With Labor Day officially closing out summer, though temps are still in the 90's, I'm anxiously anticipating fall; the season of cooler temps, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice...well everything! What better way to get us prepared than a look at peak leaf-peeping in the mountains and along the front range.
As the Denver Post commented, "above average moisture last winter and spring" created perfect conditions for aspens this year.œWe had a delayed spring, two to three weeks late because of how cool and wet things were, said Dr. Dan West,an entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service who teaches at Colorado State University. œWhat does that mean for aspen and fall color? They had ample precipitation, which means great growing conditions. Healthy stands (groupings of trees) show a more vibrant color than non-healthy stands, and they've had perfect growing conditions all summer.
According to the experts, subtle changes at higher altitudes will begin to appear the week of September 14th. Patchy changes along the front range will continue into the week of September 21st. By the week of September 28th, higher elevations will be at their peak and if you haven't made it out by the week of October 5th, now is the time to plan your escape. By mid-October you may just be too late, and by the end of October, well, there's always next year!
West goes on to comment, œthere's plenty of leaves on the aspens. Now it's up to Mother Nature to give us cool nights followed up with sunny days. That should give us those wonderful reds and purples and oranges that we all love...If you've got a stand of aspen above and oaks below and green ponderosa pines for miles, it gets no better.
So, why not start planning a trip now to camp, glamp, or treat yourself to a visit to the Surf Hotel in BV,the Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida,the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park,take the amazing drive to Grand Lake through Winter Park or head to Steamboat over Rabbit Ears Pass to take in all of the changing colors and, don't forget to bring your mountain bikes!
Happy leaf-peeping!
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