My deck facing the wild forest is my favorite place in East Texas. In the fall, when oak and hickory trees turn gold, I often reflect on amazing past fall seasonal road trips. As a travel writer, my goal is to partake each year in a major road trip outside of Texas. I usually spend a month or more during the fall season in a different state each year. In 2016, it was Colorado.
Sadly, I did not own an RV at the time; however, my dog Tipper and I tent camped in campgrounds when weather permitted. While staying at the fascinating Great Sand Dunes National Park, the wind was so strong and cold that we ended up sleeping in the car. This area was also bear country and was the catalyst for a future RV.
I chose a route through the heart of Colorado along the Rocky Mountain range using the Continental Divide as our guide. The spine of the Rocky Mountain range, often called the Great Divide, has the highest point in the North American Continental Divide — Gray’s Peak, meandering up to 14,278 feet above sea level.
After a couple of weeks in New Mexico, we entered southern Colorado via State Highway 12 in early October, with Rocky Mountain National Park as our final destination before heading back to Texas. The road through the valley between mountains, scattered trees turning red and gold, hinted at one of the most spectacular fall-color trips I ever took.
As always with a good plan, the unplanned detours were highlights of the trip.
Detour #1 Trinidad Lake State Park
The first campground we passed not on my radar was Trinidad Lake State Park. We already had reservations at Great Sand Dunes National Park, so we made a nice break stop and hiked along a turquoise lake. All the campsites have a view of this stunning lake. This park is a wonderful, serene, and quiet place to stay awhile and explore the area.
Detour #2 St. Elmo Ghost Town
Eye-popping autumn colors engulfed us as we cruised through Pike-San Isabel National Forest. On the side of the road, at no particular place, was a little sign about a ghost town. No way could I pass this up, so we make a left turn on what seems like an abandoned road. Along this lonely road were the most spectacular fall colors on the whole trip, crawling up mountains as we followed a pristine river.
At the very end of the road, frozen in the 1880 era, was St. Elmo, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in America. St. Elmo’s founders were drawn to the area with dreams of riches of gold and silver. By 1890, the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad lines ran through the town. The town prospered, supporting a general store, town hall, sawmill, five hotels, church, newspaper and telegraph office, school, and, of course, a saloon — all still standing.
When the mining industry declined, trains stopped running, and people moved away. A few structures remain, proudly preserving the abandoned buildings and a quiet cemetery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the town is also popular with hikers aiming for a trailhead at the end of town. The General Store was open, offering strong coffee and snacks. Within walking distance is the Iron City Campground — located next to the cemetery. It’s a beautiful campground and on my bucket list to someday return.
Detour #3 Tennessee Pass
Continuing north through the Sawatch Range, the Great Divide stands tall on our left. The Elk Mountains and Pike-San Isabel National Forest are ablaze with soaring white and gold Aspens straddling the road. Soon, we see a sign indicating where Tennessee Pass, at 10,424 feet, crosses paths with the Great Divide. This time, Tipper insists on a detour, so we turn around, stop, and stretch our legs while she pees on the Divide’s invisible dotted line.
Detour #4 Red Cliff
One day, tumbling dark gray clouds threatening a storm blocked the sun and filled the sky. We didn’t dally long and searched for a hotel. Soon after crossing a very impressive green bridge, we see a small sign with the words historic inn written in red letters. Screeching to a stop, I turn down a steep, curvy road, aiming deep into the forest to the small village of Red Cliff.
Founded in 1879 during the Colorado Silver Boom, Red Cliff is surrounded by rugged rose quartzite cliffs. The village, concealed below the highway in a pristine wilderness, has kept its charming historic character. The Green Bridge Inn, fashioned like an old river paddleboat, is our first stop. It has rooms beautifully paneled with pine. Plus, the best news — they accept dogs. Red Cliff is a popular winter sports destination for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, plus a bicycling and fishing mecca during the summer.
Traveling with a furry friend, but you aren’t in your RV? Many places along the Great Divide, like Green Bridge Inn welcome dogs.
Never Underestimate a Small Road Sign
The next morning, after a nice walk along a gurgling creek near the hotel, we aimed for Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though we had many more adventurers on that glorious fall trip, the most inspiring were those not planned.
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Soon after retirement, she found her best job ever, freelance writing. Her specialty in marketing and public relations shaped her skills which led nicely into a writing business. Ann loves to tell her amazing stories of the places she saw and people she met along the way. As a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), her suitcase is always packed ready to zoom to interesting places to do crazy things and tell her story – often taking her dog Tipper along for the ride. She never misses an opportunity to hike a hill, watch a bird, dance with the locals, ride a motorcycle, photograph a sunset or kayak down a river. Most of her articles can be found with the following publications: Family RVing (FMCA membership magazine); TravelAwaits.com; Inspired 55+ (Canada), EastWestNews Service; Lifestyles Magazine, InMagazine, The Tyler Loop, Texas Living, The City Paper Bogota and Bird Watcher’s Digest. Articles are usually found in the travel, art, history or cultural sections. Ann posts her adventures on a Facebook group page titled Green Gypsy Travel. Her website is under construction but in the meantime, she can be reached at [email protected]. |
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