TOUR COLORFUL COLORADO IN AUTUMN

By Roadrage

Once again, the best riding of the days of the year are here…all you have to do is get out and enjoy them. As much fun as the heat of the summer has been, the changes autumn brings are welcome, and colorful. Temperatures are generally cooler, and, the explosion of color in the high country that works magic on the soul is underway. If you don’t make the effort to get up into the hills soak up the feeling and atmosphere that is autumn in the Rockies, well, you’re just not properly focused.

While there is fall color everywhere, and finding a good ride isn’t tough, here are a few favorites that might work out well for anybody on a motorcycle. Actually, for a couple of these you'd probably want to take the truck or a cage, but they’re too good not to mention.

Before you head for the hills, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Remember, if you’re out gawking at the colors, so are the cagers. They’re not looking for you, and with the added distraction of the mountainsides awash in color, they may never see you. You don’t want to be on the ugly end of, “But I never saw a motorcycle, officer,” so be careful.

Keep an eye on the weather, and the time of day. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and a bright warm day can turn into a cold, wet, nasty experience pretty quickly. Be aware of temperature extremes. The mountains get cold once the sun goes down, even on the nicest of fall days. The later in the day you leave, the more likely you are to be caught in the high country at dusk or later. While there are some fantastic views near sundown, the trade off for hanging around to see them is riding home in the cold and dark…not always fun, but what the hell, you’re on a bike.

We’re into leather weather now, so take the cowskin with you, even if it’s 80 degrees or better in the cities. After wearing your leather all summer to look cool, now you can wear it ‘cause you need it--and learn what leather is all about.

Finally, take a camera with you. There will always be at least one place where you'll wish you had one. Even taking along a little pocket-sized point and shoot will do the trick.
Once you’ve geared up, point the front wheel towards the mountains and go. Remember, these are just a few of the great routes in the state. Peel off these suggestions at any point and discover your own colorful adventure. Better yet, get a map, string a few of these together and figure out a multi-day adventure or short putt that gets you into the crisp autumn wind. So, get the wheels turning and enjoy the rides!

SQUAW PASS & MT. EVANS
From Bergen Park, just North of Evergreen, take Squaw Pass Road west towards Mount Evans. It won't be long before the homes creeping into the backcountry are behind you and the road is taking you higher. After cresting 9807-foot Squaw Pass the road is flanked on both sides by splotches of color as it skirts around Chief Mountain (11,709 ft.). This high mountain road has several pull-off areas for rest, pics, or just taking in the sights. Not long after passing through Juniper Pass, the road hooks up with the Mount Evans Highway--right about at Echo Lake. Here, a left will take you to the summit of Mount Evans (14,264 ft), affording you some pretty awesome vistas, and a chance to ride a motorsickle above 14,000 feet--and the road is paved-but if you're looking for leaves you'll be outa luck. Taking a right will lead down the mountain to Idaho Springs, through a fairly populated canyon ablaze in Colorado color. If riding to the summit is your goal, the Mount Evans Highway has been known to close early due to snowfall, so start your trip early, and get off the mountain early.

WONDERVU & PEAK TO PEAK
This short run out of Denver is more heavily traveled than the others listed here, but offers just as much great fall scenery. Take Colorado 93 North out of Golden, or South from the People’s Republic of Boulder, to Colorado 72, and head west. Within a minute or two, you’re in Coal Creek Canyon, headed to some fabulous high country. This area is fairly well populated, and traffic can be a concern, but the ride is pleasant and pretty, eventually getting you to Wondervu. The view is wonderful. With a cafe on top of the hill for a quick stop, you never feel like you're going too far out of the city, but the scenery coming down the hill towards the Peak to Peak Highway tells you differently. After passing through Wondervu, you’ll be treated to a curvy road, requiring some attention, while at the same time, there will be marvelous views of the really high country. And the hills are ablaze with yellow the whole way. Once you hit the Peak to Peak (Colo. 119), you can either take a right, going North to Nederland and Barker Reservoir, then either North to Estes Park or East to the People’s Republic via Boulder Canyon. If you go back to Boulder this way, be aware, traffic here is pretty ugly, and not generally bike friendly. If you take a left at 119, you'll head south to Blackhawk and Central City before heading back into the metro area. An outstanding alternative to going through Blackhawk is catching Colorado 46 heading East through Golden Gate State Park. The park should be ablaze with yellow, and this is a fun little ride back into Golden. This well-kept secret is becoming more popular, so watch the traffic, and enjoy the ride.

