VERNON, New Jersey — It’s that time of year again, when New Jersey’s unique rural landscape is draped in vivid shades of crimson and gold. Nature’s fall palette awakens the artist in each of us as we search for the perfect spot to view the explosion of colorful foliage.

This year, with the need to protect the environment on the global conscious, leaf peepers are getting out of the car and exploring nature first hand. Here at Mountain Creek, one of the best low-impact ways to catch the splendor of the Sussex Skylands’ autumn colors is to be whisked to the top of mountain in the 8-passenger open-air Cabriolet gondola. In just minutes you’ll enjoy a breathtaking bird-eye view of the entire region, across rolling farmland, to the Appalachian Mountains, High Point Monument and New York State. Tickets are just $1 and available at the base of the lift weekends through October 29th.

Once you reach the summit, you’ll discover plenty of perks to leaving the car behind. Hike the extensive Hamburg mountain trail system, spread out a picnic lunch by one of five lakes, observe the diverse wildlife and enjoy the crisp October air. Thrill-seekers may ride miles of the East coast’s best downhill trails at Diablo Freeride Park, open weekends through the end of the month with full day lift tickets just $32. Bring your mountain bike and enjoy our cross country mountain bike trails for just $10. Visit Mountaincreek.com and click on Diablo Freeride Park for more information.

Another wonderful way to take advantage of the season is our Autumn Harvest Getaway package. Spend the night in a beautiful studio unit at the brand-new Appalachian hotel for as little as $82.50 per person, per night and celebrate the fall season with a day of apple-picking in the colorful rolling hills of Masker Orchards in nearby Warwick, NY. This autumn country weekend package includes one free bag of apples and a jug of legendary Masker’s Cider. Bring your family, friends and your picnic basket, and pick your own apples from more than 20,000 trees with 14 varieties. Plus enjoy weekend family fun with pony rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch and more. Visit mountaincreek.com for all the details or to book your stay.