The Editors The Editors | August 28, 2023 | Lifestyle, Feature, Guides,
Let's face it, winter is on its way—but before the Roaring Fork Valley is blanketed in white, here are 15 ways to make the most of your fall in Aspen.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FESTIVE?
Studt’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
If you’re going for a traditional fall, look no further than Studt’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze. Open for the entire month of October, this one-stop-shop is fun for the whole family. Sure, nothing will get you into the fall spirit more than the pumpkin patch and corn maze—but Studt’s doesn’t stop there. Choose between a hay mountain, petting zoo, zip lines, hayrides and more. Open Tuesday through Sunday, tickets available online, 21 1/2 Road north of Hwy 6&50.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LOCAL?
Aspen Saturday Market
Need a new way to spend your Saturday mornings? Grab your bike and ride down to the Aspen Saturday Farmers' Market. Open until October 8th, the market offers an amazing lineup of Colorado-grown fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, jams and more. This Aspen tradition is a great way to breathe in the early morning air and support your fellow vendors. Open from 8:30 to 2pm, the market makes a U-shape from the corner of Galena & Hopkins Ave to Hunter St & then back again to the intersection of Hyman & Galena
LOOKING TO BREAK A SWEAT?
Smuggler Mountain Trail
Any list of early fall hikes needs to begin with Smuggler Mountain Trail. Open year-round, this trail offers hikers a chance to swap out ski boots for hiking boots. Unlike the daunting switchbacks of the Ute Trail, the Smuggler Mountain Trail offers a gradual 1.4-mile climb up a wide dirt road. Allow yourself 45 minutes to an hour to reach the first lookout point and enjoy an amazing view of town.
The Rim Trail
Located in Snowmass Village, the Rim Trail offers unique access to sprawling meadows and panoramic views. The terrain is suitable for hiking, running and biking. Renowned for the panoramic views of Snowmass, this hike offers steep switchback sections that are guaranteed to leave you winded. In warmer weather the sun beats down hard, so be sure to pack sunscreen for this 7.8-mile hike. Or cut it short and turnaround at Spiral Point, making it a 3-mile journey that still packs in the views.
LOOKING TO GET CREATIVE?
Christopher Martin Gallery
Christopher Martin Gallery exhibits Martin’s signature reverse glass paintings as well as complimentary sculptures and limited edition photographic prints by various artists. Martin draws his inspiration from the natural surroundings of his home in Aspen, creating organic motion and balance with each stroke. His paintings are unique due to the reversed process of working from the foreground to the background with a clear acrylic panel, inverse of a canvas. Using heat, wind, water, brush and pigment, Martin allows depth to continuously form with each layer that he paints. 525 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen
Casterline|Goodman Gallery and Art Advisory
Specializing in post-war and contemporary art, Casterline|Goodman Gallery and Art Advisory utilizes its strong presence in the global art community to acquire and place unique works in private, corporate, and museum collections internationally. The gallery continues to showcase unique paintings, sculptures and drawings by contemporary masters. Working in tandem with its advisory services, Casterline|Goodman Gallery represents a select group of primary artists that are shown in conjunction with established contemporary masters. 611 E. Cooper Ave. & 631 E. Durant Ave., Aspen
LOOKING FOR A GOOD VIEW?
Kodiak Ski Lake
Opposite Highway 82 from Willits Town Center and unbeknownst to most Roaring Fork Valley commuters, a 225-foot-long lake offers water skiers a world-class facility at 6,500 feet. Around 30 members share access to the private ski lake with a slalom course and two competition ski boats, so be sure to search out a local for an invite.
American and Cathedral Lakes
A 3.2-mile hike through aspen groves, dark spruce and open meadows leads to American Lake—small, emerald green and surrounded by scree and cliffs on one side and grassy marshes between picnic-friendly rocks on the other. The 5.6-mile round-trip hike to Cathedral Lake is more exposed and steeper, but awards a bigger, deeper lake in a dramatic alpine (above treeline) setting.
Maroon Bells
The Bells, said to be North America’s most photographed mountains, should be on your IG feed speed dial. Avoid crowds and drive up early to greet the sunrise and see the Bells change color. Stroll around Maroon Lake to catch the Bells’ reflection in the lake.
Photography by: By Jon Tyson/Unsplash
