Herman Gulch in fall is a great hike. It is short and rewards the hiker with great views and some brilliant fall color. I even saw the last vestiges of summer wildflowers. To see columbine blooming in September was quite a shock. Some high clouds were also racing past high above giving some definition to the scene.
The hike ascends through willows which had turned yellow. The ground cover was also brilliant orange and red in spots. There were even a few aspen that had started to turn. It looks like it will be an early fall but one with good color this year in the high country of Colorado.
Herman Gulch is located at mile marker 218 off of I-70 near the Loveland ski area. It is 3.3 miles to the lake but only a couple of miles to hike through most of the meadow areas.
Fall Foliage along the Herman Gulch Trail
Waterfall along the Herman Gulch Trail, CO
Dead wood, Herman Gulch, CO
Paintbrush, Herman Gulch Trail, CO
Columbine, Herman Gulch Trail, CO
Columbine, Herman Gulch Trail