Hello from 7,000 feet below you at sea level,

Asked this question last year, albeit a few weeks too late. Looking to get out ahead of it this year. I have work that brings me out to Colorado, mostly in the Denver/Boulder area. I'd like to make a day trip or weekend out of leaf peeping.

I realize the aspens aren't on a rigid schedule, but any advice as to a window of time I should target to catch the change?

Thank you,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeGLI,

I cannot recall exactly when it starts here at 10,000+ elevation, and wouldn’t commit myself even if I did, but something to keep in mind is that it varies by elevation—a lot. I see that in the fall whenever I drive to Denver, or even to a neighboring county at 8000 or even 9000 foot average elevation. If you’re here in the fall and they haven’t started turning at one elevation, try going higher.

When is your trip/work? Mid to late September usually works. I-70 west of Denver can be a shit show this time of year, and definitely into ski season. If possible you may want to go mid week to help with missing the traffic. 285 to the SW out of the metro area has good possibilities heading down towards Fairplay and such.

Leaf peeping season is late Sept., early Oct. Like sigfreund said, if not turning then, go higher in elevation.

Also as coloradohunter mentioned, I-70 during that time is a nightmare.

For some places closer, maybe look into going from Idaho Springs up to St. Mary's Glacier, or drive the Georgetown Loop over to Breckenridge (I recommend this one, as there are many places to pull over for pictures or whatnot).

There is also good leaf peeping down south where I am. A much further drive from Denver, but the traffic (once past CO. Spgs.) will be significantly lighter. For down south, I recommend Hwy. 12, which goes from La Veta to Trinidad (or vice versa).

Whichever way you go, I wish you good luck!

I was in Gunnison County, CO last year at 8,9,10,000 feet on weekend of September 24th. You could see Aspens turning but I was a few days early to see the peak. As others have said it's a bit of a moving target and going +/- 2k feet in elevation makes a difference.

I have a bike riding trip to Crested Butte planned for last week of September again. Hoping to catch prime time for the Aspens.

I’m in that area hunting about every year. Were I placing a bet I’d put my money on 10-8 through 10-15. Rain and wind will hasten leaf drop often in a single day. Like clockwork we arrive to 90% golden leaves and in one week it’s about 10%

8200’ near Craig, CO. Oct 5th my final answer.

I didn't have to go to CO to see Quaking Aspens. I have them on my lot in Loudoun County. They get very tall and the slightest breeze causes
the leaves to oscillate. The wood is soft and makes a fast burning fire.

There was a sow black bear with four cubs out there last week but I don't have any game cameras up at the present time.

Just wondering how things are looking in Colorado?

I may be headed out there in the next few days, curious what you're seeing, particularly in the Steamboat area.

I travel along a limited route between Leadville and Summit County. As of a week ago aspens from 10,000+ feet to timberline were in a range of turning stages from the early lightening of the green to full yellow, very often within close distances of each other.

I think its a little too early. Here's a live cam from Steamboat. I don't see much yellow. I'm at 7,400 and our leaves are still green.

https://www.steamboat.com/the-mountain/live-cams

Our son was married over the weekend in the area around Pine and Bailey, CO. Bailey sits at about 7700’, southwest of the city on U.S. 285. There was some color, but it looked to me like full color was a week to 10 days out in that part of the state (not too far from Conifer, where 1967 Goat is located). Did see an area around Pine about 60-70% changed.

Just starting to change down here on the southern, eastern front range. A little yellow here and there up to about 8000 feet. Haven't been higher to check out there, but imagine it will be in full swing in about a week or so.

Here is a web page with multiple cams, still looks pretty green up there:

https://www.keno.org/colorado_...ams/cuchara_cams.htm

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Our son was married over the weekend in the area around Pine and Bailey, CO. Bailey sits at about 7700’, southwest of the city on U.S. 285. There was some color, but it looked to me like full color was a week to 10 days out in that part of the state (not too far from Conifer, where 1967 Goat is located). Did see an area around Pine about 60-70% changed.

OH! I wish I would've known you were in the area! If you went down Hwy 285 you pretty much drove by my house!

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Our son was married over the weekend in the area around Pine and Bailey, CO. Bailey sits at about 7700’, southwest of the city on U.S. 285. There was some color, but it looked to me like full color was a week to 10 days out in that part of the state (not too far from Conifer, where 1967 Goat is located). Did see an area around Pine about 60-70% changed.

OH! I wish I would've known you were in the area! If you went down Hwy 285 you pretty much drove by my house!

I would have loved to meet you across a table or on a sunny porch too, my friend, but as parents of the groom, we just had too much to do with rehearsal supper and the wedding itself. Pretty much headed home as quickly as we could get packed and straighten up the place on Sunday morning. We stayed at Two Bridges Lodge, and liked it so well that a return trip is a distinct possibility. Raincheck?

I drove from Craig, CO to Denver yesterday via US 40 and I-70. Steamboat wasn't at full color yet, just getting started, but the area around Granby and Winter Park was pretty colorful.

I drove from Angel Fire, NM to Gunnison, CO yesterday. It's still early for New Mexico but at the top of Cochetopa Pass 10,000' the Aspens looked great. I'll drive around Crested Butte in the next two days and post some more pics.