The last few weeks of September and the first two in October are the best times
for autumn-foliage touring, notwithstanding unpredictable snowstorms that can
strip the golden leaves in a matter of hours.
o Loveland Pass from the east side of Eisenhower Tunnel on Route 6
traveling west over the Continental Divide toward Keystone offers
360-degree vistas. This is easily driven but can be biked by the
hardy.
o I-70 West corridor through Ten-Mile Canyon, from Silverthorne-
Dillon to Copper Mountain, offers hiking-trail access and scenic
overlooks. A bike path runs parallel to the road from Frisco to
Copper Mountain.
o Boreas Pass on the south edge of Breckenridge winds east to Como,
crossing the Continental Divide and offering views of Boreas Mountain
and Volz Mountain. This old railroad grade is gravel and calls for
a four-wheel drive vehicle or a mountain bike. Beware of the "Town
of Blue River", south of Breckenridge, Speed Traps, Etc...
Here are routes around Colorado, compiled with the help of Chambers of
Commerce and the state office of tourism, that will produce gold for
leaf watchers:
Red Sandstone Road: north out of Vail.
Dallas Divide: 8,970 ft., on Colorado 62 between Ridgway and Placerville.
Peak-to-Peak Highway: Colorado 7 south from Estes Park.
Old Fall River Road: US 36 to the Fall River Entrance of Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park
Bear Lake Road: US 36 to the Beaver Meadows entrance of Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park.
Gore Pass: Colorado 134 from Toponas to US 40 outside Kremmling.
US 550: "Million-Dollar Highway," Durango to Ouray.
US 160: Pagosa Springs to Cortez.
Lizard Head Pass: Colorado 145, between Dolores to Telluride. 10,222ft.
Steamboat Springs: Elk River area to north and Buffalo Pass to east.
Independence Pass: Colorado 82, Twin Lakes to Aspen.
Maroon Bells area above Aspen.
Cottonwood Pass: Colorado 306, Buena Vista to Taylor Park. 12,126ft. partially
paved USFS road 209 west from Buena Vista to Gunnison.
Grand Mesa, Colorado 65 east of Grand Junction and north of Delta.
Guanella Pass between Georgetown and Grant. 11,669ft. on Colorado 226.
McClure Pass: 8,755 ft. on Colorado 133 between Carbondale and Paonia.
Monarch Pass, over US 50 between Salida and Gunnison.
Rabbit Ears Pass: 9,426 ft. on U.S. 40 between Kremmling and Steamboat Springs
Spring Creek Pass: 10,901 ft. on Colorado 149 between Lake City and Creede.
Tennessee Pass, US 24, Leadville to Vail.
Boreas Pass between Como and Breckenridge.
Colorado 135 between Crested Butte and Gunnison.
Wolf Creek Pass: 10,850 ft. on U.S. 160 between Pagosa Springs and South Fork.
There are many other viewing sites throughout Colorado, if you wish to include
your favorites leave us some E-Mail...thanks....
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AUTUMN IN GRAND COUNTY:
ASPEN, ELK AND UNCROWDED SCENIC BEAUTY
Off-season lodging rates, uncrowded roads and opportunities
to view shimmering stands of golden aspen make fall one of the
best times to visit Grand County, Colorado.
If you're planning an autumn visit to celebrate the changing
season, here are some recommendations on where to view aspen from
the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board:
o The Colorado River Headwaters Scenic & Historic Byway
starts at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Rocky
Mountain National Park, near the river's headwaters
high in the Rockies. There's seasonal beauty all along
the 70-mile route, which follows U.S. Highway 34
through Grand Lake to Granby, then turns west along
U.S. Highway 40 to Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling,
where it joins the "Trough Road" (County Road 1) as it
follows the course of the Colorado River, ending at
State Bridge and State Highway 131.
o Gore Pass. From Kremmling, take U.S. Highway 40 north
for six miles, then turn west onto Colo. Highway 134.
This route offers sweeping views of golden aspen
scattered throughout the vast Gore Range.
o U.S. Highway 40 north. Instead of turning onto Colo.
