Fall is once again upon us, bringing crisp mornings, mountain top dustings, and everyone's favorite views of the mountains, the changing of the aspens! With eye-catching yellows to deep reds and oranges, the changing of leaves in the high country is one of the most sought after sights in Colorado. Thousands of people each fall flock to the mountains to take a peek at one of nature's most beautiful changes. From the jagged peaks of the San Juans to the endless aspens of Kebler Pass, Colorado mountain areas boast some of the best colors in the country, and Summit County is no exception! Here are some of the most colorful and accessible drives and hikes available in Summit!
Montezuma:
Located east of Keystone Resort, the quaint mountain town of Montezuma sets you at tree line among many of the mountains of the Continental Divide. The drive to Montezuma flows along the Snake River and through multiple large aspen groves. At the season's peak, one can feel enclosed as the yellow leaves hang over the road in a makeshift tunnel. For those with an appreciation for a good 4x4 road, Montezuma offers seemingly endless offshoots that spur into large drainages of the mountains, and house large groves of changing colors in every direction.
Ute Pass & the Gore Range:
Venture about 30 minutes north of Silverthorne to Ute Pass, which connects Summit to Grand County, and experience the vastness of the Summit County Rockies! Snake around as you climb on the road nearing the tree line of the Williams Fork Range. Once you reach the top, a large parking lot is your base camp for leaf peeping hikes in any direction. Before you head off though, take one second to gaze west upon the Gore Range, a rugged endless string of mountains sporting year round snow, and a skirt of thick pine trees and aspens. Arguably one of the best views in the county, during the fall colors, this view sets itself apart as the quintessential Colorado Mountain view!
Ptarmigan Trail
Looming above the Town of Silverthorne, the Ptarmigan trail is your best hiking access to the Williams Peak Range and the aspen views of the Dillon and Silverthorne. A north and south running trail, wind yourself through grove after grove of changing colors. Breaks in the trees give glimpses towards Buffalo Mountain and the many changing aspens scattered around town. On your way back, once you crest the hill out of the trees, a panoramic scene of Dillon Reservoir, Keystone Resort and the Ten Mile Range offer one of the most all encompassing views of Summit County. As the trees change more and more, this spot might just be the best to nearly every color phase the county has to offer.
Tiger Road:
Another destination for the off-roaders, Tiger Road is regarded as one of the most accessible mountain accesses of Summit County. Just north of Breckenridge, Tiger Road boasts an endless array of trails, whether for hiking or riding, that almost all pass through some sort of aspen grove. Many areas here enter you into dense pockets of trees. For anyone who has never laid down in a grove of changing aspens and looked to the sky, you are missing out. Tiger Road offers a plethora of camping areas along its trails, many set underneath the yellows and oranges of the aspens. Continue up through the trees and into the high country, and access with your off-road vehicle roads that connect Breckenridge to Montezuma. Ride along the tops of these mountains and see the colors from a different perspective than ever before!
While these are some of our top picks for viewing the changing leaves in the county, once you make it here in the thick of the season you really won’t know where to look first. Whether you are looking for a leisurely drive through the colors, or ready for a hike deep into the thickest aspens, Summit County can be your first and final destinations for the bright colors of mountain fall!
The Explore Fall Fall Foliage Map for 2024 is predicting the following for Summit County, Colorado colors this fall:
Low Color: September 12th - September 16th
Moderate Color: September 17th - 25th
Peak Color: September 26th - October 4th
Past Peak Color: October 5th and After