Four miles from the start of the Gore Creek Trail, hikers will pass a marked split to Gore Lake on the right. Blaze a trail to these mile-high courses, resorts and festivals Missing Persons Yes, it’s crowded. The scenery changes dramatically here from green and gold to tundra and rock. Switchbacks help alleviate some of the vertical, but this is an uphill challenge to the top. This challenging trek makes for a rewarding (but long) day out in breathtaking terrain through aspen and pine forests and alpine meadows (Note: fall comes to the tundra in more subtle but still stunning ways). One bite into either a Colorado lamb T-bone or the ginger-and-peppercorn wild salmon will tell you why.The esoteric name of this stylish Aspen restaurant refers to the alignment of heavenly bodies, and you’ll remember it for its celestial fusion of French, Asian and Southwestern flavors. Cruise past the backcountry campsites (terrific options for novice backpackers) and discover the ruins of a homestead site settled by John Frazer — a sign points out his vegetable garden. Here the views from earlier are replaced by swaths of mesmerizing golden leaves. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. His charge was to completely redesign the Mountain course, which had been chewed up by underground springs and erosion. The front nine, which climaxes with a downhill 514-yard par-four ego booster, stokes you for a brutal back nine.
But warm weather delayed the peak time this year.Whether you’ve got an afternoon for a family hike, a full day for a big climb or a long weekend for a getaway to Telluride, you’ll find a trail here that takes in autumn’s arboreal wonders. Begin this trail from Beaver Creek Village at the base of the ski resort’s Centennial Express Lift to hike your way into aspens and evergreens — and up an incline that climbs about 2,000 feet to the Spruce Saddle Lodge. The second-best reward to seeing an endless sea of gold leaves aglow along the way? Hiking with the kids? Take a look and lace up those shoes — the gold doesn’t last forever.This trail starts on the upper end of Moraine Park and follows the Big Thompson, which rages with snowmelt through spring and early summer — and turns Fern Falls (2.5 miles from the trailhead) into a welcome misty respite for hot hikers.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Colorado, where without the aid of an E-Z-GO even Lance Armstrong’s legs would burn during a round at any number of Rocky Mountain layouts. But most of all: look around. In the fall, cooler temperatures ease the ascent, and the leaves burst forth in golds and reds that brighten the rust-hued backdrop of the Flatirons.
Golden Gate State Park is only 30 miles west of Denver, but it might as well be another world, thanks to uncrowded trails that wind through the lowlands, like this lollipop loop. After reaching the top of eight short but strenuous switchbacks, it’s about a 15 minute trek and one bridge crossing to the summit — a solid feat with a humble-brag worthy gain of about 2,000 feet. Completing an arc begun as an amateur, Jack Nicklaus returned to the Broadmoor as an architect in 2003. It’s not hard to find good hiking in the Telluride region, given the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Most impressive is the eight-story atrium that’s ringed by wrought-iron railings and rises to a stained-glass ceiling. The hike begins at the South Mesa Trailhead in Eldorado Canyon, but don’t be dismayed by crowds. Of all the technological advances in golf, arguably none has revolutionized the game more than the motorized cart. More Sunday stroll than uphill cardio party, this trail is a local favorite for morning or evening dog walks (leash law is strictly enforced). Climb to the saddle at 11,990 feet that looks out on the gorgeous lakes of South Willow Creek basin (an excellent backcountry backpacking destination) and 13,189-foot Red Peak in the distance. If you fail to drive deep enough into the landing areas, you’ll often face a blind second shot, possibly over boulders. Step 1. This lesser-known layout wends and scuttles through the stark, almost lunar landscape southeast of Grand Junction. Completing an arc begun as an amateur, Jack Nicklaus returned to the Broadmoor as an architect in 2003.
Your hybrids and fairway woods will get a workout—four of the par fours max out at more than 450 yards—as will your wedges when you scramble to get up and down. Expect views of changing leaves across the entire Boulder Valley and, if you’re there at the right time, raptors soaring in the sky. Amateur at the Broadmoor, the iconic Colorado Springs resort, which, by the way, will stage the 2008 Senior Open.Beyond the state’s double-black-diamond golf, its gourmet food and classical music festivals thrive in the glorious settings of Aspen and Vail.