Every year I get some version of the same message: “Should I go this weekend?” And every year my honest answer is “it depends where.” So instead of guessing, I’m driving all over Colorado to peep the current conditions and reporting back on exactly what I’m seeing, where, and when.
This page is my running conditions log for 2026: real photos, real dates, real locations, updated as I hit new trails and passes throughout September and October. Bookmark it, check back before you head out, and skip straight to the most recent update below.
For a reference of best general areas where to see Fall colors in Colorado, check out my main post here.
Follow me on IG @followtiffsjourney to see more updated videos on stories.
If this fall colors guide saved you time or planning stress, please consider buying me a cup of tea (click here) — it helps me keep driving all over Colorado to bring you real-time trail and color reports and maintain the costs of running this blog 🤗
Sept 30, 2026: Vail-Edwards from i70
Vail is at PEAK right now and this is where I’d recommend going for leaf-peeping this weekend. Hike around Vail Mountain. I drove by just before sunrise so it looks more dreary in photos, but trust me—it’s very yellow right now!
Sept 29, 2026: Frisco-Breck Bike Path
Sept 27, 2026: Frisco
Hiked the Rainbow Lake trail from one trailhead to the other end starting at Zach’s Point, not as an out-and-back and I’d recommend doing the same. There’s more golden aspens on the other end, and take the bike path back for even more variety of views and colors!
Sept 22, 2026: Monarch Pass
Monarch Pass is mostly green still with patches of yelllow. This photo is the only section of the road that is really peaking—seen driving from Monarch Pass towards Poncho Springs.
Sept 22, 2026: Lake City / San Juan Mountains
I drove to the San Juan Mountains near Lake City on CO Road 30 for about 16 miles, past Sherwin Town Overlook, and the fall foliage is at peak in many places right now! Lots of green closer to Lake City but higher up the road, yellow colors and even a little bit of orange are peaking at higher altitude.
Sept 18, 2026: Guanella Pass Road
Not peak. Still lots of green. And lots of leaves on the ground already. Clear Lake Picnic Area is a nice little spot. A lot of the campgrounds allong Guanella Pass Road are surrounded by aspens that are peaking right now. Explored dirt roads and pull outs for peak colors. Abyss Trailhead is very green right now with tiny pockets of yellow, this is not the peak weekend for the Abyss Trail. From the Pass to hwy 285 is very green.
Clear Lake
Guanella Pass Road
Abyss Trail
Sept 18, 2026: Kenosha Pass Summit & Kenosha Pass Overlook
The issue with Kenosha Pass is that many of the leaves have already fallen. Some trees are peak golden yellow, a fair are still green-yellow and need time, but there’s just not much leaves this year. The Colorado Trail is good colors right now, just lacking leaves. If you have a 4wd, drive to the overlook. That road is gorgeous right now. You can also hike, just plan for a longer day.
Sept 16, 2026: Drive from Minturn to Leadville US-24
Sept 16, 2026: Turquoise Lake
Some patches of colors near the south end of the lake along the roads
Sept 16, 2026: Twin Lakes, Independence Pass, and Mt Elbert Forebay (Buena Vista)
Twin Lakes area, Mt. Elbert Forebay lake, Interlaken Trail, and the drive up to Independence Pass.
Independence Pass is beautiful right now and that drive would be great right now, but the whole area around Twin Lakes which is lower elevation than the road up the pass, is just starting to turn colors — I would wait 1-2 weeks, closer to the end of September, to visit.
Mt Elbert Forebay
Twin Lakes and Mt Elbert Area
Independence Pass Drive
Sept 16, 2026: Kenosha Pass
Sept 15, 2026: Kenosha Pass
Sept 15, 2026: Breckenridge, Boreas Pass, Aspen Alley
If you’re trying to go leaf-peeping this weekend, this is my exact driving route which I’d high recommend.
Driving north: Denver → Hwy 285 (stop at Kenosha Pass) → Como → Boreas Pass Road → Rocky Point → Boreas Pass → Aspen Alley.
Drive the full Boreas Pass Road for the best foliage experience. Rocky Point is a quick 5-minute walk to old railway remnants and an open mountain view. On my visit, the section before the pass was more colorful than the Breckenridge side, which had pockets of golden aspens but more fallen leaves; it’s definitely not like previous years. I hiked Aspen Alley from the top to avoid the crowds, but there’s now a shuttle from Breckenridge on weekends if you’d rather skip the drive.
Read more about Aspen Alley hike on the full trail guide here.
Sept 15, 2026: Vail
Sept 11, 2026: Nederland
Summit County: Sept 7, 2026
Colorado Fall Hikes You Might Like
More Short Fall Hikes in Colorado I’ve Done That’s Worth Your Time
Colorado Travel Guides
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.