re: Colorado Mountain Town Mid September

What are you driving?

I'm assuming you got some AWD vehicle. There's a number of trailheads off Vail Pass and on the Shrine Pass road. Pretty quick drive over there from Copper.

Also, going north on CO 91 there is the Mayflower Gulch trailhead like 2/3-3/4 of the way to the top of Fremont Pass. Just a little farther up is another trail by a hell of a scenic lake surrounded by wall of rock.

Easy drive out from Copper. I'd ask around the resort and your bartenders for other ideas in Summit.

This is covering you for some quick hike options. Research and see specific trails if need be and if it's longer than you want...just don't go all the way.

I'll give you some Elbert advice and some other bigger weekend hike/drive options in another post.