Natural History Wanderings

Rio Grande National Forest reports

Conejos Peak District   September 25, estimate colors are already at 70-80 %, changing fast this year.  2013 Photos   2015 Photos

Divide District              September 27, the upper Rio Grande area, west of Creede, has peaked this past weekend, the leaves are starting to fall           2013 photos    2014 photos   2015 photos

Saguache District          September 29, the leaves in the northern section of the Rio Grande NF have turned about 50%. Estimate 80% this coming weekend.  County Roads NN14 and 41G should be good for those wanting to go check out the leaf changes in the Saguache District.  Also LL56 up to Bonanza.     2013 photos   2014 photos  2015 photos

There will always be pockets of beautiful fall color to be found in the mountains and foothills that surround the San Luis Valley and along the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers.  Generally, the aspen begin to change up river of Wagon Wheel Gap about a week before the mountains that surround the San Luis Valley.  And the aspen in Chama Basin will often turn a week later than those around the valley.

Aspen aren’t the only colorful show in the autumn.  Rust colored Gambel oak mix in with the lower elevation aspen in the northern part of the San Luis Valley, while all the foothills include a plethora of multi-hued shrubs.  Additionally, the leaves of many of the summer wildflowers will turn a variety of colors ranging from dull maroon to vibrant yellows and oranges.  In other words, if you don’t get stuck on looking just for aspen, you can find spectacular fall color no matter where you go in the foothills and mountains of the upper Rio Grande.

Fall Color Updates & Photo Albums – Fall colors usually peak at higher elevations the third weekend of September and the last weekend for the remainder of the forest. Please enjoy photos from past years until we have new photos available.