to encounter a moose than another person.
New England offers more opportunities to encounter a moose than to meet another individual. It seems more straightforward to venture off the beaten path and find peace here. In contrast, Colorado’s remote trails often demand four-wheel drive vehicles to tackle logging roads, which can be a challenge. However, in New England, you can access most of the prime trails with a regular vehicle, making them more accessible. Additionally, we have the chance to witness foliage in several states during a single season since the hues begin in northern Maine and progressively move south. New England in autumn is perfect for a road trip.
New England’s Fall is a complete sensation
Autumn isn’t solely about the foliage (though, it’s significant, indeed). It’s about the overall atmosphere, and New England captures it superbly. Apologies, Colorado, but the fall season here offers more coziness. We boast charming, historic towns that will charm you with homemade scarecrows, roadside markets, and pumpkins embellishing the porches of nearly every Victorian or Colonial residence. Numerous old churches and covered bridges are waiting to be discovered, and delightful general stores are treasures to find; they offer fresh cider, doughnuts, and other local delicacies such as our classic maple syrup, naturally.
Reasons Why Colorado is Ideal for Experiencing Fall Colors
Upon relocating to Colorado over a decade ago, it’s accurate to say, writer Sarah Kuta developed a slight obsession with leaf-watching. Between mid-September and mid-October, she dedicates every weekend exploring the Colorado Rockies to bask in views of the state’s golden-yellow aspens.
Every summer’s end, I eagerly anticipate that initial brisk morning signaling autumn’s arrival in Colorado. To me, it also indicates the time to indulge in one of my cherished pastimes: leaf-peeping. I embark on scenic drives, go hiking, ride mountain bikes, enjoy picnics, and ride gondolas at ski resorts, all to lose myself in Colorado’s vibrant fall leaves.
Colorado is renowned for its quaking aspen trees – there’s even a well-known mountain settlement and ski destination bearing these towering, white-barked wonders’ name. Aspens (Populus tremuloides) are among the few species of deciduous trees hardy enough to endure in the Colorado Rockies. Existing at elevations from 5,600 to 11,000 feet above sea level, they span 5 million acres – roughly 20 percent – of the state’s woodlands, per the Colorado State Forest Service.
Perhaps you assume aspens adopt a uniform, golden-yellow tone. But scrutinize (and observe numerous trees in distinct locations and periods throughout autumn), and you’ll find their leaves reflect a broader color range – from bright yellowish-green to lively orange to vivid red. The various hues result from a blend of climatic conditions and the trees’ hereditary traits.
Typically, aspens are scattered among evergreens. The contrast between their dark green needles, yellow leaves, and the brilliant blue sky (due to Colorado’s frequent sunshine) results in a stunning color palette. When a gentle breeze flows, it prompts the aspen leaves to “dance” (or “quake,” which gives them their name). I can spend hours gazing at the shimmering leaves as they flutter in the sunlight – indeed, nothing else is quite so enchanting. Just contemplating it makes me feel more relaxed.
Aspens Significantly Contribute to the Ecosystem
Beyond their beauty, aspens are scientifically captivating – another reason why I, as a self-proclaimed enthusiast, adore them. Due to brief summers in the mountains, aspen seeds frequently lack enough time to sprout. Instead, the trees produce shoots from their roots, which eventually develop into new mature trees. This distinct reproduction strategy results in all the aspen trees within a certain area being duplicates – identical siblings sharing a connected root network. (In neighboring Utah, a cloned aspen stand called “Pando” represents one of the largest living entities on Earth, containing roughly 40,000 trees over 106 acres.)
Thriving under sunlight, aspens flourish where other trees might perish – even in regions affected by wildfires. As enough aspens thrive, they deliver much-needed broken shade, fostering growth for other plants. Moose and elk favor feeding on aspen leaves and bark, and their trunks serve as nesting sites for woodpeckers and different birds. On a camping outing a few years back, I observed a moose efficiently strip leaves from branches one after another within an aspen grove.
Peak Times for Viewing Colorado’s Aspens
From roughly mid-September to mid-October, Colorado’s aspens present a progressive display, though the specific timing each year relies on the climate. Trees at the uppermost altitudes begin their color transformations first, followed by those at gradually descending elevations.
During this period, visiting nearly any Colorado mountain town – Aspen, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Silverthorne, Leadville, Winter Park, among others – should reveal at least some aspen groves retaining their golden hue. Planning a journey along one of Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways (many now conveniently equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles) is also recommended.