BY TINEY RICCIARDI, @TINEYTRAILSNACKS, CRICCIARDI@DENVERPOST.COM 

Hey Adventurists! 

I’m back in the saddle after two weeks across the pond where I saw lots of castles, drank lots of local libations, and ate lots — and lots — of pastries. It’s good to be home, though, especially with snow now capping mountain peaks. Even better: The countdown to ski season is officially on with a couple of resorts starting snowmaking this week. Winter is coming, that’s for sure, but I hope to soak up fall vibes this weekend by finding a not-so-soggy hike to do with my dogs.

Heads up

After an unseasonably warm start to October, “pumpkin spice latte weather” arrived in Denver. This weekend will be sunny and warmer with highs in the 70s. PSL vibes stick around in the mountains, though, where temps top out in the 60s and drop to near-freezing at night.

Katiera Edward paddles dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Your Weekly 5:

1. Beware: Colorado lakes will be extra witchy this weekend
2. Snowmaking kicks off at Summit County ski resorts
3. Leaf-peeping traffic dropped significantly on Guanella Pass in 2026
4. Colorado’s massive Aspen Acres fire sparked by tree falling on power lines, investigators conclude
5. Inside the fight to save Colorado’s ponderosa pines from beetle kill

Worth Your Time

Pedestrians attend the first day of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Skiers or cinephiles: How the Sundance fest’s move could affect Colorado’s slopes this winter

Get Yourself Outdoors

This sculpture of an Allosaurus is at the main visitor center at Dinosaur Ridge. (Kristen Kidd, Special to The Denver Post)

Follow dinosaur fossil tracks through Colorado and Utah

From Denver to Ouray to Grand Junction and north to Kemmerer, prehistoric fossils are abundant.

MORE HEADLINES

• Coloradans are turning lights off to protect birds as more than 5 million fly over the state some nights amid fall migration
• These 13 California destinations are splendid in the fall
• Nightmare flights and no vouchers: These disruptions now deemed out of airline’s control

DOG OF THE WEEK

"Kodah is four years old, and we adopted him from Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. He loves going hiking and getting into the water," writes owner Donna Pierce.

If you want your pup (or cat) featured, email a photo and short description to cricciardi@denverpost.com.