As the summer dwells on, people begin to grow tired of the sweltering heat and look forward to the cooler temperatures of fall. Who doesn’t love a lower electricity bill from turning off the AC? Fall also offers apple picking, all things pumpkin and — most important — the changing leaves. While the high desert climate of Santa Fe doesn’t provide many trees for this beautiful occurrence to be seen, the mountains of Santa Fe do.
Here are some of the places you should look forward to visiting this fall. Hyde Memorial State Park displays an arrangement of trees, including deciduous aspen trees full of crimson and gold leaves each fall. This place is known for its numerous easy-to-follow hiking trails so close to Santa Fe.
Those looking for a more difficult trail should explore the Waterfall Trail, where you can cross multiple streams to find a little waterfall among the foliage. I personally love the amount of aspen trees that can be seen, something that cannot be found in Santa Fe very often. They can be identified by their smooth, white bark speckled with black.
Because of their adaptiveness to various environments, they are able to grow in most environments, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
If you are not keen on hiking, try the picnic tables that make for a perfect lunch spot. If you drive a little farther up from Hyde Memorial State Park, you will come across the Aspen Vista Trail . It is approximately a 6-mile hike that can be taken all the way to the Santa Fe ski basin.
However, you can turn around whenever you’d like. It is a popular area for hikers, so if you’re looking for something a little more private, I would avoid this one. For peak foliage colors, visit during the month of October.
If you are not enthusiastic about the idea of hiking all the way to the Santa Fe ski basin, you can always drive. For fans of golden aspens, the ski basin is just as exciting in the fall as it is in winter. If you are interested in scenic drives, I would recommend the High Road to Taos .
This scenic four- to seven-hour round trip (including time for stops) travels through scenic landscapes and tiny mountain towns. While there is a more direct route from Santa Fe to Taos, the High Road offers a slower and scenic path between the cities. Some places to stop by on your journey include Ranchos de Taos, Fort Burgwin, Truchas, Cordova and many more little towns with big personalities.
In the middle of August, as you apply more sunscreen to your skin and water those thirsty plants, just keep in mind the promises of fall. Maybe you’ll even fit in time for one of these beautiful scenic places of New Mexico amid your pumpkin carving and apple cider drinking..
