Hello travellers!!
The air is crisp, the hills are golden, our lobby smells of apple cider... fall is definitely upon us! For those of you who love the cozy season- look no further than little Evergreen to soak in all the best of it.
Happenings in town:
J.P. Total pumpkin patch (All month)
We are fortunate to have as our neighbors easily one of the best small-town destinations for an autumn afternoon. All through October, J.P. Total, located a short walk down the creek from Highland Haven, offers pumpkins of all sizes for carving and baking. While there, see what yummy goods they have in their main office, such as ready-to-bake pies (a few of our rooms have ovens should you wish to indulge), preserves, and always more. I highly recommend the apple butter!
Halloween Walk (10/31)
Celebrating spooky season in Evergreen is always best at the downtown Halloween walk! This beloved tradition, where locals take their ghouls out for an afternoon of family-friendly fun, is just as enjoyable for tourists hoping for some small-town charm!
Hang outs in Town
Fall is also a wonderful time to embrace Evergreen's quaint coffee shops. Muddy Buck, located along the historic "boardwalk", offers an old-timey feel with a view from it's patio of the changing willows along Bear Creek. It's barely even a walk from us, too!
Natural Events:
Fall Foliage
Autumn in Evergreen is made spectacular by the fleeting but majestic leaf display, which paints our mountains in gilded hues, and depending on the year, with complementary fiery reds. It's a sight wedding couples and leaf peepers alike seek, so when is the best time to see it? This varies somewhat from year to year, but for this one, it looks as if the first half of the month will carry the showiest punch. Usually in the latter half of October, the temperature drops and winter's first significant snow falls.
I have two favorite leaf-peeping spots that really show off the breathtaking landscapes you only find in a Rocky Mountain autumn. Maxwell falls, a long, winding trail that leads to stunning cliff views of a valley, is perfect for those seeking an adventurous hike. The drive up to Echo lake is perfect for the lazier leaf peeper, with many spots to pull over and wander or simply sit and be awe-stricken by the towering continental divide spilling over with aspens.
Elk out and about
Another grand happening in nature is the famous (or infamous) elk rut. Our antlered neighbors congregate in great heards, often headed by a massive male who screeches a loud, distinctive bugle call. A magnificent sight it is, but one best admired from a safe distance. In the middle of nature's lovefest, if you're not a mate, you're a rival, and trust me when I say that you don't want to be either. Just two Octobers ago, we had a group of fourty or so of them set up shop on our main lawn, wowing onlookers, but also giving some close-call encounters to over-eager tourists wanting a photo op. A good general rule is to hold your thumb up arm's length from you. If the critter in question is any bigger than a thumbs up to your eyes, put some more space between you two.
How to prepare for your October trip
Regardless of when you may visit us this month, layers are highly recommended. Temperatures can range from summery to wintry within less than 24 hours, and responding to these shifts readily will help you make the most of your time here.
As a lifelong Evergreen resident, my hope is to share with our guests what makes my hometown so special. Going forward, this will be a monthly series of posts dedicated to doing such with the changing seasons.
To all of our wonderful current and future guests, we wish you all the best our mountain home can offer you this fall 🍂
