Bright and golden: The Albuquerque area offers plenty of places to catch the changing fall colors

After a summer that featured record-setting high temperatures, many New Mexicans will be eagerly anticipating the change in seasons.

One of the perks of cooler temperatures is the accompanying shift in colors throughout the Land of Enchantment. The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park gives visitors a chance to observe cottonwoods in all their glory.

“The cottonwood leaves are the show in the bosque,” said Levi Dean, superintendent of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. “We see the first cottonwood leaves turning yellow in September, (and) the yellow peaks in mid to late October. The color (is) gone by mid-November.”

While yellow is the dominant color, one can see other hues as well.

“Walking through the cottonwoods in the bosque is similar to walking through the aspens in the mountains — everything is bright and golden,” Dean said. “Three-leaf sumac shrubs, thicket creeper vine and yerba mansa plants show some red (and) orange color in the early to mid-fall as well.”

Meanwhile, the Paseo del Bosque as a whole is a good resource for observing fall colors, according to bosque project coordinator Dustin Chavez-Davis.

“I think that is one of the major highlights that we have in the city,” Chavez-Davis said. “Really, any of the trails in the bosque itself. The Paseo del Bosque is kind of the longest, and it’s paved, so it’s the most accessible for bicycles. It kind of gives you the whole length of the river through the Metro area.”

The Paseo del Bosque, with its many access points, is tried-and-true, but Chavez-Davis also points to one of Open Space’s newest acquisitions, the San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs, as an underrated spot for fall scenery. That area is located adjacent to the West Side bosque.

“It’s currently undergoing some planning efforts, but there is still access there,” he said. “You’re up to get a bird’s-eye view of the river and the forest there, so it’s a definitely good spot to see trees, leaves changing.”

Those are just a few of the options available through Open Space. According to Chavez-Davis, the Aldo Leopold Forest, Pat Baca Open Space, Petroglyph National Monument, Elena Gallegos Open Space and the Rio Grande Valley State Park are just some other areas that provide worthwhile fall scenery.

Those seeking a different perspective regarding the fall colors might consider a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway, a 2.7-mile ride that ends at the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains. During the fall season, it’s virtually a given that there will be spectacular views to be had, either while on the ride, from the observation deck at the top or even during a dining experience at TEN 3 restaurant.

“You can experience the beauty of fall like never before as you ascend to new heights at the Sandia Peak Tramway,” read a statement from Devan Doxtator and Jessica Fox, from the tram marketing department. “As the leaves transform into a beautiful tapestry of autumn hues, the tram is a great vantage point to experience the fall foliage and various shades of yellow, orange, red and brown. You are treated to panoramic views covered in colors of the season.”

Another way to witness the fall colors is to traverse one of the state’s scenic byways. This includes the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway, which is part of the Cibola National Forest, and according to NewMexico.org, sits “a mile above the surrounding countryside and two-miles above sea level.” Additionally, the Land of Enchantment has several national forests and grasslands that are worth the drive.

“National forests and grasslands have many fall color areas to view throughout New Mexico to include the Carson, Santa Fe, Gila, Lincoln and Cibola national forests,” said Patricia E. Johnson, public affairs officer for the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

“The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands has four mountain districts within a short drive of Albuquerque that offer a variety of landscapes to view fall colors.”

Johnson also recommends the Fourth of July Canyon, located in the northern Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District.

“Visitors flock annually to the Fourth of July Canyon for fall colors as the forest becomes ablaze with red, yellow and orange as from the hardwood maple and oak trees,” Johnson said.