4 Fabulous Fall Foliage Hiking Destinations - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Fall is a favorite time of the year for many to travel; with kids back in school, the weather often ideal, and brilliant autumn colors, why not plan an excursion to make the most of this wonderful season? If you enjoy hiking, consider these four destinations to experience spectacular scenery and fall foliage.

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge spans across southern Washington and northern Oregon from the mouths of the Sandy River to the Deschutes River. It's spectacular year-round, but autumn brings out brilliant colors on the east side of the gorge. Along Coyote Wall trail, hikers will experience a gorgeous kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, and reds.

This is a 6.1-mile loop trail that begins about 70 miles from Portland, easily accessible off SR 14 near the town of Hood River. The parking lot is located at the intersection of Highway 14 and Courtney Road.

For an extra special vacation getaway, consider a stay at Carson Ridge Cabins. These luxury cabins offer an ideal place to come back to after a long hike, with bubbling spa tubs, breathtaking views, and a cozy fireplace.

Leadville, Colorado

Leadville is a beautiful Colorado mountain town filled with Victorian-era buildings, and as the highest incorporated city in the United States, it's surrounded by spectacular mountain peaks that offer many hiking trails through bright yellow and gold aspens in the fall.

Hagerman trail, also known as the Midland trail, is a favorite of many Coloradans. To get there, take West Sixth Street in downtown Leadville to County Road 4 and turn right, following it to County Road 9. At that point, you'll reach Sugarloaf Dam, continuing for 4 more miles to Hagerman Pass Road. Follow the road for 5 miles to the trailhead.

The historic Delaware Hotel is an 1886 Victorian Inn decorated in period furnishings and makes an ideal place to lay your head down at night. You'll find accommodations here much more affordable than the more popular neighboring city of Aspen.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Typically from about mid-September through mid-October, you'll find bright yellow and gold aspen and larch trees covering many of the trails around the park, but you'll want to make sure the region isn't hit with an early snow to avoid disappointment.

A true autumn in northern Montana may be one of the most beautiful sights you'll ever see. Wander down any of the many trails along the Going to the Sun Road. Here, the jagged cliffs tower into the sky, with turquoise-colored glacial rivers even brighter with the contrast of fall's brilliance.

The Great Bear Inn offers comfortable cabins in a wilderness setting right at the edge of the park; when the autumn season hits, the rates per night fall.

Ashton, Idaho

The Teton Scenic Byway and Mesa Falls Scenic Byway wind through the quieter west side of the Teton Mountain Range, where you'll often find more wildlife than people. Amid the stunning scenery filled with the beautiful colors of fall, you'll find pristine waterfalls and rivers as well as elk, deer, bald eagles, and osprey.

The Mesa Falls Subloop is a perfect trail to explore the forests and canyon and begins just north of the town of Ashton. Head east on the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway one half-mile past the Lower Mesa Falls exit to Forest Road 295. Just 1 mile in and you'll reach the parking lot and trailhead.

Consider a stay at the Buffalo Run Campground in Island Park, just north of Ashton off Highway 20. There are a wide variety of camping options available as well as comfortable cabins with full kitchens and reasonable rates.

K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states and many countries worldwide and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.

More From This Contributor:

Top 3 Labor Day Weekend Travel Destinations
Top 5 Family Attractions on the North Olympic Peninsula
Guide to Port Townsend for Outdoor Lovers