DURANGO, CO--(Marketwired - Aug 6, 2013) - Mother Nature exhibits her finest color display when she paints the mountains and valleys with the gold, yellow and red hues of autumn. Durango offers many ways to view the changing leaves and celebrate the arrival of fall. www.durango.org
Best time for Leaf Peeping: Historically color changes begin at 12,000 feet in the mid-September and peak the end of September/first week of October. In town, peak color is mid-October.
San Juan National Forest
Track color viewing areas in the San Juan National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan or call: 970 247-4874.
San Juan Skyway
The 236-mile, breathtaking loop through the San Juan Mountains is designated as an All-American Road, a National Forest Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic & Historical Byway. The San Juan Skyway, that includes the Million Dollar Highway, is one of the most beautiful drives in America; a place "where the road touches the sky."
Annual Fall Photo Train--Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
September 27 - 29, 2013
Join amateur and professional photographers to photograph the train with a backdrop of high peaks, autumn color, and the Animas River. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers regular fall train service to the historic mining town of Silverton through October 28.
Fall Getaway at Durango Mountain Resort
Durango Mountain Resort provides a breathtaking backdrop of brilliant colors for your hike, bike outing or pure relaxation. Resort summer activities are open weekends August 24 through September 29. Call 800-525-0892
Fall Foliage Ziplining
Step off the ground and into the tree canopies. Soaring® Tree Top Adventures is the largest, safest zipline tour available in the world. With 27 unique spans through beautiful mountain scenery, across golden Aspen groves, through old growth Ponderosa forests and criss-crossing the Animas River.
Horseback ride a color trail
Hailed as "truly the most beautiful trail in this area and elevation." Ride at 8,200 feet elevation in an Aspen-Oak habitat with talus-covered slopes, and near old mining claims. Views of Hermosa Cliffs painted in their fall splendor make this a ride to remember.
Bike the painted landscape
From easy to extreme, multi-use trails offer color viewing from the infamous Colorado Trail or other trails in the extensive Trails2000 system. Professional cyclist Tom Danielson recommends his favorite mountain biking trails: Hermosa Creek Trail, Colorado Trail, Kennebec Pass and Horse.
Float in Color
Experience spectacular fall colors rafting through Durango's Lower Animas River. Then explore the mountains in a custom tour vehicle and discover the sparkling gold hues of Aspens, cascading waterfalls, tumbling creeks, and remnants of ghost towns as you summit to 13,000 feet.
Motorcycle: Color around every curve
Enjoy the turns en route to Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway; continue on to Ouray over the majestic Red Mountain pass. Join the local motorcycle club for their annual fall ride or discover your own route.
Fall into the beauty of Southwestern Colorado
Take in Mother Nature's full color palate of beauty. Visit www.durango.org for trip planning information and our fall festivals and events.
About the Durango Area Tourism Office
The Durango Area Tourism Office is a not-for-profit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County's multitude of tourism attractions, events and services. For more information, visit www.durango.org or call (970) 247-3500.
Documents and/or Photos available for this release:
Fall in the Mountains
D&SNGRR Fall
Aspen on the Trail
To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 358519
Contact Information:
Contact:
Anne Klein
Public Relations Consultant
Durango Area Tourism Office
Phone: (970) 749-0991
E-Mail: anne@durango.org