09/04/2026
Every fall, the mountains around Leadville begin a transformation that feels familiar, and somehow still takes us by surprise.
The Quaking Aspen, (Populus tremuloides), is one of Colorado’s most recognizable trees. And that famous gold isn’t simply a new color appearing as autumn arrives. It’s been hiding there all summer.
Through spring and summer, aspen leaves are filled with chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows the tree to capture sunlight and produce energy. As our days grow shorter, chlorophyll production slows and the green begins to disappear, revealing the yellow and golden pigments beneath. Occasionally, aspens produce brilliant oranges and reds too! One reason neighboring groves can look completely different from one another.
And then there’s the “quaking.”
Aspen leaves grow on flattened stems called petioles. That unusual shape allows the leaves to twist and flutter in even the slightest breeze, filling the mountainsides with that unmistakable shimmer, and giving the Quaking Aspen its name.
Maybe that’s part of why fall in the Rockies feels so nostalgic.
The rustle of leaves outside an open train car. Cool air coming down from the mountains. Hillsides that were green only weeks before suddenly washed in gold. A familiar stretch of track looking completely different for just a few short weeks.
These photos are from fall rides over the years, and no two seasons have ever looked quite the same.
That’s the wonderful thing about fall in Leadville.
It comes back every year.
But you only get this version of it once. 🍂🚂
Fall Weekends are already booking fast, and peak season is just around the corner. We have added 5:30PM rides on Saturday Sept. 12th, 19th and 25th so you can see the Aspens during Golden Hour, bringing a whole new meaning to the term "Colorado Gold"
Don't wait! Book your tickets today at leadvillerailroad.com
