Rocky Mountain Region

Rocky Mountain Region 2006 Fall Color Report

National Fall Color Report Web site

National Fall Color Hotline Report: 1 800-354-4595

The Rocky Mountain Region manages 17 National Forests (NF) and 7 National Grasslands (NG) throughout Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and most of Wyoming.

Throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, hints of things to come can be found in the high country. The careful viewer can spot many of the signs of the impending color change.

With favorable weather conditions, the color should continue to intensify during the next 3 weeks. With even a little more luck from the weather, there could be good color into the second week of October in some areas.

This page will be updated weekly with reports from each of the National Forests in the Rocky Mountain Region. You will be able to get more information about each Forest by clicking on the Forest name below and you will be taken to that Forest's report page. You can click on the link above for the National Fall Color Report Web site to see reports from other parts of the country that are entering their fall color season. To listen to the National Fall Color Hotline Report, click on the link above and follow the directions to hear an audio report of fall color conditions across the country.

Bring a camera! Be prepared for variable driving conditions. Carry some water with you and bring extra clothing and rain-snow gear as temperatures can vary between 30-60 degrees depending on time of day and elevation.

- Click HERE for current information such as road conditions, fire restrictions, safety information, etc.

HUNTING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING!
BE AWARE AND BE VISIBLE WHILE VISITING
THE BACKCOUNTY!

Select a forest below to view their report

COLORADO

Arapaho-Roosevelt NFs and Pawnee NG: Located in north-central Colorado.

Arapaho National Forest

• Mount Evans Scenic Byway (CO Hwy 103 & 5)
• Guanella Pass Road (Clear Creek CR381)

Roosevelt National Forest

• Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway (between Nederland and Estes Park) on Hwys 72 & 7
• Laramie River Road (CR103)
• CO Hwy 14 in Poudre Canyon
• Deadman Road (Laramie CR162) west of Red Feather Lakes

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison NFs: Located in the central and southern Rockies along the Western Slope of Colorado.

The Uncompahgre Plateau has had recent snow which has finished fall color viewing in that area. Some other areas in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF to check out are:

• Last Dollar at Alder Creek
• Ophir/Lizard Head Pass area
• Telluride and surrounding areas
• Norwood/Miramonte Reservoir
• Nucla/Naturita
• Paradox

Pike-San Isabel NFs and Cimarron NG: Located in central to southern Colorado and southwestern Kansas.

Pike National Forest

• Pikes Peak Ranger District (Colorado Springs)
  • Gold Camp Road should be an excellent drive during the next week
• South Park Ranger District (Fairplay)
  • Buffalo Peaks
  • Kenosha Pass (Hwy 285)
  • Horseshoe/Fourmile Road (Park County Road 18)
• South Platte Ranger District
  • The Lake George area
  • Most lower elevation areas still have good color

San Isabel National Forest

• San Carlos Ranger District
  • CO Hwy 165 between McKenzie Junction and San Isabel should have good color for the next week
  • Cordova or Cuchara Pass should provide a great scenic drive

Salida Ranger District

• The District is enjoying great colors at both lower and higher elevations
• Cottonwood Pass, Chalk Creek and St. Elmo areas make for a great scenic drive

Leadville Ranger District

• Most fall color has finished due to severe winter weather

Rio Grande NF: Located in southwestern Colorado.

Conejos Peak Ranger District

• Fall colors have already peaked

Divide Ranger District

• Fall colors have already peaked

Divide Ranger District (Creede)

• Pinos Creek Road - Beaver Creek Road loop in the Del Norte and South Fork area should be good

Routt NF: Located in north-central Colorado.

• Fox Park
• Lake Owen
• Chimney Park
• Platte River Wilderness

San Juan NF: Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado.

Winter weather has taken its toll on fall colors in the San Juan NF:

• Chama, New Mexico along the Cumbres/Toltec Railroad route, valleys and mountains, and along Hwy 17
• Dolores and the Box Canyon into the West Mancos River area
• Old Lime Creek Road

White River NF: Located in central Colorado.

Aspen Ranger District

• Castle Creek Road
• Maroon Bells Scenic Area
• Independence Pass

Blanco Ranger District

• Ripple Creek Pass
• Buford - Newcastle Road

Eagle Ranger District

• Gypsum Creek, Brush Creek and Thomasville Roads
• Coffee Pot Road
• I-70 through Glenwood Canyon

Holy Cross Ranger District

• For a great scenic drive from Minturn - travel south on Hwy 24 to Leadville, from Leadville take Hwy 91 north to Copper Mountain Ski Area and then take I-70 west over Vail Pass back to Minturn

Rifle Ranger District

• Cache Creek area near Battlement Mesa
• Uncle Bob Road
• West Divide and Mamm Creek Roads
• Buford-New Castle and Clinetop Roads
• Coulter Mesa area

KANSAS

Comanche NG: Located in southwestern Kansas.

• No report available

NEBRASKA

Nebraska NF, Samuel R. McKelvie NF and Oglala NG: Located in central and western Nebraska.

Bessey Ranger District :

• There is good color in and around the Bessey Nursery and toward the northern part of the District

Pine Ridge Ranger District

• East and West Ash areas
• Cliffs area - Turn on the Job Corps bypass Road off of Hwy 385, then take Forest Service (FS) Road 717 for about a mile then turn north on FS Road 718 approximately 2 miles, at the junction of 718, 720 and 723. Take FS Road 723 all the way to the Cliffs
• Highway 20 between Crawford and Ft. Robinson

SOUTH DAKOTA

Black Hills NF: Located in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.

Mystic Ranger District

• Deerfield area

Northern Hills Ranger District

• Spearfish Canyon (Highway 14a)
• Cement Ridge Lookout Tower
• Vanocker Canyon (Forest Highway 26)
• Tinton Road (Forest Road 134)
• Custer Peak Lookout Tower

Buffalo Gap NG: Located in central and western South Dakota.

• Some great color can be seen at the French Creek Campground (east of Fairburn, SD)

Fort Pierre NG: Located in central South Dakota.

• The Richland Wildlife area has some good color

WYOMING

Bighorn NF: Located in north-central Wyoming along the Montana border.

• What fall color remains can be found at lower elevations

Black Hills NF: Located in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.

Bearlodge Ranger District

• Redwater Canyon
• Warren Peak

Medicine Bow NF and Thunder Basin NG: Located in central Wyoming.

• Fox Park
• Lake Owen
• Chimney Park
• Platte River Wilderness

Shoshone NF: Located in central Wyoming.

• A trip from Cody to Yellowstone NP on Hwy 14-16-20 is well worth the drive
• Hunter Peak - this area was burned during the 1988 Yellowstone Fire and has beautiful aspen color poking through the rejuvenated terrain. This is visible from the northern section of the Chief Joseph Highway
• Chief Joseph Highway near the Crandall Work Station
• Meeteetse area
• Beartooth area

Other 2006 Fall Color Reports

• Current Report
• September 15, 2006
• September 22, 2006
• October 05, 2006

U.S. Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
740 Simms St
Golden, CO 80401
303-275-5350

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303-275-5367