As the days shorten and the nights become cooler, the mountains of Summit County transform into a colorful canvas of canary-yellow, gold, burgundy, pink and orange as the leaves of aspen trees change to their fall foliage. The warm, sunny days and crisp mornings create a perfect opportunity to explore some of the area’s hiking and mountain biking trails where you will find a colorful carpet of freshly fallen aspen leaves. Fly-fishing on the Blue River is at its peak with hungry trout rising for dry flies.
What’s more, Breckenridge’s and Frisco’s historic main streets are buzzing with excellent events. And the anticipation of the first snow is palpable as you walk around town and chat with the locals. September truly is one of the most stunning months to experience the mountains of Colorado, and visitors and locals alike savor every second of this time of year.
Finding Fall Colors
One of the best things about Fall is the changing of the aspen leaves. It begins with some splashes of yellow here and there but progresses to whole hillsides covered with crimson, yellow, and orange. It’s the perfect time of year to hit the trail and do some exploring! One of the local favorite hikes to see some fall colors is Aspen Alley. Only 1.3 miles long, this hike is just south of Breckenridge and is a great single-track trail for mountain bikers and hikers alike. You’ll walk through stunning aspen stands and halfway up the trail you’ll find a relic of Breckenridge’s mining days where you can enjoy spectacular views of Breckenridge and the Tenmile Range.
Another great area to find some fall colors is in the French Gulch area. As you’re going north out of Breck, turn right on Huron Road (at the 7-Eleven) and follow the road until it turns to dirt. Here you will find many trails that travel through aspen stands and feature great views of the changing leaves. The Reiling Dredge Trail will take you to a historic mining dredge that still resides in the valley.
If you’re looking to cover some distance without having to put too much work in, try driving Boreas Pass Road. Here you’ll drive through miles of changing aspens and will find sweeping views of almost the entire Blue River valley.
Breckenridge Events
A number of great events take place during the month of September in Breckenridge including the famous Breckenridge Oktoberfest! This annual celebration takes place September 8-10, shutting down Main Street as lederhosen-clad party goers down German beers from traditional steins, indulge in pretzels and wiener schnitzel, and polka dance to traditional German music. This event brings Munich to the Rocky Mountains for a long weekend of great times and great beers! Don’t miss this event, and be sure to reserve your lodging and pre-order your beer stein and tokens as they usually sell out.
Another great event to attend in Breckenridge this fall is the Breckenridge Wine Classic that takes place September 14-17. Taste some of the best wines from around the world at this popular event while expanding your knowledge of a variety of wines. Master sommeliers, chefs, and wine makers will be there to tantalize your taste buds during the height of the fall foliage.
Frisco Events
A favorite event for visitors to Frisco is the Frisco Fall Fest where 14 of Frisco’s best restaurants serve up their signature dishes in small plate portions under one tent on Frisco’s picturesque Main Street. No foodie fest is complete without a beer garden and this event will feature Germany’s Hofbräu beer and Coyote Gold, Colorado’s own “Microbrew of Margaritas”. The event takes place from 11:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Don’t miss this celebration of everything tasty!
You don’t want to miss September in Summit County. Give us a call at 800-383-7382 or book your stay online today!
