Most of Michael’s immediate family is in Colorado. Since we were headed south from Yellowstone, it was a great time for a quick visit. This was the latest during the year that we’ve stayed in Yellowstone. Many businesses and RV parks were closed for the season. Temperatures were below freezing at night and we were snowed on a number of times. Definitely time to head south for warmer weather.
Ouray, Colorado’s Fall Foliage is some of the best in the state because of the number of aspen and rugged mountains. Timing is everything. Last time we were here, we missed the peak by about a week and most of the leaves were down. It just takes a good rain or a few windy days to knock them off the aspen. This time it was peak, but it rained most days during our week stay. The bad thing about the rain was the jeep trails were mud, many of the yellow-orange leaves had fallen and clouds blocked the mountain peaks. The good thing was that snow fell above 10,000 feet creating dramatic snow capped mountain images.
Crested Butte is an amazing Colorado location to witness aspen fall foliage. The small ski town, dramatic mountains, deep blue skies, and huge yellow-orange aspen groves are quintessential Colorado. From Leadville, it was about a 1.5-hour drive to Crested Butte.
Leadville, Colorado was our highest elevation full hookup RV campground at 10,152 feet. It is also the highest city in the United States. Leadville is surrounded by two of the tallest 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado. Fortunately, we were acclimated to the higher elevation, but it is never enough. The area is beautiful, especially in the fall with the aspen changing color. From Breckenridge to Leadville it was about an hour drive.
Breckenridge is a tourist ski town in Colorado. The main street is packed with shops, bars and restaurants. The neighboring streets are filled with Victorian homes, condos, and very expensive private residences all with the backdrop of the ski resort and stunning mountains offering both summer and winter activities. It has been this way for so many years and the development just keeps expanding and the old gets redone and improved. From Granby it was about an hour and a half drive.
Granby is a town located about 14 miles southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park. Founded in 1904, it has been primarily prime cattle country. Now, it is a more affordable option to the nearby upscale communities of Grand Lake or Winter Park. From Steamboat Springs it was about a 1.5 hour drive to Granby.
