Fall Color Colorado Springs 2018 (Air Force Academy, Aspen: military, moving, drivers license)

[otowi]

That fall color is moving down in elevation fast - did you notice all the yellow and gold appearing lower and lower down the mountains viewable from Colorado Springs this week? It's really starting to pop.

Also, Cheyenne Mountain State park posted a picture on their Facebook page today of oaks etc., starting to turn in their park, too.

Last week I got up into Teller County a few times to view Aspen - it was an interesting mix - some were still green, some were peak color, and some were already done. Over 9000 ft. was more likely to be done. Should still be some good viewing this weekend, though, and maybe scrub oak still even the week after that, followed by our city trees after that. Gotta love October!

If you've seen some great color in El Paso/Teller this year, where and when did you see it?

[Bullitt007]

I went up Eagle Peak (west side of the Air Force Academy) the other day and took this pic, looking west.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by Bullitt007

I went up Eagle Peak (west side of the Air Force Academy) the other day and took this pic, looking west.

Wow! That's fantastic! I don't think I can do that one - don't have the military pass.... I absolutely love that view and you did a great job taking the photo.

[otowi]

I took some pictures from Lovell Gulch Saturday - Otowi: Lovell Gulch 9-29-18

And from Dome Rock and Victor last Monday - Otowi: Dome Rock and Victor 9-24-18

[Bullitt007]

Originally Posted by otowi

Wow! That's fantastic! I don't think I can do that one - don't have the military pass.... I absolutely love that view and you did a great job taking the photo.

It's actually open to to the public during visiting hours (9am-5pm)...amazing trail that very few people know about. Numbers are similar to the Manitou Incline. Here's the Eagle Peak Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641134312805188/

Also, the trail up Stanley Canyon is also very beautiful.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by Bullitt007

It's actually open to to the public during visiting hours (9am-5pm)...amazing trail that very few people know about. Numbers are similar to the Manitou Incline. Here's the Eagle Peak Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641134312805188/

Also, the trail up Stanley Canyon is also very beautiful.

Oh that's interesting - I had been told you could only hike Stanley Canyon and Eagle Peak if you were with someone who had a military pass - got turned away at the gate last time we tried....

[Bullitt007]

If you go to the North Gate after 9am, they'll simply look at your drivers license. Proceed to the Visitor Center, park there.

From the Visitor Center, walk west across Academy Drive to a dirt road leading up toward the triangular granite top of Eagle Peak. Walk up the road for about a quarter of a mile, veering right at a power transformer, then left at the next fork.
A sign a few meters up the second fork marks the start of the trail. At first it's mellow enough, rolling through dense, lush pines. Soon it enters a shady area in the rampart that gave Rampart Range its name and starts climbing. The trail scrambles up a flume of boulders and follows a plunging brook.
Eventually the boulder stairway relents in a small, aspen-lined meadow. Hang a left on a clear trail, climb again up a dry, piney slope to the 9,400' rocky summit.

For Stanley Canyon, you can also park at the Visitor Center. Walk up that same dirt road across from the Visitor Center and turn left at the Electric Substation on a forest access road (heading south). Follow that for about a mile or so and you'll see the trailhead for Stanley Canyon on your right. Here's a pic I took while going up Stanley Canyon.

[otowi]

Thank you - and beautiful photo!

[Colorado Springs Gal]

Wanted to travel the trees and see the colors this weekend; missed it hoping to catch some scenery next weekend. My parents went to cripple creek, and took my son, they had a blast and got some beautiful pics.

[otowi]

Here's some pictures I took going up Old Stage Road yesterday - Aspen are probably going to be all done by next weekend. Otowi: Old Stage Road 10-6-18