience a rainbow of colors on foot with these hikes.

Cathedral Lakes, Aspen

This spectacular (and, therefore, popular) 6.5-mile out-and-back hike ends up at a sparkling turquoise alpine lake that sits in a stunning cirque surrounded by toothy granite spires and ridges and the imposing Cathedral Peak (13,943 feet). Seeking a longer adventure? Continue to Electric Pass (13,500 feet), a breathtaking perch between Cathedral and Electric peaks.

Why Do It: The lake, which rests at 11,886 feet, is worth the trip, but this entire hike delivers. As you climb 2,000 feet through the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness and up Pine Creek Canyon, you’ll be greeted by blazing aspen groves, cascading waterfalls, open meadows, sweeping vistas and spruce forests buzzing with birds.

Get There: Follow Highway 82 west toward Aspen. At the roundabout just before town, go right on Castle Creek Road for 12 miles. Just past the ghost town of Ashcroft, turn right onto a gravel road. After about .5 miles, find the trailhead on your right. More Info: tinyurl.com/lpx8ju7

Eaglesmere Lakes, Silverthorne

This moderately strenuous 12-plus-mile loop that gains 1,845 feet as it meanders along the Eaglesmere, Surprise Lake and Gore Range Trails to visit Eaglesmere, Tipperary and Surprise Lakes. The option for a 7-mile out and back to Eaglesmere Lake makes it great for families. Alternatively, if you’d like to immerse yourself in the wild, extend this into a backpacking excursion.

Why Do It: You’ll visit overlooks with incredible views of Lower Cataract Lake, Cataract Falls, Eagles Nest Peak and the Williams Fork Range, which bursts with spectacular fall foliage. As you dive deeper into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, the character of the hike changes, giving the feeling that you are truly remote and on your own. Looking for wildlife? Keep an eye out for bears as you reach the moderate grades and grassy slopes near the Wilderness boundary.

Get There: On Hwy 9, drive 16 miles north from Silverthorne. Turn left onto Heeney Road (No. 30), go 5.3 miles and turn left onto CR 1725. Drive two miles to reach the Eaglesmere Lakes Trailhead.

More Info: dillonrangerdistrict.com/trails/Eaglesmere_Lakes.pdf

Loch Vale Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park

It may be very popular, but this moderate six-mile round-trip hike is worth it. Begining in a riparian ecosystem, it climbs along Glacier Creek, winds through pine forest and aspen groves, and finally squeezes through a small gorge to reach The Loch, a magnificent subalpine lake set in a rugged valley surrounded by jagged granite towers and peaks. Continue on to Glass Lake, Sky Pond and Andrews Tarn for a bigger day.

Why Do It: This is a visually impressive route complete with cascades, deep gorges, dramatic alpine terrain, arresting glacial valleys and, of course, plenty of opportunities for viewing the glory of autumn. At The Loch, you’ll find excellent fishing and some of the most dazzling scenery in the park: Taylor Peak and Taylor Glacier tower above while Thatchtop (12,668 feet) and the Sharkstooth (12,829 feet) frame the gorge.

Get There: Shortly after Rocky Mountain National Park’s Beaver Meadows entrance, turn left on Bear Lake Road and follow it 8.5 miles to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
More Info: nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/RMNP-BL-Summer-2015.pdf

Raccoon Trail, Golden Gate Canyon State Park

This moderately challenging 2.5-mile loop gains 500 feet as it travels through shining aspen groves and tranquil stands of blue spruce and Douglas fir. The short, but superb hike provides the perfect introduction to 12,000-acre Golden Gate Canyon State Park, one of the Front Range’s hidden jewels.

Why Do It: The entire park, which is only 20 miles from Denver, lives up to its name in fall when all those aspens create a glowing canopy that dominates the scene. The Racoon Trail, one of the most scenic in the park, passes by Panorama Point, a spot with fantastic views of the Continental Divide. Check out the interpretive display here which gives the names of each summit on the horizon. Though the trail is steep in sections, the scenery makes it worth all the effort while its modest length makes it ideal for families.

Get There: From Golden, take Hwy 93 north for one mile. Turn left onto Golden Gate Canyon Road and continue 13 miles to the Visitor Center. Continue 1.25 miles, and turn right onto Mountain Base Road and follow it to Reverend’s Ridge Campground. The trail starts behind the office. More Info: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Trails.aspx

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