ESTES PARK
This is gorgeous year-round, and is a can’t-miss ride. Get there off the Peak-to-Peak, or run up through Lyons. Either way is a good putt. Once there, head north out of town toward Ft. Collins, or for the adventurous, head up Trail Ridge Road. There’s not a lot of color on Trail Ridge, but the ride is spectacular, and it spits you out in Grand Lake, where the color lights up again. Follow the road up the valley along Grand Lake. In Granby, you’ll have to make a choice: left through Winter park and over Berthoud Pass, or right to Kremmling and on to Rabbit Ears Pass and Steamboat Springs. In Kremmling you can also head south into Silverthorne and Dillon. Either way, this is a long ride, and might kick your ass, but it’s a good run, and is a great escape from the big shitty. Go for it…your ass is numb already anyway.

CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR LOOP
This might be the best close-to-town ride you’ll find anywhere. Starting in Divide, on Highway 24 West of Woodland Park, follow Colorado 67 South, and some twenty breathtaking miles later, you'll find a fork in the road. To the right, you'll find Cripple Creek. To the left you'll find Victor. Either way works. The roads loop together, taking you on a great tour of the old mining district, and the scenery is not bad at all—with glowing Aspen all around. Eventually, you’ll come back out on 67 heading North back to Divide. This is a great day trip out of Colorado Springs. The other half of this great putt—Highway 67 from Denver to Woodland Park—is worth the ride. Part of the area is still recovering from the Hayman Fire six years ago, and is not as pretty as it once was, but the area is recovering…slowly…and does offer a fine mountain road alternative to rolling down the freeway before turning west. If you don't want to go back the way you got there, try heading out the west end of town on Florissant Road. True to its name, this road leads to Florissant. The road runs along Mueller State Park and Wildlife Area, and for fall color, is pretty spectacular. The road will also take you to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, which is worth a stop if you've never been there. The road ends in Florissant, on Highway 24, where you can go west, over Wilkerson Pass (9507 ft.) and into South Park, or go east back to Woodland Park. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, head south out of Victor on Phantom Canyon Road. This curvy stretch is a lot of fun, and will spit you out in Canon City on U.S. Hwy 50.

HWY. 285 & SOUTH PARK
If you can put up with the traffic on Hwy, 285 out of Denver this can be a fun ride. Once you get past Grant and head up Kenosha Pass, the sights are worth the traffic. Take a breather at the top of Kenosha Pass—and take in a pretty spectacular view, then head into South Park. The road will put you in Fairplay, where you can decide whether to head north to Breckenridge via Hoosier Pass, Southeast through the park to Hartsel and on to either Canon City or Colorado Springs, or Southwest to Buena Vista. This is a great way to kill a day, and have a great ride in the process.

BOREAS PASS
This used to be a little known dirt route running from Como, North of Fairplay, west to Breckenridge. The route is still there, but more people are learning about it all the time, and sometimes there can be a remarkable amount of traffic. This old railroad bed, which serves as a road, is all dirt, but worth it. This route isn’t for everybody…if you’re scared of a little dust on your scooter, don’t go this way. If you’re a real rider in the tradition of our ancestors, go for it. The road really isn't that bad--but it is a dirt road so you won’t be ripping along, but the scenery makes the slower ride worth it. The history of the area is pretty interesting, and a quick stop at the Mountain Man Gallery in Como will get you a warm greeting and all the information you'll want. The East side of this route leads you into and through a carpet of aspen. It's very impressive. Climbing higher, you'll get into what is left of the old mining and railroad settlements. Along the way, there are a few turnoffs for dirt roads into various branches of Tarryall Creek. These quickly become four-wheel-drive roads, and are not recommended for road bikes, so, just stay on the main road. Once to the top of Boreas Pass, elevation 11,482, it’s all downhill into Breckenridge. As the road winds down the hill and into town, you’ll be treated to some great views of the Ten Mile Range. Once in Breck, you’ll have a couple options on how to get back home, North to I-70, or back south over Hoosier Pass and into Fairplay. If you're starting out in Breck, the ride is just as nice, but all the same rules apply. Take it slow on the dirt, stay off the front brake a little bit, and you’ll enjoy this ride.

