DRIVE | PINEY RIVER RANCH
The drive up to Piney River Ranch is a 12-mile journey on an improved gravel road just off of Red Sandstone Road, high into the Gore Range and through Vail aspen trees and pines. Once at Piney, enjoy the many available activities, as well as a view of the peaks, stunning lake and surrounding fall colors. Quick tip: Piney River Ranch is open through the last weekend of September. We suggest calling the U.S. Forest Service at 970-827 5715 after Sept. 30 each year for updates on road conditions.
GONDOLA RIDE | VAIL OR LIONSHEAD VILLAGE
With a variety of gondola-ride options in Vail, leaf peeping from up above is easier than ever. Take a ride up Gondola One (out of Vail Village) or Eagle Bahn Gondola (out of Lionshead) for a stunning view of the Gore Range and the aspens.
HIKE | GAME CREEK TRAIL
Cutting across the top of Vail Mountain’s Eagle’s Nest/Eagle Bahn Gondola area is Game Creek Trail, where hikers will find some solitude to take in the beauty of each glimmering aspen grove. From Eagle’s Nest, the hiking trail descends approximately 4 miles into the town of Minturn, which is a short drive from Vail. This descending route is fairly easy, but those up for a challenge can start the trail in Minturn and hike up with an elevation gain of 2,399 vertical feet through the canyon to the top of the ski resort.
BIKE | VAIL MOUNTAIN
Jump on the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain and witness fall colors changing across the landscape. A summer and fall hotspot for mountain biking, Vail’s single-track trails weave, intersect and zip-zag down the mountain just like ski runs in the winter.
With more than 15 on-mountain trails, choose from beginner to expert terrain; or if road cycling is more appealing, cycle the famous Vail Pass (reaching higher than 10,000 feet) to Copper Mountain or continue on to Frisco’s charming downtown.