Three Aspen Trails for Aspen Lovers

One of the prettiest sights of autumn is the fluttering of the aspen’s golden-yellow leaves. From a distance, the trees stand apart from the surrounding dark forest. In the right light, they seem to burn, like fire in the wind.

Many botanists believe the aspen is the most widely distributed tree on the North American continent, so there’s not exactly a shortage of aspens or places to observe them. But what better place to celebrate the tree than in the town named after it: Aspen, Colo.

Even not-so-lyrical American fur trappers and mountain men of the last century were impressed by the tree’s range and beauty. Colorado prospectors, acknowledging the aspens, changed the name of their silver-strike boom town from Ute City.

Visiting the aspens in Aspen is particularly inviting after frost has touched the trees. Following the first cold snap, the aspens reveal their fall finery, a display of color that may be unrivaled in the American West.

Autumn in Colorado has its critics and its fans. Some folks have little use for a day that begins with frost, becomes hot enough to sunburn your nose by noon, and has you shivering by sunset. Others believe that autumn is the best of all seasons. The high country is crisp but still inviting, and autumn colors create a mosaic of red and gold.

Residents of Aspen seem ambivalent about autumn. The annual Oktoberfest is held the first weekend in September. It’s as though the town doesn’t quite know what to do with itself between the end of the Aspen Music Festival in August and the beginning of ski season on Thanksgiving.

“Even if you arrive here after the color show ends, but before the snow sticks, it’s a great time to be hiking around Aspen,” said Cheryl Tatro, an information officer for the Aspen area of the White River National Forest.

Tatro recommends three Aspen trails for fall-foliage fans: Ute, Hunter Valley and Maroon Lake.

Ute Trail (2 1/2 miles round trip, 1,700-foot elevation gain) offers the best view of Aspen. From Main Street in Aspen, head east to Original Street and turn right toward the mountains. Follow Original to its end at Ute Avenue, then turn left, proceeding .4 mile to the signed trail head on the right and parking on the left.

The short-but-very-steep trail climbs through scrub, then aspen groves, switchbacking up Aspen Mountain. At first you see only the east end of Aspen, but wider and wider panoramas gradually unfold until, at trail’s end (a rock outcropping at 9,700 feet elevation), you can eyeball the whole town and much of the Roaring Fork Valley.

Hunter Valley Trail (6 1/2 miles round trip, 1,100-foot elevation gain) leads through mellow meadows along boisterous Roaring Fork River, and offers great views of aspen groves and the town of Aspen. From Main Street in downtown Aspen, turn north on Mill Street, cross the bridge over the Roaring Fork River, bear left on Red Mountain Road, then take the next right. The trail head is on the left between the Aspen Community Center and some condominiums.

The path ascends through scrub oak and aspen, crosses a meadow and winds through Hunter Valley. As you work your way through the aspen and pine forest on the back side of Smuggler Mountain, you’ll emerge for great views of the resort and Roaring Fork Valley.

Maroon Lake Trail (1 1/4 miles round trip) is an easy lakeside stroll and a starting point for some more arduous hikes into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. To reach Maroon Lake, take Colorado 82 about half a mile west of Aspen. Turn left on Maroon Creek Road and follow it 9 1/2 miles to its end at the Maroon Lake parking lot. You can ride the Maroon Bells bus ($3.50 adults) to Maroon Lake from Aspen on weekends through the first weekend in October.

The path around Maroon Lake gives a close-up look at the beaver dams. Beyond the lake and meadow, you can ascend Maroon Lake Trail another mile through mixed aspen and evergreen forest. You’ll crest a short, steep hill, then the trail splits. The left fork is a path leading along the west fork of Maroon to Crater Lake. The right fork is the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Trail bound for Buckskin Pass and Snowmass Village.

The trail flattens out as it reaches Crater Lake, another picture-perfect picnic spot with the gorgeous Maroon Bells providing a dramatic backdrop.

Rocky Mountains, Aspen

Ute, Hunter Creek, Maroon Lake Trails

WHERE: White River National Forest.

DISTANCE: 2 1/2-6 miles round trip.

TERRAIN: Steep aspen- and evergreen-cloaked slopes behind the town of Aspen.

HIGHLIGHTS: Aspen views from among the aspen.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

PRECAUTIONS: Prepare for high-altitude (8,000-9,000 feet) hiking and fast-changing weather conditions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact White River National Forest, Aspen Ranger District, 806 W. Hallam, Aspen, Colo. 81611, (303) 925-3445.