September in Leadville and Twin Lakes offers one of nature’s most spectacular palettes. As summer showers give way to morning frosts, the mountains transform into a vibrant display that draws many locals and visitors deep into the forest.
This brief (and relatively early) window of peak fall colors creates an irresistible pull for runners, hikers, mountain bikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Morning air is crisp, but warm sunshine filters through golden tunnels of quaking aspen. Every twist of the trail unveils a natural gallery.
Beyond the iconic gold of our aspen groves, the Colorado Trail near Leadville showcases a tapestry of blazing reds against evergreen backdrops, unexpected oranges and purples, and countless other small discoveries. These snapshots tell the story not just of changing seasons, but of the experiences that make people stop in their tracks and breathe deeply with appreciation. We are reminded that change is inevitable, but transition can be magnificent.
Here is some of the beauty waiting to be discovered in fall on Segment 9 and Segment 10 of the Colorado Trail.
A Golden Cathedral
The quintessential Colorado fall experience – moving through a tunnel of golden aspen along a quiet trail.
Beautiful sections of gold can be found along the trail near Camp Hale and surrounding Twin Lakes.
- Aspens typically peak in mid to late September at 10,000 feet elevation
- Individual groves are connected underground through shared root systems
- Peak color lasts only 1-2 weeks before leaves begin to drop
- Older Colorado Trail markers – or ‘blazes’ – closely match the golden leaves
Fiery Reds at Ground Level
The trail offers plenty of red discoveries, whether ancient rocks or ephemeral fungi.
Sections of the trail near the Timberline Lake Trail and Leadville National Fish Hatchery is a great place to find interesting rocks and fungi.
- Cartoon-like red and white mushrooms emerge during fall’s moist conditions, as do many other species of fungi.
- Iron oxide in Mt. Massive’s granite creates rust-colored streaks.
Iridescence Under Our Feet
Sometimes the trail shimmers and catches the sunlight. Mica flakes catch your eye like natural glitter from Lake County’s granite formations.
Areas of the trail around Turquoise Lake are great spots to look out for mica in the rocks.
- These crystalline minerals come from the mountain’s ancient geological processes
- Weather and foot traffic gradually expose fresh mica flakes along the trail
- Mica was once called “isinglass” and used as windows in early stoves and lanterns. It was always less valuable than the gold and silver that built Leadville, but still beautiful.
Warm Earth Tones and Minty Green
The trail reveals rust and orange hues in weathered artifacts scattered through the forest.
Keep a look out in the Mount Massive Wilderness Area for remnants of the mining days.
- Lichen creates natural green, orange and yellow patterns on the granite.
- Unlike the heavily industrialized mining district on Leadville’s East Side, Mount Massive mostly has scattered evidence of small search parties or individual prospectors.
- The Mount Massive Wilderness Area was created in 1980, protecting a portion of the Colorado Trail, the surrounding landscape and its historic items. Foot travelers can continue through a Wilderness Area, but bikes must detour around these precious landscapes to protect them.
Purple & Blue Accents
Not all trail colors are warm – cool tones provide striking contrast to the warm palette of the evergreens.
The top of Tennessee Pass is a great area to find the cool tones of winter signage.
- Blue trail markers guide runners, hikers and skiers year round, similar to the trail markings at our neighboring ski resorts. Pedestrian trails’ markers, however, do not indicate a level of difficulty.
- September’s longer nights and lower sun angle create dramatic pink, peach and purple sunsets.
Discover Your Own Trail Colors
The Colorado Trail through Lake County offers more than just a path through the mountains – it’s a gallery of discoveries waiting for those who take time to look closely. Fall running and hiking reveals the rich variety of colors that make these brief September weeks unforgettable.
Plan your visit: Learn more about trail conditions and volunteer opportunities at the Colorado Trail Foundation, and find detailed wilderness information and regulations for the Mount Massive Wilderness through the U.S. Forest Service. For interactive trail maps and current conditions, check Colorado’s official trail app, COTREX.
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