As the weather cools and the days get shorter, leaves’ green chlorophyll disintegrates. Other colors within the leaves become visible. These orange and yellow pigments are always there, but in summer, the chlorophyll masks them. In autumn, the leaves bare all.
Leaves first show their true colors at high elevations and in the north. The blaze cascades southward and down mountainsides as the season progresses. Leaf peepers, grab your trekking poles and daypack and check out these trails in the East, West, and Rocky Mountains:
EAST
Nowhere compares to the East for colors. From Maine to Georgia, trees blush in yellow, orange, scarlet, purple, and brown. Suggesting where not to go hike would be much easier. Nonetheless, we did manage to choose a couple sublime trails. Fall weather is unpredictable in the East, so be sure to pack some raingear and a pack fly.
Maine
Old Speck Mountain Trail, Grafton Notch State Park
The trail: This trail winds 3.9 miles through the hardwood and evergreen forests of Grafton Notch State Park in western Maine. It crosses several mountain streams to reach Maine’s third highest summit at 4,180 feet. Enjoy the reds and yellows of the maple, oak, and beech trees. A fire tower at the summit allows 360-degree views that include New Hampshire’s White Mountains to the west, famous for their fall hues.
Peak peep time: Late September to early October
The drive: 1.5 hours from Portland, Maine; 3.5 hours from Boston
Directions: From Bethel, a ski town in western Maine, head to Grafton Notch State Park. Pull in to the lot where the Appalachian Trail crosses Route 26. Begin the trail by following the AT south.
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Pennsylvania
Minister Creek Trail, Allegheny National Forest
The trail: This 6.6-mile trail loops around Minister Creek and climbs a plateau in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest. You’ll see maple, black cherry, white ash, sweet birch, and other Allegheny hardwoods in kodachrome. This loop trail joins with the North Country National Scenic Trail, which will eventually extend 3,200 miles from New York to North Dakota (in case you want to keep going). Word to the wise: be sure to wear hunter orange.
Peak peep time: Early October
The drive: 2 hours from Pittsburgh; 6 hours from New York City
Directions: The trailhead is on SR 666 about 15 miles southwest of Sheffield, Pa., in the Allegheny National Forest of western Pennsylvania.
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Tionesta Creek, Allegheny National Forest
ROCKIES
All along the Rockies, from Glacier National Park to New Mexico, the aspens put on a show. The Colorado Rockies are an outstanding place to hike and mountain bike among falling leaves. Just about anywhere in the Colorado high country you can see yellow and orange aspen leaves shimmering in the wind during the fall. You know about Utah’s legendary skiing—the Wasatch Mountains also have spectacular aspen displays. Trees at the highest elevations begin changing as early as late August some years. The season lasts through October. Dress in layers—the Rockies are notorious for erratic weather.
Colorado
Colorado Trail, San Isabel National Forest
The trail: Hike among aspen groves in the shadow of Colorado’s highest peak, 14,433-foot Mount Elbert. This stretch of the 500-mile Colorado Trail starts at the stunning Twin Lakes Reservoir, which is at about 9,200 feet. It then continues seven miles north through the San Isabel National Forest to Halfmoon Creek at about 10,000 feet.
Peak peep time: Late September
The drive: 2.25 hours from Denver
Directions: Turn west onto Colorado Highway 82 (Independence Pass) from U.S. Highway 24 between Leadville, CO and Buena Vista, CO.
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Utah
Aspen Grove Trail, Uinta National Forest
The trail: Your backdrop along this scenic wilderness hike is 11,753-foot Mount Timpanogos. Gain more than 3,000 feet of elevation as you climb 5.5 miles through forests of quaking aspen, Douglas fir, gambel oak, and maple. Your destination is Emerald Lake and its permanent snow field at roughly 10,300 feet. Watch for mountain goats, deer, and other wildlife. If snow hasn’t fallen yet, continue another couple miles to Timp’s summit.
Peek peep time: Late September
The drive: 1.25 hours from Salt Lake City
Directions: Turn onto Utah Highway 92 (Alpine Loop Scenic Byway) from U.S. Highway 189 between Orem, UT and Heber City, UT. Pass Sundance Resort and head roughly five miles to the trailhead (Trail #52).
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NORTHWEST
Despite its reputation, the Northwest isn’t all rain and emerald forests. Many excellent spots to witness the season’s change exist in the Cascade Range. These mountains run through Washington and Oregon and include the impressive Mount Rainier, at 14,411ft.
Washington
Indian Bar Trail, Mount Rainier National Park
The trail: This 14.5-mile trail gains about 2,900 feet in elevation and takes you along ridges and through meadows with views of Mount Rainier’s southeast side. In early September, you might hear bull elks bugling. But now is the best time to see autumn’s fiery colors. Crimson-leafed huckleberry bushes and gold-leafed mountain ash light up this national park.
Peak peep time: Early October
The drive: 2 hours from Seattle
Directions: From the Longmire-Paradise Road in Mount Rainier National Park, drive east 11 miles to the parking lot and trailhead at Box Canyon.
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WEST
Nowhere in California beats the eastern Sierras for its leaf-changing season. Even transplanted Easterners think this region’s fall aspen show is wicked. This is when groves of those slender trees topped with golden leaves glow on hillsides and in canyons like so many lit matches. Cottonwoods and willows add their yellows to the fall palette, as well. Winter could arrive any day now in the Sierras—be prepared.
California
Lundy Canyon Trail, Inyo National Forest
The trail: This roughly 5.5-mile trail heads through Lundy canyon and climbs switchbacks to Twenty Lakes Basin. You’ll pass several 30-foot waterfalls along the way, as well as many aspen groves. This trail begins at roughly 8,100-feet and climbs about 1,000 feet.
Peak peep time: Late September
The drive: 4 hours from Sacramento; 2.5 hours from Reno, N.V.
Directions: Lundy Canyon is 45 miles north of Mammoth Lakes in Inyo National Forest’s Hoover Wilderness. From Highway 395, turn west on Lundy Lake Road and drive 6.5 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead.
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