We’re fortunate in Boulder that our county is spread out over a range of elevations. We find brilliant yellow aspens in the high country in late September, then enjoy a mixture of oaks, maples, and other deciduous trees a month later, lower down.
Prime viewing spots for aspens are easy to find, especially north of Nederland along the Peak to Peak Highway. Officially named the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, the route includes portions of Colo. 119, Colo. 72, and Colo. 7, and extends from Black Hawk on the south to Estes Park on the north.
With a little background, you can create your own loop tour and find plenty of fall colors, while picking up some history along the way.
From Boulder, a good place to start is to drive 16 miles up Boulder Canyon to Nederland. The earliest sections of the road were built in 1871, after silver was discovered farther to the west at the former mining town of Caribou. The Nederland area also was known for gold discoveries in nearby Eldora, followed by a tungsten boom during World War I.
If you’re eager to see the aspens and stay on paved roads, go through the round-about in Nederland and head north toward Ward on Colo. 72. In about six miles, park along the highway and look to the west for a massive view of yellow (and some orange) aspens, mixed in with green conifers. Between 1904 and 1919, the steam-powered-narrow-gauge railroad known as the Switzerland Trail of America traversed the facing hillside on its route between Boulder and Eldora.
Continue north past the turn-off (on the right) to Boulder County 52 to Gold Hill. Then, round a couple of sweeping curves and look to the right and far below to see portions of the abandoned railroad grade in the valley. Farther down the road, and also on your right (about 10 miles from Nederland), you’ll come across another expanse of aspens at the townsite of Camp Frances. Trains steamed through there, too, to access several nearby large and prominent gold mines.
In 1.5 miles, you’ll come to a pull-off, along the road, above the mining town of Ward, first settled in 1860. This is a good place to view old mine dumps, but a better view (but no place to park) is on the road to Brainard Lake, just ahead on the left. Timed-entry reservations are required in the recreation area until mid-October, but you can drive a few miles and take in some breathtaking views before the park’s entrance.
Continuing north on Colo. 72, you’ll pass the turn-off to Jamestown (on Overland Road) on the right. Or you can keep going and descend to Peaceful Valley, a resort and former stagecoach stop.
Colo. 72 ends at Colo. 7. Normally, one could return to Boulder by turning right through South St. Vrain Canyon, but parts of this route currently are closed because of road repairs. To continue on the Peak to Peak Highway, turn left and drive 20 miles to Estes Park, then take U.S. 36 to Lyons and Boulder.
Or, for a shorter return to Boulder, turn around and take any of the turn-offs — to Jamestown, Ward, or Gold Hill. Just keep going downhill.
Silvia Pettem writes about Boulder County history. She can be contacted at silviapettem@gmail.com. She and Carol Taylor alternate the “In Retrospect” history column.
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