Fall above all on the North Crest Trail

The trail begins yellow, black and gray.

Mud from Friday’s full-day rain. Cool limestone. Fallen aspen leaves.

A side path takes us to the edge of the world. Colors explode. Deep blue sky, green spruce and fir, yellow aspens glowing in canyons far below. Cold wind steals our breath.

These side paths tangle for miles, lift us away from the North Crest Trail, onto a long limestone ridge. Parallel to The Needle, a giant cave-pocked thumb of rock that, today, looks dusty pink.

We pass a group of mountain climbers on a broad rock ledge. Two miles later, when we look back from high above, they’re still there, tiny, presumably taking turns belaying.

Fall brings such luxury. We soak up sun on a rock outcrop for nearly an hour, unconcerned about outracing thunderstorms or brutal summer afternoon heat. Creatures begin to forget we’re there and return to business. Stellar’s jays hop among low tree branches.

At the highest point we reach, ladybugs swarm the limestone, and deer scat dots it.

When we return on the North Crest Trail, the sun’s higher in the sky, bringing the trail and cliff-edge worlds together. Blue and yellow slice through the tall, dark forest tunnel.

One last peek at a side overlook. Yellow aspens flame against a green mountain.

From a cold, dark morning, a world of color and light.

Hike length: 5.6 miles

Difficulty: moderate

Trail traffic: light

Wildlife spotted/heard: crows, mega-raven, vultures, hawks, dark-eyed juncos, nuthatches, blue jays, Stellar’s jays, grasshoppers, squirrels