It’s mid-September, and in Colorado that means it’s leaf peeping season, when the quaking aspens turn gold before going to sleep for the winter.
While there have been a lot of news media reports that fall colors are turning early, that doesn’t appear to be the case in the Pikes Peak region where there has been more precipitation, especially in August, than other parts of the state, combined with relatively warm weather and sunny days. The western slope of Colorado has experienced a deep drought, and fall colors there are not expected to be as vibrant or plentiful as would normally be expected. The next few weeks in the Pikes Peak region should be pretty colorful!
These are some of my favorite trails for viewing and photographing fall colors:
Mueller State Park
By far, Mueller State Park has the highest concentration of aspen-rich hiking trails in the Pikes Peak region. While there are aspen groves all over the park, the most accessible and aspen-plentiful trails are at the north end of the park, specifically the Buffalo Rock, Cahill Pond, Moonshine Trails and the southern portion of the Cheesman Ranch trail, all of which are accessed from the Grouse Mountain Trailhead (https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/grouse-mountain-1309). Stop in at the visitor’s center to get the latest fall colors conditions and trail recommendations from the great staff and volunteers there. Entry fees, a current annual parks pass or Keep Colorado Wild pass required. Dogs are not permitted on any trails in the park, so leave Rover home.
Horsethief Park
A few miles further down Highway 67 from Mueller State Park, Horsethief Park is a side trip on the way to the popular Horsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks Trails. About a half mile or so from the trailhead, look for trail 704 to turn left, and take the trail for about a mile through the open Horsethief Park. If there has been recent rainfall, look for the pond to the right near where trail 704C cuts off for some nice reflection photos. The trailhead parking is small and when going south bound towards Cripple Creek, is just after a blind curve, so use caution going in and out, and go early on weekends to avoid crowds, or go on a weekday. This is U.S. Forest land, so no permits or fees are required. https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/horsethief-park-20800
Mount Esther Trail #754 in Crowe Gulch
Located about 2 miles from the entry gate on the Pikes Peak Highway, this trail is usually passed up by people in a hurry to get to the summit – no doubt for the Summit House donuts, but they are missing out by not stopping and getting out of the car. Originating at the Crowe Gulch Picnic Area, the trail winds its way through a lovely open meadow with grass as high as your thighs and lined with trees. The best spot is about a mile up where the trail crests a ridge and drops down into a narrow gulch before climbing back out and continuing to Mt. Esther. You can either turn around here, or keep going, but as of this writing September, 2025, the trail is closed where it enters the North Slope Recreation Area, a little more than another three-fourths of a mile up. Entry fees do apply for the Pikes Peak Highway, including a timed-entry permit. For more information go to https://coloradosprings.gov/drivepikespeak. Mt. Esther Trail info: https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/crowe-gulch-22335 .
This is not an exhaustive list of places to see fall colors on the Front Range, but if you’re looking for places within an hour’s drive of Colorado Springs, this will get you started!
Be Good. Do Good Things. Leave No Trace.
