The jury has deliberated. The experts have agreed. The polls are in:
Fall in Colorado ranks somewhere between puppies in Halloween costumes and winning a lifetime supply of Ding Dongs on the Awesome Scale. I’ve already driven off the road and through a few dairy cows because I can’t stop staring at Princeton on my morning commute. Go play outside. Now.
Here’s Keith’s newest Chaffee County Times article about how legit the Collegiates are right now:
FALL IS FOR FUN!
Some of us think we are entering the “Best Time in the Collegiates.” Mild temperatures, clear bluebird skies, and less-crowded trails beckon. Aspen are beginning to turn at higher elevations and the brilliant autumn solstice sun reveals all their colors.
Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy some of the forested trails in our area. A hike, trail run, or mountain bike ride along one of the sun-dappled routes is a treat you shouldn’t miss.
Here are a few of our favorite trails (all are well-signed and on National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map 129 “Buena Vista/Collegiate Peaks” unless otherwise noted.):
Colorado Trail, Mount Princeton to South Cottonwood: (initial section is on NG/TI Map 130 “Salida/St. Elmo/Shavano”) Accessed from CR 322. Passenger cars should park in the parking lot adjacent to the Frontier Ranch gate. There is limited parking where the Colorado Trail joins CR 322. This is an out-and-back hike, run, or ride. The trail offers breathtaking views of Maxwell Park and the valley. There are some moderately challenging sections with climbs (mostly on the way out), tight turns around the apexes of drainages, and rocky terrain but the course is well worth overcoming them. I recommend turning around when it becomes clear you are about to descend into South Cottonwood.
Colorado Trail, North Cottonwood to Harvard Lakes and return: Accessed from CR 365. Drive past where the Colorado Trail joins CR 365 from the north and park at the Silver Creek Trailhead a couple of hundred yards further on up the road. The trail follows contour so is relatively gentle. It’s a bit over two miles to Harvard Lakes. Take a break; soak up some atmosphere, and return. This is wilderness area, so no mountain biking is permitted and you must keep your trail doggies on leash.
Kroenke Lake: If you have a higher clearance, AWD or 4WD vehicle, drive on out CR to the North Cottonwood Trailhead. The out-and-back hike to Kroenke Lake is a bit more challenging than the Harvard Lakes hike with some more climbing as it follows the North Cottonwood Creek drainage, and is about six miles round trip.
Hartenstein Lake: Begins at the Denny Creek Trailhead on CR 306, Cottonwood Pass Road. Mostly wooded and very pleasant, most of this hike’s climbing is at the beginning. Stay left when the Mt. Yale Trail 1451 splits off to the right and take the Hartenstein Trail 1443 when it departs to the left. This hike is about six miles out and back, and is also in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness so no mountain biking is allowed and pets must be kept on leash.
Interlaken: This trail is on NG/TI Map 110, “Leadville/Fairplay.” This easy out-and-back hike is approximately five miles. Turn left off SH 82 approximately ½ mile west of the intersection with US 24 at Balltown and follow the road past the dam to trailhead parking. The trail follows the shoreline of Twin Lakes Reservoir to the historic Interlaken town site. The site is being restored, has interpretive signs and is a great place to take a break before returning to your vehicle.
More information on these and other pleasurable hiking and running trails is in the book “Mellow Mountain Trails” by local authors Suzanne and Nathan Ward, available at The Trailhead and TheTrailheadCO.com.
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