Highway 134, continue north along U.S. Highway 40,
which is flanked by the Routt and Arapaho national
forests. This route offers great views of Wolford
Mountain, Gore Peak and Whiteley Peak, all wrapped in
seasonal colors.
o Willow Creek Pass. From Granby, take Colo. Highway 125
north as it follows the course of Willow Creek through
the Arapaho National Forest. To the east are the high
peaks of Never Summer Wilderness and Rocky Mountain
National Park.
o Adams Falls. A favorite summer hike, the 1/4 mile walk
to Adams Falls is also an ideal autumn activity
suitable for the entire family. The route starts at
the end of the Tunnel Road, east of the town of Grand
Lake, and ends at a spectacular waterfall. If you
continue for another 3/4 mile, you'll reach a large
meadow surrounded by beautiful aspen.
o Rocky Mountain National Park. The west side of the
park offers several hikes that provide close-up views
of aspen groves and meadows. September is the best
time to look for elk (they usually frequent high
country meadows in the early evening) and listen for
their distinctive bugle.
Never Summer Ranch. Take U.S. Highway 34 north
from the park's Kawuneeche Visitor Center for
approximately seven miles to the turnoff and
parking lot. Allow about one hour for the round-
trip walk to the ranch. Large groves of aspen are
the main attraction, along with the opportunity to
experience meadow ecology, view a beaver dam and
watch for elk (best viewing is between 6-8 p.m.).
Colorado River Trail. Continue along U.S. Highway
34 for another two miles past the Never Summer
Ranch turnoff to the trailhead. This seven-mile
hike follows the Kawuneeche Valley and provides
exceptional views of the surrounding cliffs and
yellow aspen.
Grand County offers fall travelers a variety of affordable
accommodations, from quaint cabins and historic lodges to modern
hotels and bed & breakfast inns. For a free vacation guide and
complete accommodations listing, call 1-800-729-5821.
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FALLING FOR MESA VERDE COUNTRY
Colorado's Southwestern Corner
Offers
Scenic Drives, Ancient Indian Mystery
CORTEZ -- Fall lingers a little longer in this quiet corner
of Colorado, where red rock desert landscapes meet the gold-and-
emerald tapestry of high country foliage.
A land of stark contrasts and ancient secrets, Mesa Verde
country can be one of the most rewarding choices for an autumn
vacation.
September brings sunny days and blissfully cool evenings,
uncrowded motels and campgrounds, and endless opportunities for
exploring the Anasazi Indian culture that remains cloaked in
mystery after a century of archaeological research.
Nestled on the edge of the desert with imposing Mesa Verde
as a backdrop, Cortez (population 8,000) is the area's largest
community. The town's proximity to several major attractions --
including Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National
Monument -- along with a variety of affordable accommodations,
makes it a good choice as a base for discovering the region. The
resort towns of Telluride and Durango are close by, as are
Shiprock and the vast Navajo Indian Reservation just across the
New Mexico border.
Here are some recommendations for combining scenic drives
with visits to some of Mesa Verde Country's top attractions:
U.S. Highway 160 from Cortez east to Durango forms part of
the San Juan Skyway, a national scenic byway marked by peaceful
valleys and striking mountain vistas.
Just east of Cortez is the best place to stop and view
Sleeping Ute Mountain, a series of small peaks stretched across
the southwestern horizon. You can easily visualize the image of
an outstretched sleeping Indian with his arms folded across his
chest, covered by a blanket of golden fall foliage.
According to local Ute Indians, the Sleeping Ute was once a
giant warrior who lay down to rest after a battle. Some Native
Americans believe he will rise again to defeat their enemies.
Continuing east from Cortez is the Mancos River Valley and
the small town of Mancos, a quiet ranching community with a
handful of charming Western shops that remain relatively
undiscovered by tourists. The snow-capped La Plata Mountains,
marked by stands of golden aspen, rise in the east.
Between Mancos and Cortez is Mesa Verde National Park and
its world-class Anasazi Indian ruins. Fall is perhaps the best
time to visit Mesa Verde; summer's crowds have dwindled and
you're far less likely to wait in line for ranger-guided tours of
the renown cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde's outstanding
archaeological remains provide a fascinating introduction to the
Anasazi culture that flourished here from about AD 1 -1300.
Another popular route for viewing foliage is Colorado
Highway 145, also part of the San Juan Skyway, which leads north
from Cortez to Telluride. The winding highway follows the
Dolores River past red rock bluffs, yielding to mountain valleys
filled with a striking mix of golden aspen and blue spruce.
