12 leaf-peeping hikes to make the most of fall colors while you can

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Colorado provides endless beautiful areas for driving for those who don't want to hike to get their fall colors. Here, a road swerves through the Mount Evans Wilderness decorated with popping leaves. Photo: Haley Lena
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — It is officially fall, and in Colorado, that’s when the state truly shows off its full array of mountain beauty. Hikers, drivers and mountain bikers can enjoy eye-popping fall foliage without trekking too far from the metro area, but others travel deep into the Centennial State for those fleeting red and golden leaves.

Many meteorologists feared recent cold and rainy weather would knock off most of the colors, but scores of them survived and are just waiting to be ogled if you know where to go. That’s why we at Colorado Community Media put together a list of some of the most rewarding hiking experiences for autumn sentimentalists.

As weekend adventurers hit the mountains after the work week, traffic is sure to pile up. So if you can, try one of these stunning hikes during the week, or at least get up early to beat the morning weekend crowd.

Here are 12 hikes to show off the state’s best autumn colors. Some may require a bit of a road trip, but most are easy day hikes not far from the metro area. Sometimes, you just have to get out there.

AllTrails.com provides all trail stats listed below. Remember that terms like “easy,” “moderate” and “hard” are subjective and depend on your judgment, experience, stamina and more.

EASY
Raccoon Trail
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, near Rollinsville
Type: Loop
Length: 2.6 miles
Elevation: 462 feet
Time to complete: 1:14
Drive from Denver: 35 miles

Old Dillon Reservoir Trail
Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area, near Silverthorne
Type: Loop
Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation: 213 feet
Time to complete: 0:40
Drive from Denver: 72 miles

Kebler Pass/Irwin Lake
Gunnison National Forest, near Somerset
Type: Loop 
Length: 2.2 miles 
Elevation: 98 feet 
Time to complete: 0:44
Drive from Denver: 196 miles

Lily Pad Lake Trail
Eagles Nest Wilderness, near Frisco
Type: Out-and-back 
Length: 3.3 miles 
Elevation: 403 feet 
Time to complete: 1:21 
Drive from Denver: 71 miles 

MODERATE 

Silver Dollar Lake and Murray Lake Trail
Arapahoe National Forest, near Guanella Pass 
Type: Out-and-back
Length: 4.2 miles 
Elevation: 1,085 feet 
Time to complete: 2:00 
Drive from Denver: 55 miles 

Mason Creek Trail
Staunton State Park, near Conifer
Type: Out-and-back
Length: 8.4 miles 
Elevation: 1,574 feet 
Time to complete: 4:00 
Drive from Denver: 39 miles 

Chief Mountain Trail
Arapahoe National Forest, near Idaho Springs 
Type: Out-and-back 
Length: 2.8 miles 
Elevation: 948 feet
Time to complete: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Drive from Denver: 37 miles

Grizzly Gulch Trail 
Arapahoe National Forest, near Silver Plume
Type: Out-and-back 
Length: 5.2 miles 
Elevation: 1,131 feet 
Time to complete: 2 hours, 45 minutes 
Drive from Denver: 50 miles

Flash of Gold Trail 
Medicine Bow-Routt National Park, near Steamboat Springs
Type: Out-and-back 
Length: 10.5 miles 
Elevation: 1,250 feet 
Time to complete: 4:18 
Drive from Denver: 160 miles 
HARD
Kenosha Pass North 
Pike National Forest, near Jefferson
Type: Out-and-back
Length: 11.5 miles 
Elevation: 1,666 feet
Time to complete: 5:00
Drive from Denver: 66 miles 
Oh-Be-Joyful Trail
Gunnison National Forest, near Crested Butte 
Type: Out-and-back 
Length: 13 miles 
Elevation: 2,148 feet 
Time to complete: 6 hours 
Drive from Denver: 195 miles
Abyss Lake via Abyss Lake Trail #602
Mount Evans Wilderness, near Guanella Pass 
Type: Out-and-back
Length: 16.7 miles
Elevation: 3,379 feet 
Time to complete: 8:19 
Drive from Denver: 63 miles 
Honorable Mention
Trail Ridge Road (to drive) 
Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park 
Type: Peak-to-peak drive 
Length: 39 miles 
Elevation: 3,891 feet 
Time to complete: Depends on traffic and speed 
Drive from Denver: 73 miles
Leaves are just now starting to change along the Grizzly Gulch in Arapahoe National Forest. Photo: John Renfrow, Colorado Community Media
Leaves are just now starting to change along the Grizzly Gulch in Arapahoe National Forest. Photo: John Renfrow, Colorado Community Media
Let’s be real: sometimes you don’t want to move. Take your rig out for a pilgrimage to Rocky Mountain National Park for a beautiful and scenic drive from one mountain peak to the next. The drive to Estes Park is breathtaking and if you’re willing to pay to get into the park, sit back and relax while you cruise through beautiful changing colors and snow-capped mountains. 

But beware of traffic and make sure to check the weather, park information and more before making the trip. 

Regardless of where you chase the changing leaves this fall, be safe and be on top of the latest forecasts. Get out there before it’s gone!