The Northern Mountains-So Many Choices!
Rocky Mountain National Park Page
A must see if you're in Colorado, you should plan on more than one day.
Cache la Poudre River/State Forest SP/Walden 
How to get there:
| US 287/SH 14, Ft Collins | N40.5815° | W105.0770° |
SH 14 Kayak Viewing |
N40.6912° | W105.5135° |
| Cameron Pass | N40.5208° | W105.8922° |
| SH 14/CR 62 to Agnes Lake | N40.5047° | W105.9098° |
| SH 14/CR 41 State Forest SP | N40.5533° | W106.0372° |
| SH 14 /Main St, Walden | N40.7260° | W106.2822° |
From the intersection of US 287/SH 14 in Ft. Collins, take US 287 north. At mile 9.8 stay left on SH 14, and continue west. Around mile 37 to 38, watch for some pullouts to view the kayakers on the river. This is part of the section along the river called "The Narrows" which contains some class III-V+ rapids. You will need a long lens to get shots of the kayaks on the river below you.
At about mile 68, you will reach Cameron Pass. At mile 70 is an intersection with CR 62 which leads to Agnes Lake. The Nokhu Crags will be visible south of the highway. At mile 79 you will reach CR 41, the entrance to the State Forest SP. There are many roads, 4wd trails, and hiking trails located within the park.
Continuing west on SH 14 you will reach the town of Walden at mile 98.
Photo Ops: 
I discussed the opportunity to get photos of kayakers in the section above. About 11 miles beyond Rustic, you start to encounter expanses of aspen. Sixteen miles from Rustic is spectacular Poudre Falls to the north.
State Forest SP
This park covers 71,000 acres and has many opportunities, here are a few:
CR 62 ends in 1.8 miles at a trailhead to Agnes Lake, a hike of 0.8 miles. It offers spectacular views of the Nokhu Crags and should provide plenty of wildflower opportunities.
The Gould Loop Trail is a relatively flat 6.5 mile roundtrip. The loop trail starts either at the Moose Visitor Center or at Ranger Lakes and parallels the middle fork of the MI River. Great moose habitat along the trail. Again, should be plenty of wildflowers in a good season.
The Montgomery Pass Route is a true 4wd experience. Vehicles will encounter lots of rock, dips and steep conditions. At its end, it's only a short walk to the top of the ridge for spectacular views.
The Mendenhall Route can be used to access the Medicine Bow Trail, Routt NF and the N. Sand Dunes. Spectacular views await at the top of the ridge - you can see all the way to WY and west to Mount Zirkel.
The Walden area is also prime moose habitat. Pick up a brochure in town which will list many of the roads and areas to explore.
Steamboat Springs/Flat Tops Scenic Byway
This is basically the northwest corner of the state, an area I must admit I have not adequately explored.
How to get there:
| US 40/6th St, Steamboat Springs | N40.4846° | W106.8322° |
| Fish Creek Falls parking lot | N40.4819° | W106.7750° |
CR 19/CR 8 |
N40.1984° | W106.9717° |
| Ripple Creek Pass | N40.1119° | W107.2955° |
| SR 13/5th St, Meeker | N40.0366° | W107.9121° |
| Trappers Lake | N40.0313° | W107.2827° |
| Dinosaur NM Visitor's Center | N40.4383° | W109.3075° |
From I-70/I-25 in Denver, Steamboat Springs is 158 miles north and west via I-70, SR 9 and US 40.
To reach Yampa, drive south from US 40/6th St. in Steamboat, 4.2 miles to the intersection of SR 131, turn west and follow this road for about 25 miles.
To reach the Flat Tops Scenic Byway from Steamboat Springs, drive south from US 40/6th St. in Steamboat, 4.2 miles to the intersection of SR 131, turn west and follow this road for about 19.4 miles to the intersection of CR 15 just past the small town of Phippsburg. Turn right or south and stay straight at the junction with CR 19 to reach the Flat Tops Scenic Byway (CR 8) 2.8 miles from SR 131. Turn west on the Byway towards Meeker.
Meeker is about 82 miles west of Yampa following CR 17/CR 8, the Flat Tops Scenic Byway, passing over Dunckley and Ripple Creek Passes.
Dinosaur NM is located about 155 miles west of Steamboat via US 40 and Utah SR 149
Photo Ops:
The photo opportunities in this area are virtually endless with the Medicine Bow-Routt and White River National Forests, many state parks, the Flat Tops Scenic Byway, and the Dinosaur NM spanning the Colorado/Utah border.
Fish Creek Falls, just outside of Steamboat Springs, is worth a visit. From US 40/6th St., go one block NW to Oak St. and turn right and drive about 3 miles east on Fish Creek Road to one of the parking lots. The Falls is a short hike from there.
Click image to enlarge.
The Flat Tops Scenic Byway can have some beautiful fall colors. This area often peaks early, from mid September to the end of the month. Starting at the junction or CR 19/CR 8 the road climbs up to reach 9,763-foot Dunckley Pass at mile13.7. Between Dunckley Pass and Ripple Creek Pass, you will drive through some spectacular aspen and evergreen forests. At mile 20.7, you will reach a junction with CR 19. CR 19 heads north and parallels the East Fork of the Williams Fork River and makes a nice side trip worth exploring for several miles.
Back on the Byway, the road then climbs up to 10,400-foot Ripple Creek Pass at mile 30.9. About two miles below the pass is the turnoff to the left to the Ripple Creek Overlook. The road then descends back down into the aspen dominated valley. About five miles beyond the pass, FR 205 leads to beautiful Trapper Lake. It is about 8 miles to this photogenic lake surrounded by mountains. From near the Trapper Lake turnoff there is also an excellent view of the Snell Creek Valley.
About 8.5 miles from the Ripple Creek summit is a good view of the North Fork of the White River looking west. All along the route now, aspens dominate the scenery. Fifteen miles from the summit the road is paved again and about 3.5 miles from the beginning of the pavement is another good view of the North Fork of the White River. This whole area is elk range, though they are more often seen during the winter. Just before the end of the road in Meeker there is an excellent view overlooking meadows.