Melnq8

The drive from Divide to Cripple Creek is about 18 miles. Some of it is slow going, winding with a 35-40 MPH speed limit. Watch for big horn sheep, particularly on the curves - they can surprise you.

Not much in Divide, but there is a nice little pub/bistro called McGinty's on the north side of Highway 24, just before the traffic light where you turn left onto 67 to Cripple Creek. Great pizza and gouda beer soup.

If you have time, you might enjoy Mueller State Park, which is a short distance from Divide on 67 - it's beautiful with lots of hiking trails and picnic grounds - $7.50 admission, nice Visitor's Center.

The hike to Crags is pretty wonderful too - I just walked it again on Sunday and the leaves were beautiful - access at the Crags Campground on the east side of 67- allow three hours for the hike.

Food in Cripple Creek can be hit and miss, but we like the breakfast burritos with green chile at Dynamite Dick's on the second floor of the Midnight Rose Casino. There are also cafes in McGill's and Johnny Nolans, they're okay, not great, but okay.

As for what to do, there's a fabulous Heritage Center above Cripple Creek, the narrow gauge railway to Victor, a museum, mine tours, hikes, and melodrama at the Butte Theater. Otherwise Cripple Creek is a Victorian town with some interesting buildings that operate as casinos and lots of hilly streets. And free roaming burros.

BeachGirl247

Here is one:

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/pa...s/parkMap.aspx

Also, the forest service is working with an app called Yonder which I have not tried.

bcsa

Thanks for such helpful information. Can't wait!

Melnq8

Some photos from the drive between Divide and Cripple Creek, CO taken yesterday. The leaves between 9.000-10,000 are at peak. You snooze, you lose!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/melnq8...57671006064343

BeachGirl247

Melnq8, that is a beautiful drive! Yes, the leaves are changing so quickly right now even here in Santa Fe.

The leaves on Santa Fe mountain are changing and should be good for another week or so. I saw that it was snowing on Independence Pass so leaves on the trees won't last long.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while you can!
"He who hesitates loses."

bcsa

Will be taking that drive this weekend and Santa Fe next week - hope the foliage is still beautiful. Can't wait.
Again, thank you for your input!!!

bcsa

Some of the aspen were at their peak and some were just beginning to turn along highway 24 from Colorado Springs, going west yesterday. There were beautiful areas with the golden aspen against the evergreens and blue sky.

BeachGirl247

We drove the Enchanted Circle yesterday in New Mexico through Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest (wow!!), Angel Fire and into Taos. Colors are peaked and very colorful. Aspens, scrub oak, and others are mustards, yellows, reds, oranges -- very beautiful.

Then we took the High Road from Taos down through Peñasco, Truchas (stunning views and colors), Chimayo and Nambé. Afternoon drive would be best for viewing with the sun illuminating the colors. One of the best drives we've witnessed here in our many years driving northern NM.

bcsa

Both sound like beautiful drives! We are planning to take the circle drive, but it will be in about a week. Hope the colors are still pretty. Thank you for your input.

bcsa

Drive from Divide to Buena Vista - highway 24- had some gorgeous spots. Strong winds have knocked leaves off some stands along the drive. Some backroads in Buena Vista area are still beautiful, but don't know how long they will be.

Melnq8

Snow predicted for the end of the week here in southern CO - what's left of the leaves aren't long for this world

BeachGirl247

You're right about that. And, our winds in Santa Fe today probably blew off most of the leaves. I'm supposed to go up hiking this week and hope they hung on to the trees!

Winter is knocking in our door.

bcsa

We feel very lucky to have hit the peak of the foliage color this year. It is still beautiful around Salida and especially on the backroads in that area.

BeachGirl247

Aspen/Snowmass received 4" of snow and more on the mountain. I'm looking at pictures and can't believe winter is already around the corner.

Santa Fe colors are still hanging on and no snow in our forecast (she says knocking on wood

BeachGirl247

Wow! Aspens on Santa Fe ski mountain are amazing. Hiked Aspen Vista and then went over to the ski basin and stops along the way down. The overlook has a stand next to the road that is so bright with the afternoon light illuminating it.

It's a great weekend to get on Santa Fe mountain and see the beautiful aspens.

bcsa

On Oct. 11th the Aspen were still beautiful on drive up to Santa Fe ski area. Looks like we were really lucky this year, followed the peak foliage from Divide, CO, all the way down to Santa Fe over about a two week span.

bcsa

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions and input!!!

Nelson

Thanks for reporting back. Glad you had a great trip and were lucky in your timing and route. It's tough to predict where and when the good color will be.

We missed the fall color in our mountains this year because we were out in the California redwoods, but that was an OK trade-off!

bcsa

California redwoods are always awesome!!!