Colorado is definitely a four-season state. The summers can be hot, the winters can be long and the seasons around both can be short and cut unexpectedly short with early snow or a brutally late heat wave.
There’s no escaping that fall is upon us, and October is one of the best months to make lasting autumn memories that can carry you through early sunsets and longer winter nights.
As the leaves change color and begin giving way to winter dormancy, we have a few hikes picked out that will offer the best view of Aurora’s landscape one last (and maybe best) time.
Quincy Reservoir
In Aurora’s southeastern corner, Quincy Reservoir is one of the more popular water attractions in the city and one of the best places to take a walk around the water. The trail around the edge is about 3 miles around, and it’s so nice we suggest doing it twice.
Quincy is a hot spot for anglers, so it’s not uncommon to see a few folks on the lake in their boats looking to drop one last line before winter comes (although there are plenty of ice fishers there too) and makes lakeside a little chilly.
The trail around Quincy is fairly tame, although there’s some dirt and small climbs around the way, but nonetheless, it’s fairly easy for the whole family.
Waterfowl and other birds frequent Quincy Reservoir, so amateur and seasoned ornithologists looking to catch a glimpse of the birds before they go south should definitely bring a pair of binoculars.
It’s worth getting to the reservoir sooner rather than later — the reservoir closes on Oct. 31.
Of course, anyone looking to shave a few holiday pounds off before the season begins, Quincy Reservoir hosts its annual Galloping Goose 5k/10k on Oct. 18. The race is well attended by runners all over the metro area, and you’re welcome to preview the course before running.
Star K Ranch
North Aurora has it’s own gem in the Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch.
Near Airport Boulevard and Smith Road, the nature preserve is part of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway that stretches from north Denver to east Aurora.
The trails are filled with wildlife and deer during the fall season — especially in the mornings — and about 90 different species are easily spotted along the trail.
During the weekends, the trails can be a little crowded with bikers, but it’s a small price to pay for otherwise a secluded experience.
The nature center in Aurora offers a plethora of information about what’s alive on the trail and serves as a hub for all of the activity at the ranch.
There are guided tours all throughout October for hikers looking to learn too, and the trail system is open daily, dawn to dusk.
Cherry Creek Reservoir
The reservoir, just outside Aurora off Parker Road and Hampden Avenue, is a flatlander’s dream hike. The reservoir is incredibly flat to walk through (the only hills are really on the southwest side and even those are tiny) but the area is amazingly diverse.
On a weekday, if you’re so lucky, the park is virtually clear and yours alone. It’s not long after a few bends that the city behind completely disappears and Cherry Creek offers a glimpse of what the area may have looked like to early settlers.
The reservoir is massive and the trail system is miles around, so we don’t suggest taking it all in one go at one time.
There are plenty of entry and exit points along the way, and while the park is free to walk-in, driving there costs a small fee.
Park at the marina and begin on the south side of the water. There are beaches to swim on the other side, but it’s not long that those beaches are hidden behind a copse of trees and the small wetlands start to dominate the landscape.
Bikers regularly cycle through the park, however there is good separation between the roadway they use, and the walkway hikers can use.
There are plenty of opportunities to go off the beaten path and wander into a grove of trees to find the water’s edge.
In addition to the water, there are hills to climb and peer over the dam to look at the city below.
But with fall in full force, there’s plenty to look at inside too.