If you are a Denver native, then you already know about the amazing Devil’s Head Fire Tower hike in the Front Range. The trailhead is about an hour from town, and the hike itself — a 2.8-mile round trip — will take a couple hours to complete. But whether you’ve done this hike a dozen times or never before, you need to hike it once before winter. As September turns into October, the Devil’s Head Fire Tower route turns into the best view of fall colors near Denver.

Directions

To get to the trailhead, take Highway 85 south from Denver to Sedalia. In Sedalia, turn right on Highway 67 and drive 10 miles. Turn left on Rampart Range Road and go another 9 miles. The trailhead will be on the left. You’ll start seeing gorgeous aspen trees on the way up, especially on Rampart Range Road.

Devil's Head Fire Lookout in Colorado's Front Range

Devil’s Head Fire Lookout

The hike starts with beautiful rock formations and a giant stand of aspen trees — fall colors on full display. As you climb, you’ll pass through meadows and woods and see a scenic “ranger cabin” before reaching the Devil’s Head lookout. One hundred and forty-three red steps lead up to the lookout, which is perched on a giant rock formation and overlooks the Front Range. You’ll pass little stands of aspens on the way up, and once you get to the lookout, you will get the full range of fall color displayed in the landscape below. Yellow aspens meet dark evergreens, blending with varied mountains and towering distant rocks. Trust us, this stunning palette is worth the hike.

Early October is your last chance to see the colorful lookout. Take advantage of September and the first few weeks of October while you can and see the best fall colors in the Denver area.

Photos Courtesy of Locating Silence…