Aspen Colorado Fall Foliage Drives

See the Best Rocky Mountain Autumn Color on Scenic Routes from Aspen

Aug 29, 2007 Donna Dailey

During fall foliage season, Aspen's very name is synonymous with Colorado gold. Take a drive or a hike to enjoy the spectacular fall color surrounding this mountain town.

Mid-September heralds the start of fall foliage season, when Colorado's famous aspen trees turn a brilliant yellow-gold. There's no better place to see them than their namesake town, Aspen. The surrounding slopes of the Rocky Mountains are covered in bright autumn color, easily seen on a gentle hike or fall foliage drive.

Aspen may be an old silver mining town, but in the autumn it shimmers with Colorado gold. Groves of slender, white-barked aspen trees tumble down the slopes right into the town. Their tear-shaped leaves are luminescent in the bright sunshine. Tissue-thin, they flicker in the faintest breeze, undulating up and down the hillsides with a rustling sigh.

It's a joy to walk among them. And you don't have to go far. The John Denver Sanctuary is set in an aspen grove along the river, one of the prettiest spots in town for fall foliage.

Here are some of Aspen's best fall foliage drives and scenic routes:

The Maroon Bells

Location: The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. Maroon Lake is 10 miles south of Aspen at the end of Maroon Creek Road.

These 14,000-foot peaks, reflected in Maroon Lake, are especially beautiful when framed by fall color. They are said to be the most photographed mountains in the country. As such, this view is highly popular and vehicle access to Maroon Lake is restricted to protect the surrounding national forest, especially in summer and on September weekends.

You can hike, bike or use any form of non-motorized transport at any time of year. Otherwise, unless you are camping, vehicle access is by bus. In 2007, free buses depart from Ruby Park in Aspen three times an hour (on the hour, and at 20 and 40 minutes past).

An easy hiking trail circles the lakeshore. A longer trail continues on to Crater Lake at the foot of the mountains.

Ghost Towns

Location: 12 miles south of Aspen on Castle Creek Road

In its heyday of 1883, the silver mining town of Ashcroft was larger than Aspen. Two years later the promising boom town was bust, and only a handful of residents remained at the turn of the century. Today there are just 12 original buildings left, preserved by the Aspen Historical Society.

Standing amidst the surrounding fall foliage, the old false-fronted buildings are particularly evocative, especially the aptly named Hotel View. Independence ghost town, 13.5 miles east of Aspen near the top of Independence Pass, is another abandoned 1880s mining camp with old buildings to explore.

Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen

Distance: 44 miles

Highway 82 is the main road into Aspen from both directions. The most beautiful approach runs northwest from Twin Lakes, which lies along Highway 24 south of Leadville.

From here Highway 82 climbs dramatically up a series of steep switchbacks to the summit of Independence Pass. At 12,095 feet, it is the highest paved mountain pass in the country, crossing the Continental Divide.

The swathes of autumn color are tantalizing on the way up. At the summit you can follow a path to an overlook for the most breathtaking fall foliage views, which take in some 18 peaks topping 14,000 feet and stretch all the way to the Maroon Bells.

To read about Fall Foliage Drives from Denver click here.

The copyright of the article Aspen Colorado Fall Foliage Drives in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Donna Dailey. Permission to republish Aspen Colorado Fall Foliage Drives in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Aspen trees show fall colors in Aspen, Colorado	Aspen trees show fall colors in Aspen, Colorado	Aspen trees show fall colors in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen trees show fall colors in Aspen, Colorado	Fall colors in John Denver Sanctuary, Aspen