How to Enjoy Aspen's Off-Season This Fall
Summer crowds have thinned, the lifts are still weeks from spinning, and for a short stretch the whole valley turns gold. Locals call it off-season. Many of us think of it as the best time of year to be here. Trailheads have open parking spots, dinner reservations are easier to get, and the town settles into a slower rhythm that reminds you why people fall for Aspen in the first place.
Here's how to make the most of it before the snow arrives.
Chase the Color: American Lake and Cathedral Lake
When the aspens turn, Castle Creek Road is where locals head. Two of the valley's best fall hikes start about ten miles up the road from the roundabout, just a few minutes apart.
American Lake is the classic leaf-peeping hike. The trail is roughly 6.5 miles round trip with about 2,000 feet of climbing, and the first stretch switchbacks up through a tall aspen forest before giving way to spruce and fir. The lake sits near treeline in a narrow, high-walled basin, and it's a quiet spot for lunch before heading back down through the gold.
Cathedral Lake is a little shorter with a similar climb, which makes it steeper. The trail is more open than American Lake and climbs through treeline to a dramatic alpine basin framed by jagged peaks. If you only have time for one, pick American Lake for the color and Cathedral for the views.
Both trailheads have limited parking, so go early or on a weekday. Dogs are welcome on leash. On the drive home, stop at the Ashcroft ghost town, a preserved silver-mining settlement just up the road.
Hike Over to Crested Butte Before the Snow Falls
The hike from Aspen to Crested Butte over West Maroon Pass is one of the great days in Colorado, and early fall is one of the best times to do it. The route runs about 11 miles one way, starting at Maroon Lake, passing Crater Lake, and topping out near 12,500 feet at West Maroon Pass before dropping to the Schofield Park trailhead on the Crested Butte side. In late September the aspen groves near the start glow gold, and the trail is far quieter than it is in July.
A little planning goes a long way:
Getting to the start. The Maroon Bells shuttle from Aspen Highlands runs through October 18 this year, and reservations are required. Book at visitmaroonbells.com.
Getting picked up. Book a ride from the Schofield Park trailhead into Crested Butte through Dolly's Mountain Shuttle or Alpine Express. Both can also arrange a ride back to Aspen.
Timing. Start early and aim to be over the pass by noon.
Layers. High-country weather turns quickly, and by October snow is a real possibility at the pass. Pack extra layers, food and water.
Spend the night in Crested Butte, have a good dinner, and either hike back the next day or ride home. For a shorter version, hike from Maroon Lake to the top of the pass and back.
Drive Independence Pass While You Still Can
Highway 82 over Independence Pass is the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet. In fall, the lower switchbacks outside of town are lined with aspens, and the drive up is worth it for the color alone.
Stop at the Independence ghost town, an 1879 mining settlement just below the summit, then continue to the top for views of the Divide. If you have time, drop down the other side toward Twin Lakes before turning around.
The pass closes for the winter once the snow starts to stick, and the date changes every year. It usually closes sometime between late October and mid-November. Last year it closed on November 17. Check cotrip.org before you go, and note that vehicles 35 feet or longer aren't allowed on the pass.
Aspen Restaurant Week Autumn: September 21 to 27
This year Aspen gets its first official fall Restaurant Week. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association is hosting Aspen Restaurant Week Autumn from September 21 to 27, with multi-course prix fixe menus built around fall flavors at restaurants across town.
It's a good excuse to finally try the spot you've been meaning to get to, or to go back to an old favorite at a better price. Menus and reservations are at aspenchamber.org/restaurant-week. Book early, since the best tables will go fast.
A Good Season to Look at Homes, Too
Fall is also one of the smartest times to look at property in Aspen. Showings are easier to schedule, the town is quiet, and you get to see a home and its neighborhood the way locals do. Buyers who find the right place now can often close before ski season starts.
We're also seeing a lot of price reductions right now. Sellers who listed over the summer are adjusting ahead of winter, and there's more room to negotiate than there will be once the holidays bring buyers back to town. If you've had your eye on a property, the weeks before buying season picks up again this winter are a great window to get a great deal done.
If you're thinking about making Aspen home, or want to spend more of your off-seasons here, we'd love to help. Reach out anytime.