Aspen trees.... fall colors.... where and when to view? (Santa Fe: live, car)

[Paul91]

Hi all,

My wife and I relocated to ABQ about a year ago, and LOVE the area!! We enjoy hiking and would like to know where we can go to view the fall colors (preferably aspen trees). I see that there is a trail called "Aspen Vista" outside of Santa Fe which sounds nice (although a bit of a drive to get there) ... but we're unclear on when to go for the best fall color viewing.

Any recommendations on when and where to see the fall colors would be greatly appreciated!

[rybert]

Do you have access to a 4x4?

[mortimer]

This thread should be closed because:

//www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...uthern-nm.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/santa...-santa-fe.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/santa...isit-fall.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...en-report.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...ing-spots.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/santa...olor-fall.html

... or ... we could keep this as an index now that I've
done all this search work on one of my favorite subjects.
(Maybe close the other ones.)

Originally Posted by Paul91

I see that there is a trail called "Aspen Vista" outside of
Santa Fe which sounds nice (although a bit of a drive to get there) ...

It's not much of a drive. It's about 3/4ths of the way up to the ski area from town.

You don't need a 4x4 since the road access will be blocked.
You don't need a 4x4 since you will already be in the color and should
get your arses out of the car and do some walking at that point.

You do need lots of extra water even if you think you don't need it.
You do need to get there early enough to avoid parking on the
road way down from the parking area.

You DO need lots of extra water even if you are dumb enough to think you don't need it.
( I wrote that twice on porpoise and just for the halibut. )

[rybert]

I was also thinking, if you take the canyon road up past Dixon Apple Orchard (4x4 required... with some ground clearance, no, a Subaru won't do the job :P ) the trail may render some great foliage viewage.

[yukon]

To monitor color reports:

New Mexico Fall Foliage - Maps, Colors and Photos - weather.com

[Paul91]

Thanks for all the info and links, folks! I will follow the other threads mentioned and check the websites for updates on the color changes.

Sorry for posting a new thread for a topic that was already being discussed.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Paul91

Sorry for posting a new thread for a topic that was already being discussed

Live and learn.

If you want a quick and dirty way to see some great color, just cross
the river and go up the tram. No muss - no fuss.

363 days ago, I took these pictures:
2008 Sandia Crest Aspen views
It really doesn't get any better than this.

Note that the microbrewery product at the top doesn't hurt either.

[_yb]

I'm going to do a three day- two night hike in the Lincoln National Forest in the middle of Oct. The color should be fantastic at that time.

Another one of my favorite places for the aspen gold is up at Valle Vidal in northern NM.

[Paul91]

Mortimer.... thanks for the link to your 2008 Sandia Crest Aspen Views photos. Man... your photos of the Aspens from Del Agua Overlook are impressive! I will have to take the wife and dog up there soon.

[BloomingArtist]

//www.city-data.com/forum/membe...ew-mexico.html

Some pics from today