Posted on 9/4/2017 by Alyssa Hubbard

Check Out These 3 Color-Peeping Hikes Near Keystone Resort This Fall

Keystone Aqueduct Trail This is a relatively easy and short trail, making it great to do with young kids or older adults.  Head towards West Keystone to pickup the Keystone Gulch Trailhead. Head up the access road about half a mile and look for the bridge on the right to start your hike.  You'll do a short climb and then turn right when you get to the top where the trail levels out.  You'll overlook much of the West Keystone area, including the River Golf Course and Snake River.  Intermittent views of Buffalo Mountain and the Gore Range come into play as you continue on the trail. Beautiful aspen trees will be peaking in golds during the fall months. The trail soon ends after about a mile and a half at Keystone Ranch Road, where you have the option to continue onto Soda Ridge to your left, Flume Trail straight ahead or just turn around when you're ready. Want to hike here from your condo? Stay anywhere in West Keystone at Wild Irishman, Flying Dutchman, Soda Springs, Starfire or Northstar Condos and you'll have the perfect basecamp for your fall color hikes! [caption id="attachment_26680" align="alignleft" width="660"] Great Views of Keystone and Fall Colors from the Keystone Aqueduct Trail[/caption]   Upper Peru Creek / Peru Creek Road This hike is located just up the road from Keystone off of Montezuma Road.  It is another easy trail that is about 6 miles that follows along the Peru Creek.  Head down Montezuma road about 4.6 miles and look for the parking area on the left side of the road where the trailhead is located.  You can park here, or if you have a 4WD vehicle, you can drive down the road another 4 and a half miles to begin the hike to Upper Peru Creek and Horseshoe Basin with multiple historic mine sites along the way.  If you can't make it to the upper trailhead, you can still walk along this road and enjoy this beautiful area hiking along the service road and end at Shoe Basin Mine.  Other hikes in this area include Warden Gulch, Lenawee Trail and Chihuahua Gulch.   Ptarmigan Trail This hike is great for visitors as it offers unparalleled wide open views of Summit County and particularly, Lake Dillon.  There are a wealth of Aspen Trees on this hike that are absolutely stunning as the leaves begin to change!  Get to the trailhead by heading towards Silverthorne and driving just past the I-70 overpass and turn right onto Rainbow Drive (by the Wendy's). At the stop sign, turn right again onto Tanglewood Drive and then take another right onto Ptarmigan Trail and a final right turn into the trailhead parking area, about a half mile later. This trail climbs about 5 and a half miles, ultimately to the summit of Ptarmigan Peak. If you aren't up to that 3,400 vertical challenge, the first 3 miles of this trail are relatively flat and perfect for a stroll in which you turn around when you've had enough.  You won't believe the views from this trail!   Plan a weekend in the mountains this fall to see the fall colors at their best! Spend the weekend hiking, enjoying the hot tub and enjoying great off-season deals at Summit County restaurants! Many of them offer two for one deals and other specials during late September and October.  Save 30% on fall stays with the promo code 'FALL' when booking online.  Check out our available properties here.   
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