Beyond the tiny community of Rico, the road climbs steadily
to 10,250-foot Lizard Head Pass, where open meadows, silvery
peaks and glittering aspen provide the quintessential Rocky
Mountain postcard scene. The historic mining town of Telluride
(now an international tourist resort), is only 15 miles further
north.
Telluride's splendid setting at the base of a towering box
canyon is arguably one of the most beautiful sights in Colorado.
A walking tour of downtown leads to several restored Victorian
buildings, including the New Sheridan Hotel, and a plethora of
upscale gift shops and galleries.
Another favorite fall drive follows McElmo Canyon Road
(County Road G) west of Cortez to the Utah border and Hovenweep
National Monument. This route is ablaze with yellow cottonwoods
and coppery oaks set against a red rock panorama. Small farms
and orchards, some of which date to the late 19th century, are
spread along lush canyon bottoms.
The ruins of Hovenweep, one of the most isolated Anasazi
settlements, straddle the Colorado-Utah border beyond McElmo
Canyon. Hovenweep is a Ute word that means deserted valley. Its
ruins are characterized by a series of square, round and D-shaped
towers which still puzzle archaeologists.
Take the self-guided trail near the monument headquarters to
view the prehistoric structures of Square Tower Group, or explore
the outlying sites of Hackberry, Holly and Cutthroat Castle,
accessible via short hiking trails.
U.S. Hwy. 666 south of Cortez leads through the Ute Mountain
Ute Indian Reservation to Shiprock, New Mexico, and the Navajo
Nation. The otherworldly specter of Shiprock, a great stone
monolith visible throughout the Four Corners, is one of the
region's most-photographed natural wonders. The Navajos call
Shiprock TseBitai (winged rock).
At the town of Shiprock, you may choose to head east to
Farmington, New Mexico, via U.S. Hwy. 555, or travel west across
the Arizona border to Teec Nos Pos, which boasts an excellent
Indian trading post. From Teec Nos Pos, U. S. Hwy. 160 leads to
the Four Corners Monument, a touristy spot that still manages to
entice significant numbers of visitors who want the experience of
standing in four states at once.
For more information about Mesa Verde Country, call 1-800-
253-1616 or write to PO Drawer HH, Cortez, CO 81321.
*-TravelBank.Com-*
GRAND VALLEY WINES
TAKE CENTER STAGE AT THE
THIRD ANNUAL COLORADO MOUNTAIN WINEFEST
Western Colorado's Grand Valley near Grand Junction will
celebrate its rapidly-growing wine industry on Sept. 22-25 during
its annual Colorado Mountain Winefest.
Events begin Thursday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. with the
Winemakers' Dinner at the Crystal Cafe and Bake Shop in downtown
Grand Junction. Participants will join Grand Valley winemakers
for an evening featuring distinctive cuisine and Colorado grown
wines. A limited number of tickets are available at $55.
The Grand Tasting will take place Friday, Sept. 23 from 7
p.m. to 9 p.m. at Western Colorado Center for the Arts in Grand
Junction. Nine Colorado wineries will offer samples of their
finest wines and live jazz will be provided by the Walt Smith
Group. The museum's renown Gould Indian Rug Collection, along
with other works of art on exhibit, will be open for viewing.
Tickets are $25.
The annual Festival in the Park in downtown Palisade will
take place Saturday, Sept. 24 with arts & crafts, food booths,
wine samples, a children's carnival and live entertainment.
Tickets are $8.50 in advance for adults ($10 at the gate) and $5
for ages 12-20. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Wine enthusiasts also are invited to attend two seminars on
Sept. 24 in the community center adjacent to Palisade Park:
o Cooking With Wine. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During this
hands-on seminar, Master Chef Maurice Thullier will
explain the secrets of cooking with wine. Participants
will help cook their own gourmet lunch. Cost is $35.
o Viticulture in Colorado. 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Colorado State University viticulturist Rick Hamman
will address high altitude wine growing and vineyard
development. Participants will enjoy lunch, served
with samples of locally-grown wines. Cost is $25.
The Grand Valley's five commercial wineries will be open for
free tours and tastings on Sunday, Sept. 25. Visitors will
experience the winemaking process during harvest time, while
winery owners will be available to discuss their approaches to
producing the perfect wine.
Discount packages for multiple Winefest events are
available. For more information, including a Winefest brochure,
call the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau, 1-800-962-
2547.
