Fall foliage is here! There’s so many ways to soak up the beautiful amber and gold as they sweep through the mountains; you can drive a scenic byway, hike a mountain trail, or even see the Autumn foliage by train. All are fantastic options for connecting with both nature and the spirit of the season. But if you’re looking for full immersion to the wonderful world of Colorado’s fall display, there’s a better way…
Hop on a horse.
At C Lazy U Ranch, fall is one of the best times of year to ride. The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp and cool, and the 8,500 acre landscape comes alive like a Western light show. So, stop watching the aspens from the road, behind a windshield, fighting to get to a packed trailhead, and see why horseback is the perfect way to experience Colorado’s fall colors.
Explore All-Inclusive Activities at C Lazy U
You Actually Have Time to Look Around
For something so breathtaking and serene, the leaf-watching season in Colorado has a funny way of making people a little impatient. The state’s hiking trails flood with people this time of year, many of whom could use a refresher on proper trail etiquette. Unfortunately, unless you know a great secluded spot, scenic hikes can feel more like waiting for photo opportunities at a theme park.
Of course, watching the leaves in a car presents its own issues. You spot a particularly good stretch of trees but can’t slow down due to the long line of vehicles in tow. You try to find an ideal place to pull over… but was that two miles ago? You try to snap a photo and get mostly car doorframe.
Horseback riding solves the problem by slowing you down and putting you deep within the foliage. This way, you get time to notice the little things: sunlight catching the tops of the trees, a hillside shifting from green to gold, the sound of hooves against the trail, or a hawk circling overhead. There’s no need to find a safe pull-off or keep an eye on the road, and you’re free from badly-behaved lookie-lous spoiling the moment. Want to get lost in the scenery? The horse knows the way.
Read More: Horseback Riding Tips to Help Make the Most of Your Riding Vacation
You Can Go Where Cars Can’t
This might be the biggest advantage of seeing fall from horseback: the best views aren’t typically next to a road.
At C Lazy U, with over 8,500 acres to roam, there’s plenty of landscape to take in, from open fields and mountain views to wooded trails where the scenery feels much closer. A horse gives you access to trails, hillsides, meadows, and stretches of the property that could never be accessed by a motorized vehicle. Because of that distinction, the wild spaces you’ll see here feel much more wild, featuring more foliage and more opportunities for native animal sightings.
The Colors Feel Bigger From the Saddle
Being on a horse completely changes your perspective (literally).
In the saddle you’re elevated several feet off the ground, moving through the landscape at a pace that lets you absorb the full view. Instead of seeing a wall of trees from the road, you can look across a meadow, up a slope, and out toward the snow-capped mountains all at once.
Because you aren’t confined to a vehicle, the experience feels fully three-dimensional. You can hear the leaves move in the breeze, smell the pine in the cool mountain air, and feel the change in temperature as the trail moves from open sunlight into a copse of trees. You can actually experience the American West as your ancestors did (without having to worry about where dinner is coming from).
You Get the Kind of Photos You Can’t Plan
Just because we’re talking about a more pastoral leaf-spotting experience doesn’t mean we don’t understand the compulsion to take photos. Yes, that’s a big part of the experience, and yes, you’ll probably take too many pictures — and that’s okay!
In reality, though, the best photo opportunities often present themselves when you aren’t trying to force anything. Your horse rounds a bend and suddenly there’s a hillside glowing behind you. The light hits the trail just right. You look over your shoulder and realize the whole valley is turning gold. These are moments that stay perfectly-formed in your mind, photo or not.
And if you decide you still want to take all those shots, they’re going to have some pretty striking subject matter!
You Don’t Just Ride the Horse. You Get to Know Them.
There’s another reason horseback riding feels so different from simply walking through a striking landscape: you have an experienced partner along for the ride.
At C Lazy U, every rider is paired with their own horse based on factors like riding experience, skill level, and personality. This not only helps our guests feel more comfortable in the saddle, but also allows them to bond with and get to know these incredible animals who are still fundamental to Western life. By the end of your first ride, you’ll already find yourself picking up on your horse’s little quirks and individuality. Some are curious about everything, some are just looking for snacks, and some have big opinions about where the group should go today.
Instead of being carried as in a vehicle, you’ll learn how to communicate with an animal, trust your instincts, and work together along the trail. And when you and your horse make it through a challenging stretch or settle into an easy rhythm, there’s a genuine sense of accomplishment that springs forth.
No prior riding experience is required — you just need to be willing to climb into the saddle and give it a try.
Read More: How to Prepare for a Horseback Riding Vacation
See Fall From the Saddle
There’s nothing wrong with a Colorado scenic drive. But if your idea of seeing fall colors is stopping for two minutes, taking a picture, and then getting back in the car, you’re missing out on This part of the experience.
At C Lazy U, you can spend hours immersed in the changing Rocky Mountain foliage the same way the cowboys and Native Americans did hundreds of years ago. With a colossal stretch of preserved western landscape, a herd of more than 200 horses, the best wranglers in the state, and two horseback rides available to all guests per day, the ranch gives you the opportunity to see the leaves the way we were always meant to. No seatbelts, traffic, or designated overlook required.
Ready to ride into fall?
Contact us with questions, check availability, or learn more about our award-winning horseback riding programs to get started.