COTTONWOOD PASS
If a longer trip is more your speed, get yourself to Buena Vista on U.S. Hwy 24, and head west out of town on Cottonwood Pass Road. Before too long, you’ll be climbing up and over the Continental Divide, being treated to great views the whole way. Once over this spectacular pass, you’ll hit high-altitude Taylor Reservoir. Follow the road down Taylor Canyon to the town of Almont, where you’ll hit Colo. Hwy. 135; head north to Crested Butte, or south to Gunnison. Or do both—it’s only 35 miles between the two communities, and the Gunnison Valley is stunning in autumn. From the Front Range this trip is probably best done in a couple days, but a single ass-numbing day can do it.

INDEPENDENCE PASS
Get an early start on the day to enjoy this one. Run up I-70 to the Copper Mountain exit, then head south to Leadville on Hwy. 91. Then head south on US 24 to Hwy 82, and head West. This is where things start to get really good. You'll pass Twin lakes reservoir before starting an earnest climb up Independence Pass. The views are awesome, so take advantage of the turnouts to stop and enjoy them. Once cresting the pass, it becomes clear why Aspen is so named. Fans of the yellow leaves will be in heaven coming down the west side of the pass into Aspen, as the hills are thick with the white-barked trees. Once in Aspen, take a few minutes to rub off on the beautiful people, and maybe head over to scope out the Maroon Bells. This famous view is worth the ride, and is especially good in the morning hours. When you’re tired of Aspen, either go back the way you came, or head North to Glenwood Springs back out to I-70. If you have the time and are feeling like a longer adventure, turn south in Carbondale and ride McClure Pass.

MCCLURE PASS
This has got to be the most color-saturated stretch of highway in Colorado. Highway 133 from Carbondale to Hotchkiss on the West Slope is a decent road, not too heavily traveled, and is a very easy ride passing through Redstone, home of the famous Redstone Castle, over McClure Pass, 8755 feet, past the ragged Mountains and Paonia Reservoir and eventually taking you to Hotchkiss. Near the summit of the pass is the road to the Historic Marble District. This runs along the Crystal River and the famous Crystal Mill. This can be a rough road though, so watch it. The most impressive display along this route is probably on the South/West side of McClure Pass. The Raggeds are on the left as you’re heading down, and the approaches to these peaks are blanketed with aspen. It is something to see. Just past the south end of Paonia reservoir is County Road12-it leads over Kebler Pass to Crested Butte. It’s a breathtaking stretch of road, but it'd be a rough ride on a big twin. Stay on 133 to Hotchkiss, then head either West on Hwy. 92 to Delta, or East on 92 through Crawford and follow it on out to US Highway 50. Make no mistake, from the Front Range this is a long ride, and you’ll have to make it at least a two-day trip. With good weather and good colors, it might be the best ride you make all year.

HIGHWAY 550
If you made it to the Ignacio Rally, and actually got out and rode a bit, you may already know about this one. US 550, including the Million Dollar Highway, from Durango to Ouray is a ride everyone should take at least once. If you make it in the fall, so much the better. This run will take you through the heart of Colorado's mining country, a fair portion of it still active. Mining and history aside, this winding, high-altitude mountain road is loaded with color and is the most relaxing and awe-inspiring ride in the San Juans, maybe in the state. Loaded with good curves and well-maintained pavement, 550 will take you over three serious passes: Red Mountain, Molas, and Coal Bank Hill. Autumn foliage lines this road, making an already breathtaking ride even better. The best stretch might be between Durango and the base of Coal Bank Hill, where Aspen literally blanket both sides of the valley. But the views at the top of the hills are unbeatable. This is a multi-day ride, and worth every mile and minute. Come back the way you came, then head East via Gunnison and Monarch Pass, or head over Wolf Creek Pass into the San Luis Valley.