As summer comes to a close, Aspen's lush green leaves will soon become golden fall hues. With leaf peeping being a favorite autumn pastime of Aspen's visitors and locals alike, we decided to put together a list of our top 5 leaf-peeping spots around town:
1. Maroon Bells - These peaks are some of the most photographed mountains in North America! Colorful reflections of the Bells off of Maroon Lake are absolutely gorgeous when the surrounding aspen tree leaves change. For the best pictures, we recommend getting up to the Maroon Bells in time for sunrise. Parking and shuttle reservations are required and can be made online here.
2. Silver Queen Gondola - On weekends, take a ride to the top of Aspen Mountain to experience Aspen's fall foliage from a bird's-eye view. If you prefer to hike to the top, the challenging Ute Trail will lead you to stunning views of the Elk Mountain Range. The last day for gondola operations is September 28th.
3. Hunter Creek Valley - Tucked away, yet easily accessible from town, the Hunter Creek Area offers numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking, so you can leaf-peep while enjoying your favorite fall activity. Trails will lead you to pristine creeks, peaceful meadows and mesmerizing aspen groves.
4. Ashcroft/Castle Creek Valley - Get a great workout with even better scenery! Castle Creek provides the sound track for your bike ride among the Aspen Groves. Take a lunch break at Pine Creek Cookhouse, and finish the journey through a spectacular aspen grove back to Ashcroft.
5. Independence Pass - Independence Pass closes in the winter, so be sure to take advantage of sunny fall days in the area with a scenic drive or bike ride to the top. There are also several hiking trails and recreational areas to enjoy along the way.
Click here for more leaf-peeping spots around town, or visit our Fall in Love With Aspen Bucket List for additional fall activities.
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