`Aspen gold lighting up Colorado's mountain passes

On Colorado’s high passes at 11,000 feet, the aspens rewarded us with peak color, their golden leaves bright against green-black conifers. … Read More

The post Aspen gold lighting up Colorado’s mountain passes appeared first on Digging.

September 17, 2026

My Texas brain can hardly comprehend that mid-September brings fall color to Colorado. But I’m a fast learner. So on Monday we hopped in the car and drove into the mountains, winding through high passes at 11,000 feet. There the aspens rewarded us with peak color, their golden leaves bright against green-black conifers.

Guanella Pass

We started in colorful Georgetown, Colorado, and from there took a twisty road up to Guanella Pass.

We stopped at pullouts to admire the trees and views, aware of the rule about not stopping in the roadway. Because it was Monday, traffic was light, but I’d expect hoards of leaf peepers on the weekend.

At one pullout we saw a stream where willows were turning yellow…

…and grasses a tawny orange.

It was beautiful.

We kept a wary eye out for moose but didn’t see one. But a passing motorist slowed down when we got back in our car to tell us he’d just seen a big one cross the road. We were glad to have avoided an encounter on foot.

What a view!

At the high point of the pass, we enjoyed a car picnic while gazing out at this vista.

The sky threatened rain, but it didn’t amount to more than sprinkles.

Boreas Pass

Next we drove to Breckenridge and headed up the Boreas Pass road. This scene with a split-rail fence reminded me of Cades Cove in Tennessee.

Higher up, aspens screened views of mountains far more imposing than the Smokies in Tennessee.

Almost above the treeline, but not quite

Near the top of Boreas Pass, some aspens were already losing their leaves. I’ve heard the drought is accelerating the color change and leaf drop this year.

For now, though, it’s pretty stunning…

…whether you like your aspens gold…

…or orange.

Last view

And a mule deer sighting as we headed for home

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The post Aspen gold lighting up Colorado’s mountain passes appeared first on Digging.