Where to see Colorado’s best fall color displays

Leaf peepers, it’s time.

Colorado’s aspens will soon put on their golden autumn show, kicking off my favorite time of year. You excited?

Historically, the peak fall colors season starts in mid-September and lasts through mid-October. But this year, Colorado State Forest Service says an unusually wet spring and two fungal leaf diseases could dull the fall colors.

Already, we’ve seen some Northern Colorado aspens and cottonwood trees suffering from diseases that cause spotting and dark splotches on their leaves.

Despite the dulled leaves among some aspen, there are many places to see the golden aspens this fall.

Here’s where to go in Northern Colorado and beyond.

Aspen drives close to Fort Collins

Poudre Canyon: The best aspen viewing along this stretch starts along Colorado Highway 14 about 45 miles up the Poudre Canyon through North Park. Look for aspens showing off red leaves near Gould. Lower in the canyon, you'll see cottonwoods turning golden and sumac turning red. Take Rist Canyon Road (Larimer County Road 52E) up to Stove Prairie Road (County Road 27), then to Colorado 14 to maximize the viewing. Or, ride the route on your bike.

Rocky Mountain National Park: The 48 miles from Estes Park to Granby via high-elevation Trail Ridge Road is always stunning. Recently reopened Old Fall River Road is also a great option for aspen viewing. Stop to see St. Mary’s Glacier.

Peak to Peak Highway: This stretch reaches from Estes Park south to Central City/Blackhawk and offers nonstop viewing in the shadow of iconic Longs Peak. This drive is best done in the morning, as the majority of the aspen are to the west side of the road, meaning the sun will be shining on them. Toward evening, the mountains block the light. Have breakfast and shop in Estes Park.

Laramie River Valley: From Fort Collins, take Colorado Highway 14 west for 51 miles to Laramie River Road (Larimer County Road 103). Head north and view aspens dotting the mountainside on both sides of the road.

Classic Colorado aspen drives

Kebler Pass: West of Crested Butte on Gunnison County Road 12, this 30-mile gravel road is considered by many to be the best color drive in the state, in part because it boasts one of the largest aspen groves in the world. The winding road provides quite the show, especially if you have a sunroof.

Kenosha Pass: Beginning in Conifer southwest of Denver, take U.S. Highway 285 south over Kenosha Pass, ending in Fairplay. The 10,000-foot pass features vibrant reds and yellows on both sides of the road, and is one of the most popular fall foliage viewing areas. Best to avoid weekends here.

West Elk Loop: Take a 205-mile tour of the West Elk Mountains on a journey through Western Slope towns Paonia, Gunnison, Crested Butte and Carbondale. McClure Pass south of Carbondale along Colorado 133 and the Crystal River offers spectacular views of Ragged Peak and Chair Mountain and the colors of the aspens and cottonwood pop. Check out the iconic Crystal Mill.

Maroon Bells: One of the most photographed areas in Colorado, Aspen’s two 14,000-foot peaks are even more beautiful in fall. The Maroon Bells can be accessed from Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Add a trip over winding, in-the-clouds Independence Pass east of Aspen to Leadville to maximize your visit to one of Colorado’s most scenic areas.

Local aspen hikes

Lory State Park: Your closest option for seeing fall color is the popular Arthur's Rock Trail. The 1.7-mile trail has been lush and green this summer due to all the rain we've received. Yellow and red leaves dot the landscape along the trail.

West Branch Trail: The trailhead of this Rawah Wilderness hike is just past the Tunnel Campground on the Laramie River Road (Larimer County Road 103). It's an easy hike with the best aspen stands in the first two miles.

Fern/Cub Lake trails: These easy trails take off from Rocky Mountain National Park's Moraine Park Road and are family-friendly. You are instantly in the aspen. This is also a good area to take in the elk bugling during the fall rut. A fire has scarred some of this area.

Loch Vale/Glacier Gorge trails: From the main entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, turn left on Bear Lake Road and head to the end of the road. These hikes starting from the same area offer some of the park's best aspen stands.

Little Beaver Creek Trail: Located off Pingree Park Road (County Road 63E), just past Jacks Gulch Campground up the Poudre Canyon, this is an easy 5-mile hike through meadows fringed with aspen.

Xplore reporter Stephen Meyers covers the outdoors and recreation for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter @stemeyer or @XploreNoCo.