One of the best fall color hikes in Crested Butte.

Statistics

2 - 3

hrs

470

m

470

m

9

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

The Horse Park Trail is renowned as one of the best hikes to enjoy fall colors in Crested Butte.

The beautiful golden fall leaves are all thanks to the Kebler Pass aspen grove.

As you hike through this massive aspen grove, not only will you enjoy fantastic fall colors, but you'll also get to experience first-hand one of the world's largest living organisms. According to an article on 5280.com, "The white-barked aspen (populus tremuloides) reproduce through their roots, known as suckers, which send up new chutes that eventually grow up to become trees.

In other words: Their root systems are completely interconnected." While there is some debate about exactly which aspen grove is the largest, the one on Kebler Pass is in the running! Since the entire grove is one interconnected organism, the leaves on all of the aspen trees leaf out at the same time in the spring, and they turn color at the same time in the fall. In addition to hiking beneath the deep forest canopy, just a couple miles after leaving the trailhead you'll reach a stunning overlook that provides gorgeous views of the aspen grove, and mountains in all directions! These viewpoints consist of "two rocky outcroppings on the left side" just shy of the two-mile mark, according to [TravelCrestedButte.com](https://travelcrestedbutte.com/crested-butte-hikes-horse-ranch-park-loop/).

"Take a moment or two to breathe in the 50 mile view.

This is a good turnaround point to keep your hike under 4 miles." To complete the rest of the loop as mapped here, just remember to turn right at every trail junction.