Fall in Colorado

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
L.M. Montgomery

As a Colorado native, I have had the pleasure of enjoying numerous Colorado autumns. It is safe to say, it is my favorite season with the vibrant colors and refreshing cool temperatures that invite the sipping of hot tea while clothed in a favorite cozy sweater. I believe Colorado boasts some of the most dynamic scenery as a backdrop to Fall. Golden aspens layered among the green conifers are highlighted by indigo mountains and an electric blue sky. It makes for breathtaking landscapes.

I thought I might address some favorite fall activities while highlighting those unique to Colorado. So sit back and grab your favorite tea or a pumpkin spice latte, and scroll through suggestions to add to your own fall activity guide.

Some Favorite Fall Activities

Go apple picking (Yelp and Google can help you find the best apple orchards near you).
Get lost in a corn maze (this is an annual favorite with my grandkids).
Plant bulbs in your garden for next season.
Go for a hike (by far one of my favorite activities no matter the time of year. Fall hiking provides the most scenic views in my opinion).
Take a leaf-peeping road trip (see below for some of my favorite Colorado fall drives).
Visit a local pumpkin patch (Google and Yelp will be able to assist with this too).
Attend a fall festival.
Visit a haunted house.
And of course, cheer on your favorite football team!

Hiking

To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.
Marie Davis

Hiking is one of the most therapeutic activities we can participate in. With physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, it ranks as one of the best ways to get exercise. Add some amazing scenery, a favorite companion, and you have a win-win. Some of the known benefits include:

Improved heart health
Improved balance
Stronger muscle and bones
Boosted mood and improved mental health by reducing stress, calming anxiety, and leading to a lower risk of depression

Some of my favorite local hikes include Pinewood Reservoir, a six-mile easy loop located right here in Loveland, Colorado. The drive to get there is beautiful as well.

Another local favorite is Devil’s Backbone. There are trails for mountain biking, hiking, and even horseback riding. The highlight of this trail is the keyhole located in the western part of the loop. It overlooks Storm Peak, Bald Mountain, Mount Meeker. Longs Peak, and Twin Sisters. If you plan to spend a Saturday or Sunday hiking this popular treasure be sure to arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly. Weekdays are less busy, so if you can sneak away during the week I highly recommend.

Of course Rocky Mountain National Park contains an array of diverse and incredibly picturesque hikes that appeal to hikers of all levels. Chasm Lake, Estes Cone, Lily Lake, and Gem Lake are included among my favorites. If you’re feeling adventurous to take on a 14er, try your luck on Longs Peak. Check out this handy guide that lists Rocky Mountain National Park trails by difficulty.

A wonderful app (easily accessible on your phone) that is available for you to find local hikes is called All Trails. I even use this app if I travel out of town so I can keep the hiking momentum going. Of course there is a paid version, but the free version suits me just fine. They even have a referral program for inviting your friends to become part of the All Trails community. For every successful referral they will plant a tree for each of you.

Be sure to come prepared for your hike! It is critical that you have water, comfortable shoes, and the proper clothing. Dressing in layers is best, at least in Colorado as it is known for its rapidly changing climate. It’s said, “If you don’t like the weather in Colorado, wait five minutes!” See this helpful article on how to be properly prepared.

Road Trip

Adventure is worthwhile in itself.
Amelia Earhart

What better way to spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday than to go on a beautiful leaf-peeping drive? Colorado is host to some of the most spectacular scenic drives in the nation. Load up the family, bring along a thermos of hot chocolate, stop for a favorite latte, then hit the road. Make sure you’ve got your camera! Some notable drives in Colorado include the following:

The seasonal Trail Ridge Road winds through Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, and Grand Lake and is a favored spot for photographers and leaf peepers alike.
Gunnison, Colorado, home to Kebler Pass, possesses one of the largest aspen groves in North American. Aspens are my favorite. Just ask my kids. With their shimmering leaves (golden in the fall) contrasted against their white bark, they are a landmark in the Rocky Mountains. Kebler Pass tops the list of photographers’ best-loved sites. The road is unpaved and closed in the winter.
For a weekend getaway, why not escape to the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado? They are home to the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile loop featuring an array of fall colors as well as a 70-mile stretch know as the Million Dollar Highway. Or how about boarding the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad? The rides are concurrent with optimal fall foliage. For an even more thrilling adventure, enjoy a zip line through the brilliant aspens with Soaring Tree Top Adventures.
Colorado’s Western Slope houses the beautiful Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain as well as its own wine country featuring wines made in Grand Junction and Palisade. Enjoy sipping on the reds, whites and rosés that mirror the fall colors. Grand Mesa scenic and historic byway provides views of the vibrant scrub oaks contrasted against the gleaming aspens.
Buffalo Pass is a dirt road just west of Steamboat Springs. Glistening aspen groves line the 8-mile roadway toward the Continental Divide and Summit Lake. Zirkel Wilderness Area’s Three Island Lake Trail is a local favorite for hiking while taking in the views of the coniferous forests, high meadows, and glacial lakes. The 6.1 roundtrip trail is moderate in difficulty. For a shorter stint, give the Buffalo Pass Trail a try. It’s a 2.8 out-and-back trail – an easy trail that takes just over an hour to complete.

Of course I only offer a glimpse at what beauty Colorado has to offer, not only in the fall but all year long. There are plenty of resources on line and in bookstores that can guide your search for fall foliage viewing.

Pumpkin Patch

Advice from a pumpkin: be well-rounded, get plenty of sunshine, give thanks for life’s bounty, have thick skin, keep growing, be outstanding in your field, think big.
Unknown

Who doesn’t love a visit to a pumpkin patch in the fall? It is a favorite annual activity with my grandkids. Corn mazes, haunted houses (or not), hayrides, apple cider, petting zoos, and of course pumpkins! It’s fun to watch my grands scour the patch for the perfect pumpkin. We have a couple local favorites – Bartels Pumpkin Patch in Ft. Collins and Mile High Farms in Bennett. Bartels is a smaller patch best suited to younger kids while Mile High is located on 11 acres and features all of the aforementioned activities and more. The newest addition to our family, Raelynn, our granddaughter, got to enjoy her first pumpkin patch this year. The other photos are from years past with my grandsons.

Applescotch Pie

Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.
Jane Austen

Finally, I leave you with a delicious recipe to add to your fall festivities and especially the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. What better way to make use of the gains from your apple-picking haul? With its buttery flavor notes, this tasty treat is sure to become a family favorite.

5 cups thinly sliced pared tart apples (about 4 medium)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. butter
Pastry for 9-inch, two-crust pie

Mix apples, brown sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook over medium heat just until apples are tender (about 5 min.) Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Stir into apple mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until syrup thickens (about 2 min.). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and butter.

Heat oven to 425°. Prepare pastry. Turn apple mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Cover with top crust that has slits cut in it. Seal and flute. Cover edge with a 2- 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Enjoy!