It takes about 45 minutes to drive north on an uber scenic but bumpy dirt road to Piney River Ranch, a 40-acre Rocky Mountain retreat nestled in the Gore Range. You can rent a cabin or go to the ranch on a day trip. If you’re a hiker, take the trail to Piney River Falls. The hike takes you past the lake as it meanders across the valley and through aspen groves and pine forest to the cascading falls. Because of the plethora of golden aspens in the fall, it’s popular so go early. The hike is six miles round trip. After the hike, enjoy lunch with a view. You can bring your own picnic or grab something at the Lodge Restaurant and Bar. You can also enjoy paddling around the lake by renting a canoe or paddleboard. The ranch does close for the season in early October, but you can still do the hike to the falls and enjoy the picturesque valley.
For a unique hiking excursion, Paragon Guides offers “Take a Llama to Lunch” hikes. This was one hike that had me laughing from start to finish as I hiked with Handies and my guide Jim hiked with Franklin. Llamas are nimble and gentle pack animals making them excellent hiking companions. We went on Pitkin Trail. The trailhead is easy to get to in East Vail. With dense aspen groves and grassy meadows, it’s an excellent fall hike made extra special with a llama hiking buddy. As Jim and I hiked along with Franklin and Handies, I learned about the animals, including how they “speak” to each other by humming. We covered about seven miles on our out-and-back hike, that included a top-notch picnic. Going with a guide is the best way to see secret stashes of fall colors and get away from any leaf-peeping crowds. Hiking with a llama makes it even more memorable during Vail’s most colorful season.x:1766224
AAA
Start Your Next Trip with AAA
AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during and after your vacation! Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the
AAA Discounts & Rewards® program as well as recommendations for
AAA Diamond-designated hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Let AAA provide the rest of your travel needs with
AAA Travel Guides,
TourBooks®, access to travel agents and counselors and travel insurance. Your next vacation starts with AAA — your complete travel solution. Visit
AAA.com/Travel.