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Old 07-10-2015, 04:55 PM
 
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We're thinking about planning a trip to Colorado this Fall to see the Aspen turn. We'd be based out of Evergreen and likely doing hikes within an hour's drive of the town.

Recognizing that it is impossible to know exactly when peak color will be, can anyone offer recommendations on the best week to shoot for? I'm wondering if it will be later than normal this year because of the increased precipitation.
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Old 07-10-2015, 05:09 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Usually last week in Sept for lower elevations.

There are some 'leaf tracker sites' and if you book on SWA you can adjust your times (for free, based on current fare (great to DEN))

You will need to adjust your routes based on weather. An early snow / heavy rain / wind can tweak the leaves.

You can take a nice route from Central City to Estes Park and into RMNP.
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Old 07-12-2015, 06:59 PM
 
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I would also suggest last weekend of September.
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Old 07-14-2015, 11:09 AM
 
Location: Bellingham, WA
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Just a quick note that you may want to expand your range for driving to trailheads to two hours- there are a lot more aspen west of the Front Range/Continental Divide. But if you want to stay closer, there are a number of good spots in the area. Among them, the Kenosha Pass area on 285, the Guanella Pass Road-especially outside Georgetown, and the Peak-to-Peak Highway from I-70 to Estes Park- Golden Gate State Park is a particularly good place to view the colors, from our experience.

Timing-wise, I agree with the posters above- the last week of September is a good bet, though some years it's +/- a week for optimum viewing....
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:44 PM
 
Location: Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartonizer View Post
Just a quick note that you may want to expand your range for driving to trailheads to two hours- there are a lot more aspen west of the Front Range/Continental Divide. But if you want to stay closer, there are a number of good spots in the area. Among them, the Kenosha Pass area on 285, the Guanella Pass Road-especially outside Georgetown, and the Peak-to-Peak Highway from I-70 to Estes Park- Golden Gate State Park is a particularly good place to view the colors, from our experience.

Timing-wise, I agree with the posters above- the last week of September is a good bet, though some years it's +/- a week for optimum viewing....


And it's amazing what a different that week, or even a few days, can make. We own a place off 285 outside Fairplay and went there last year the weekend of Sept 12-14th and the Aspens on our land were just turning, nowhere close to peak. The next weekend (19th-21st) we couldn't make it up there, so we went the following weekend (Sept 26-28th) and all our leaves had fallen. Obviously, the middle weekend was it. Forrtunately, there was a lot of color nearby. But on our 40 acres, we missed it by about 5-7 days probably.
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Old 07-14-2015, 05:25 PM
 
Location: Rural Wisconsin
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Definitely agree with the above as far as aspens peak being anywhere from about September 12 to about September 30. We got married on September 18 in the mid-80's and went to Keystone immediately afterward for our honeymoon, and the leaves were at the peak of their golden glory, but as others have said, there is absolutely no guarantee which weekend will be the best. However, if you Google Colorado Fall Foliage Report and start monitoring it about September 5th, sometimes that will give you a good idea (although in some years, they haven't kept up with the changing colors all that well). Another suggestion might be to call the Visitors Information Site or Chamber of Commerce of a town you will be traveling to or through. Most of the time, it has been by experience that the person answering the phone is very friendly and helpful.
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Old 07-14-2015, 08:14 PM
 
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Agree with other posters who said last week of September. This is a pretty good guide to follow: When’s the best time to see Colorado fall foliage? | FOX31 Denver

Tips to See Fall Foliage in Colorado

Good info on how weather affects the change: Why Leaves Change Color
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Old 07-15-2015, 05:39 AM
 
Location: Downtown Co Sps
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Gonna give the last week in Sept another vote. Last year we went from Co Springs to Taylor Park Reservoir to the Grand Mesa and back during the week of Sept 15-19. There were definitely leaves changing but still a lot of green ones. Only the ones in higher elevations were fully turned. It was still very pretty, but not optimal viewing.
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Old 07-18-2015, 04:36 PM
 
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I prefer the 2nd and 3rd weeks of Sept. and historically looking at my pictures I have better luck then. By the last week of Sept. it can be very hit and miss depending on the weather. It can be extremely spectacular or if a storm or wind blows in, it's all done just like that.

Also the other issue is that some areas turn before others, even just on the other side of the mountain around the corner so anytime you go in Sept and drive around there will likely be color everywhere.

Lastly the Front Range offers limited viewing in comparison to the other side of the continental divide.
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