San Juan National Forest officials estimate that the peak times for viewing fall colors will be this weekend and next week.
In the forest near Mancos and the La Plata Mountains, about 35 percent of trees were starting to show color as of Thursday. From Dolores to Lizard Head Pass, 30 percent of aspens were starting to show their golden leaves, according to the National Forest website.
The forest’s fall color report, updated weekly, is available at http://bit.ly/2dol6Ez.
More updates are available via the San Juan National Forest Twitter account, @SanJuanNF.
Oakbrush changes colors first, followed by aspens and cottonwoods.
The area from Durango to Purgatory is at about 20 percent changed and Molas pass is at 25 percent. Near Pagosa Springs, 20 percent has changed, mostly in the higher elevations.
Near Silverton and Red Mountain Pass, 45 percent was starting to show, and on the San Juan Skyway near Ouray, about 35 percent has changed.
A cold front moved into Southwest Colorado on Friday, and snow fell at higher elevations.
For more information, call the San Juan Public Lands Center at 247-4874.
