Blog Layout
Colorado’s top 3 drives for leaf peeping
Sep 08, 2015
With Labor Day firmly behind us, the annual Colorado gold rush won’t be far off. New England may be home to the most famous fall foliage in the United States, but Colorado’s high country puts on a golden display so vibrant that the uninitiated sometimes insist the photos have been edited. Here are our top three picks (in no particular order) for viewing the aspen trees this autumn.
- West Elk Loop. You’ll need some time to get to and complete this 200+ mile lollipop-shaped route, so plan to take a couple of days and overnight along the way. The West Elk Loop includes everything from deep canyons to some of the state’s most striking alpine scenery. Starting in Carbondale (ten miles south of Glenwood Springs on Highway 82), drive on Highway 133 south to McClure Pass, and then on to the farming communities of Paonia and Hotchkiss. In Hotchkiss, follow Highway 92 west to Delta, than turn south on Highway 50 and drive to Montrose. From there, Highway 50 continues along the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and then onto Gunnison itself. Finally, Highway 135 carries you north to Crested Butte and, weather permitting, Gunnison County Road 12 will take you back to Highway 133 south of McClure Pass (Kebler Pass is closed in winter, so check conditions before you set out).
- Peak-to-Peak Highway. This more than 50-mile drive parallels the Continental Divide from Black Hawk to Estes Park and passes so close to Longs Peak (the northernmost fourteener in the Rocky Mountains) that you’ll swear you could touch it. Even better? It’s an easy day trip from just about anywhere along the I-25 corridor. From Black Hawk, take Highway 119 north to Nederland, then follow Highway 72 north to its junction with Highway 7, and finally drive along Highway 7 to Estes Park. Return the way you came or head down Highway 34 or 36 to get back to the Front Range.
- San Juan Skyway. The San Juan Skyway is not for the faint of heart, but those who brave its winding curves, dramatic drop offs, and guardrail-free shoulders will never forget its beauty. Start in Durango, and simply follow Highway 550 north to Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgway. Take your time, and be sure to stop off at Molas Pass for 360-degree views. Then stop at Red Mountain Pass to pause and catch your breath before dropping down into Ouray. Twelve miles west of Ridgway on Highway 62, the autumn views of Mt. Sneffels from the Dallas Divide are some of the most iconic in the state. If you have time, continue on Highway 62 to Placerville and then travel east on Highway 145 to Telluride, where you can enjoy the view from the free gondola that carries passengers more than 1,500 vertical feet to the top of the box canyon.
These are but the very best fall foliage drives the Centennial State has to offer. Buffalo Pass near Steamboat Springs, Guanella Pass near Georgetown, and the views from Summit County’s Dillon Reservoir are all equally worth your attention. Just remember that in Colorado, elevation makes a difference: Areas above 7,500 feet may peak in late September, while forests closer to Denver could display fall colors almost until Thanksgiving.
Journey Homes builds quality, affordable homes up and down the Front Range of Colorado, and we encourage you to drive safely and enjoy the view. To learn more about us and our many beautiful communities, please contact Journey Homes today at 970-330-5480 in Northern Colorado or 719-648-2914 in Colorado Springs.
Thank you for reading our Journey Homes Blog!
Written by: Bob Golba, Sales Manager
We are YOUR Colorado Home Builder – Serving Northern & Southern Colorado.
Northern Colorado New Homes – Colorado Springs New Homes
In Alphabet Inc.’s, Google’s parent company, latest move they partnered with Chipotle and Virginia Tech to deliver burritos around campus via drones.
Colorado cities’ residential real estate showed up strong on a new report that looks at the nation’s best housing markets.
Colorado continues to be in the spotlight nationally for a strong economy. Is it any wonder that so many people want to come and join us in this great state!
The Greeley-Evans area saw median single-family home prices hit a 2016 high of $248,250 in April, a 12.6 percent increase over the same month a year earlier.
Boulder has topped finance site SmartAsset’s annual list of the housing markets with the most stable growth, but this time Fort Collins and Denver joined it in the top 10.
the most recent good news comes from a study by livability.com that named Greeley not just the most affordable city in the Centennial State, but the seventh most affordable in the country.
In the Milken Institute’s annual ranking of the top-performing cities in the United States, Colorado shines once again, with four of our cities among the top 25 large metro areas nationwide.
There may still be nearly two months left in autumn, astronomically speaking, but meteorologically, winter is all but here. And as fall begins to wind down, most of us have more than a few leaves lying in the yard.
According to a just-released survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Colorado ranks fifth in the nation in overall economic performance and fourth when it comes to high-tech innovation.
After the historic floods of 2013, Coloradans pulled together to help their neighbors, and two years later, our sense of community is as strong as ever.
Journey Homes - Northern Colorado
7251 W 20th Street, L-200
Greeley, CO 80634
Phone: 970-539-0120
Fax: 970-330-5357
