A Guide for Fall Foliage Tours in the Western United States

When one thinks about fall foliage in the western United States, many will think of beautiful Aspen, Colorado. Late in September, the leaves of the white-barked aspen trees turn bright gold, contrasting with the green of the coniferous evergreen trees. Perhaps the Rocky Mountains is the most photographed, with prime fall viewing during the last two weeks of September and the first week or two of October.

Could this be a better location for fall foliage viewing than New England? Some people think so. Perhaps you may want to see and judge for yourself. The area is less traveled than during the summer and winter times. It can be a little crowded. However, if you are willing to travel into the remote areas, you might enjoy the scenery in a more solitary fashion. Some very remote areas may only be accessible with four-wheel drive utility vehicles. For more information concerning travel to the Rockies in Colorado, visit www.tripcart.com.

You can catch a train from Antonito, Colorado that will take you on a scenic tour through the Rocky Mountains to Chama, New Mexico. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad specializes in railroad tours any time of the year, but if you schedule your trip towards the end of September, you will be able to view the golden beauty of the aspens as you travel through the Rocky Mountains. They feature a vintage steam locomotive driven train ride that will make you think that you have time traveled back to the old western days. They feature an optional one way bus ticket so that you have an alternative way to return to your original point of departure. For more information, visitgosw.about.com.

Another memorable fall foliage tour in the Western United States can start in Southern California and, by rail, travel north through the entire State of California, then Oregon, and finally ending is Seattle, Washington. It follows a progression of leaves just beginning to change in the southern part of California, to leaves that have changed all the way, finally to the stage where leaves are falling at a faster rate than when you started the trip.

Finally, there is the option to visit the Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Hills of California. While there are 200 miles of paved road in Yosemite, there are more than 800 miles of trails. The park is more than 95 percent wilderness, so you are sure to find plenty of fall foliage and other natural beauty as you hike through that national park.