2022 Leaf Peeping

[DaveLanders]

Drove over Trail Ridge road to Winter Park on Friday 9/16. Very little has turned yet, probably less than 5%. It will probably be at least a week, maybe longer, until the color is any good.

[Sirmanbob]

Noticed some on Guanella Pass closer to the Bierstadt trailhead

[dr_j]

Looks like the state is about one week behind the usual in terms of fall colors.

I went through Summit County and then north to the Flat Tops area southwest of Steamboat. While there is some color change, the Flat Tops are around 5-10 %, Summit County is still mostly green in the trees, although much of the low lying vegetation is starting to turn hues of red. I'll likely swing by Aspen and then down towards the San Juans next weekend and will try to give a report.

[Scott P]

Looks like the state is about one week behind the usual in terms of fall colors.

It seems like it. Just to make sure I wasn't just imagining it, I took a look at some of my photos I took on Grand Mesa at the same time of year than in previous years. There was definitely less color.

[Tony1]

In Summit County and Lake County, I'd say it only really started yesterday. Noticed a difference in vibrancy of color by the end of the day. Almost everything that started to change before now looks dull and dead, though. Fremont Pass comes to mind. It's like you see bits of yellow coming through all the brown.

Willow bushes above treeline are still about half green.

[dwoodward13]

The moisture we get this week could really throw a wrench in things. A lot of moisture can spell doom for the colors in both creating some sort of mold/fungi on the leaves and just knocking leaves off the trees. Here’s hoping not!

Agree with others that we are about 5-10 days behind peak times of the last handful of years.

[E_A_Marcus_949]

Anybody see any fall colors yet? I know it’ll be a little later but curious what’s been seen so far and where!

[nsaladin]

Mosquito Range ~9300’

Rain for the last 24 hours straight, except for a few minutes here and there.

[Codyhill1991]

Independence Pass looks beautiful right now
Top of Guanella changing, bottom still in early phases
Vail pass was still green as of a couple days ago
Beautiful bright yellow at higher elevations in Maroon Snowmass wilderness
Probably a week away from peak along 91 between Copper and Leadville

[rockchalker]

We drove 24 from I-70 to Leadville and back yesterday, some colors but I things are a bit later than usual.

[peter303]

Almost no color in Summit County for sept 17-18. I was there for the film festival, visited Fremont Pass, Leadville, Hoosier Pass, Boreas Pass, barely any color anywhere. Saw a little on Tenmile. So guess peak will be last days of September.

[Embercleave]

Jusrt drove Boulder -> Aspen via I70, lots of pockets starting. Independence pass looked great and some along Fremont pass and in by SIlverthorne. Starting to pop but still another week to peak.