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, winter is beginning to overtake autumn. Most of the forests in our Region are reporting that their fall colors are beginning to drop due to severe winter weather. However, there is still some fall color to be seen, mostly at lower elevations along main roads and valleys.

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 30-50 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.

Roosevelt National Forest

• Boulder Canyon (Hwy 119) between Boulder and Nederland
• Hwy 7 between Lyons and Allenspark

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)
  • Kenosha Pass (Hwy 285) still has some good color
• South Platte Ranger District
  • Most lower elevation areas still have good color

San Isabel National Forest

• Leadville Ranger District
  • Fall color has finished due to severe winter weather
• Salida Ranger District
  • Most lower elevation areas still have good color
• San Carlos Ranger District
  • Cordova or Cuchara Passes should provide a great scenic drive

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 okay

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:

• Main fork of the Dolores River
• Piedra Road up to Piedra Falls
• Mill Creek Road south of Pagosa Springs
• Hwy 550 north of Durango, especially between Haviland Lake and Durango Mountain Resort areas

White River NF: Located in central Colorado.

Aspen Ranger District

• In Castle Creek Road area the leaves are 75% gone

Blanco Ranger District

• Ripple Creek Pass
• Buford - Newcastle Road

Dillon Ranger District

• There might be some color at lower elevations, but the main colors have peaked

Eagle Ranger District

• I-70 through Glenwood Canyon

Holy Cross Ranger District

• There might be some color at lower elevations, but the main colors have peaked

Rifle Ranger District

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

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.

Nebraska NF:

Bessey Ranger District

• Throughout the forest, but the easiest viewing areas are in the picnic areas

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.

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.

• Woody Draws

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 western Wyoming.

Most areas have peaked but some color can be found at lower elevations along main roads and valleys.

Other 2006 Fall Color Reports

• Current Report
• September 15, 2006
• September 22, 2006
• September 28, 2006

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

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Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
303-275-5367