{"id":602,"date":"2008-10-03T05:31:52","date_gmt":"2008-10-03T11:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=602"},"modified":"2008-10-03T05:31:52","modified_gmt":"2008-10-03T11:31:52","slug":"best-drives-to-view-the-fall-foliage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/local-news\/best-drives-to-view-the-fall-foliage\/","title":{"rendered":"Best drives to view the fall foliage"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ThorntonWeather.com's
ThorntonWeather.com's picks for the best drives to view the fall foliage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This time of year many folks head to the hills west of Denver in search of gold \u2013 fall foliage gold.\u00a0 This year thanks to the warm and dry weather, the season is running longer and a bit later than normal so this coming weekend looks to be a great one to get out and go for a drive in the mountains.\u00a0 Where to go?\u00a0 Below are five of ThorntonWeather.com\u2019s favorite ones near Denver.\u00a0 After that, we will tell you where you can find a great website that provides regular updates on viewing conditions.<\/p>\n

I-70 Corridor <\/strong>\u2013 If you\u2019re looking for the easiest route, then this one is for you.\u00a0 Simply head west on I-70 about 110 miles to Avon.\u00a0 Between Vail and Avon, both sides of I-70 are lined beautifully with aspen.<\/p>\n

Rocky Mountain National Park <\/strong>\u2013 One of the most popular summer destinations in the state is of course also a prime spot to view aspen in all their glory.\u00a0 Once in the park on Trail Ridge Road, head toward Bear Lake.\u00a0 Glacier Gorge Junction provides a beautiful spot and you of course also get to enjoy all the splendor that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peak to Peak Highway <\/strong>\u2013 This little road trip can be a dual purpose trip \u2013 gambling and fall foliage viewing!\u00a0 Take U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon and then 119 through Blackhawk and Central Center.\u00a0 You can of course stop there if your wallet is fat enough and donate some money to the casinos.\u00a0 From there continue on 119 toward Nederland.\u00a0 Take highway 72 toward Ward and Allenspark.\u00a0 There you will find more golden aspen than you can imagine, all with the Continental Divide nearby.<\/p>\n

Poudre Valley Canyon <\/strong>– \u00a0Heading north on I-25 take Colorado 14 west and into Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest.\u00a0 As you continue west you will come very near timberline as you come to Cameron Pass.\u00a0 Amazing views abound!<\/p>\n

Guanella Pass <\/strong>\u2013 This is a nice, relatively short drive from Denver.\u00a0 From C470 take 85 through Bailey and Conifer, a nice drive unto itself.\u00a0 When you come to the town of Grant, take the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway north to Georgetown.\u00a0 The air is pretty thin along the way as you climb in excess of 11,500 views through the Pike and Arapahoe National Forests.\u00a0 Fair warning \u2013 about 10 miles of the road is gravel but it is well maintained.<\/p>\n

So do you think you will try one of these drives?\u00a0 Or maybe one of the other dozens (hundreds?) that are possible?\u00a0 Before you go, be sure to check out the U.S. Forest Service\u2019s Fall Colors website!\u00a0 It provides weekly updates on viewing conditions throughout the Rocky Mountain region and is a great resource to plan your trip.\u00a0 The site is usually updated once a week on Fridays.\u00a0 Click here to view the Rocky Mountain Region 2008 Fall Color Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information:<\/p>\n