Tarantulas are about to begin their march across Colorado

An eight-legged phenomenon is returning soon to Colorado.

Visit La Junta calls it the annual "tarantula trek" and "a mating expedition" — the time of year when furry bachelors roam the state's southeast plains in search of burrowed females. Comanche National Grassland is considered prime habitat. And a prime place for viewing.

Just as male tarantulas go searching, so too do masses of camera-wielding people.

The big spiders are most active from mid-September through October, reads the dedicated webpage by Visit La Junta , which also details ideal drives close to town: Highways 109, 350, 10 and rugged, county roads in between.

Tarantulas famously skitter across the roads, most abundantly an hour or so before sunset. Aim for around 6 p.m., Visit La Junta advises.

The males brave traffi