Fall Color In The Mountains: My Unforgettable Hike Near Leadville, Colorado

Journal entry: September 12, 2024

As the autumn breeze carried the signs of cooler temperatures through the air, I embarked on one of the most beautiful fall hikes near Leadville, Colorado. With my well loved Fujifilm camera in hand, I had initially set out to complete a different hike, but as life so often does, a wrong turn led me to a different trailhead and the right destination after all.

A Walk Through Nature's Canvas

Leadville, Co had been on my radar for years, so there was no doubt when I took off in my new home on wheels (more on that later) that's exactly where I would be heading. Pulling into town that September afternoon I remember immediately thinking, "I could live here." The food, the outdoor adventure and scenery all make for a pretty magical place to hang your hat. And I am someone who is looking for a place to hang my hat.

I spent the first full day hiking around Turquoise Lake getting use to the elevation, with plans of doing a hike around Mount Elbert the next day. I knew I wouldn't have time to do the summit trail, but I'd found a couple of other great looking options on Alltrails I was going to check out.

So off and up I went the next morning with a specific trail in mind. It didn't take long for the magic of fall in Colorado to appear. I was soon met with the most incredible hues of gold and amber mingled with the evergreen backdrop that created a breathtaking panorama at every turn. The mountains had a fresh layer of snow from the chilly night before and I must have stopped a dozen times to breathe it all in and capture it the best I could. At some point during all those stops I got distracted, took a wrong turn and got a little lost.

Capturing Memories Through a Lens

It took no time at all to realize my wrong turn had actually taken me to the right destination after all. I parked at the almost empty trailhaed and didn't make it 10 seconds before I was pulling my camera out to capture the stunning view in front of me. If you've never been to this part of Colorado, you have to go. It just doesn't look real. Once I hit the trail, it felt like I was stopping every 30ft to take another photo and I could not wipe the smile off my face!

As I trekked further down the trail the views just got more and more unbelievable. The trail goes right through an incredible aspen grove! The largest I've ever seen. I wish I had taken more photos. I did get some video, but I'm kicking myself for not trying to capture it better with my camera. What was I thinking? This photo does it no justice at all. Passed the aspen grove I got a great view of Twin Lakes and beyond. I hiked a couple more miles and then had to turn back when an afternoon thunderstorm quickly hit.

I know Leadville and the Twin Lakes area of Colorado are not hidden gems to most people, but they were to me on this first trip. They truly are a place where the beauty of fall and the first signs of winter come alive in a symphony of colors and textures at 10,000ft! This unforgettable hike was a reminder of the magic that awaits those willing to embrace the serendipity of a wrong turn and the places it can lead you. So here is your reminder to lace up your boots, grab your camera, and go get lost enjoying All The Outdoor Things you love.

Thanks for reading, Katie

I will have a few of the images from this hike on my website shortly, where they will be available for purchase. Each photograph is not just an image but a story waiting to be shared, a piece of the natural world captured in its purest form. I invite you to embark on this visual journey with me, to relive the beauty of fall through the lens of my camera.