Need Travel Recommendations - Colorado

Me | 10/1/10 | Self

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Hey, FRiends. Mrs. POF and I are driving from Twin Falls, ID to Boulder, CO week after next. We are going to visit relatives in Twin and SLC and then have 3-1/2 days to get from SLC to Boulder.

What do you recommend we do in CO? Should we stay on the Western Slope? Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison? Crested Butte? Head more into the Rockies? We love to hike, but probably 6,000 feet tops because we live at sea level in CA.

Ideas on what to see and where to stay would be greatly appreciated. Mrs. POF would like to stay at ski resort towns like Vail or Aspen, but I say "over my dead body." I want to find a ranch or remote resort, rustic but comfortable. What do you say?

[Vince Ferrer]

First off, most things worth seeing or hiking around are above 6000ft. But don't worry, if you are traveling by car you have plenty of time to get acclimated to the altitude, so unless you have health problems, you should be free to enjoy much higher altitudes, at a normal level of activity.

From Idaho, Dinosaur National Monument is within reach at the Utah/Colorado/Wyoming border. Dinosaur is one of the country's greatest places most people never go. Fantastically rugged, and mostly accessible by river raft, it is a set of canyons cut by the Yampa and Green rivers. On the Utah side, there is an ancient hillside protected by a museum with thousands of dinosaur bones exposed on the hillside. And almost from the dinosaur area, there is a dirt road that takes you along a small canyon with dozens of very accessible thousand year old petroglyphs from the Fremont people. The Colorado side, and the northern Colorado/Utah border area has hiking trails and views into the canyons.

Grand Junction, Colorado is the fruit/wine growing region of the state. It also has canyons and a nice drive along the Colorado National Monument. This time of year, and I mean right now, the aspen are turning. There are some aspen around Crested Butte, and the drive along highway 550 to Durango should be good. Also Aspen should have some, which is closer to I-70.

Closer to Boulder, you may still be able to drive across Rocky Mountain National Park, and stay in Estes Park. If you go along I-70, Idaho Springs is worth stopping at, as it is an old mining town.

The weather should still be good this time of year, but it is also time to start being aware of the weather. Days will still be warm, or at most a jacket required, but nights will be cold. Seasonal roads start to be closed, snows can happen, and there is hunting seasons going on. But Sept/Oct is also the best time to visit the state. I'm not trying to discourage you, you just shouldn't drive around foolishly.

[MtnClimber]

The fire was about 10 miles north. The wind was blowing from the SW so the fire was never blowing toward us. Still unnerving though!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Wow...thanks for all the great tips. Now I’ve got to sort through them all and plan an itinerary. Not an easy job.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Thanks, Vince. I’ve got years of experience in the high White Mountains in AZ, the Sierras, the Cascades in OR and WA, the Olympics, the Wind Rivers in WY. I know how quickly things can change this time of year. I always travel prepared for the worst.

The first drought I experience in California was in the mid 70s right after I moved here. I remember hiking up to the top of Yosemite Falls in January. It was unseasonably mild, daytime highs in 70s. I left before dawn and arrived at the top not that long after sunrise about 3 hours later. I had winter gear with me, heavy clothes, etc even for a 5 hour day hike. There were people coming up as I was going down who were dressed in sandals, no jackets, no water. I was amazed at their foolishness. They probably thought I was the kook with my winter gear when the weather was so ridiculously hot for January.

I was reading the National Park Service site about Dinosaur National Monument last night. The old visitor center which protects the wall with the fossils is unfortunately closed right now. I was disappointed to learn that. I’ve never been to that monument and would definitely like to visit.

[mountn man]

Have to agree with redlegplanner, Estes Park.

EVERY time I go to Colorado I go to Estes and RMNP. Aspens might have lost their leaves by the time you go, but it will still be gorgeous. Elk will probably be bugling, which is quite awesome to hear. Drive Fall River Road if its open. Its quite the drive.

RMNP

Down by Colorado Springs there is of course Pikes Peak. Take the cog railway up. Also check out Cave Of The Winds. And don't miss Garden Of The Gods.

Also down towards Colorado Springs, in Cañon City is the Royal Gorge Railroad. A great trip to take with family and/or friends. Ride the Vista Dome car. Get a burger (they're actually pretty good) and watch the scenery go by.

After the railroad, get a shake or malt across from the rr depot. Then go drive Skyline drive. A single lane road, built by the prisoners at the prison, going over and atop a razorback mountain ridge.

[celtic gal]

Check out Fairplay..there is a reconstructed old Colorado mining town there..check out the dentist office and those tools!

[jnaujok]

Someone mentioned the Cliff House in Manitou, which is a great place to spend a night (although I wasn’t that impressed with the restaurant when we went there for our anniversary a couple of years ago — I’d go to the Mona Lisa (fondue), The Warehouse, or the Craftwood Inn instead.)

I am surprised that no one has mention Garden of the Gods yet, which admittedly is a little touristy (although not so much at this time of the year) and is absolutely criss-crossed with hiking trails, all at about 6000 feet.

Not to mention, you can also tour the Air Force Academy just a bit north on I-25. And in Colorado Springs, you can feel free to wear your right-wing buttons with pride.

Basically, except for the Eastern plains, you can’t go wrong with any of the places in Colorado. You’ll need a lot more than three days to explore all of the possibilities.

[mountn man]

The farther north you go, the lower the tree line, allowing for more alpine features at lower elevations.

(Great pic.)

[mountn man]

From what I understand, that is actually the original part of Fairplay (maybe just fixed up a little)

[jnaujok]

Part of the fun of going to the top of Pikes Peak as a local is laughing at all the train riders who find out that on a 80 degree day, the top of the mountain is at 32 degrees or colder... and they’re in shorts and t-shirts.

[mountn man]

I am surprised that no one has mention Garden of the Gods yet, which admittedly is a little touristy (although not so much at this time of the year) and is absolutely criss-crossed with hiking trails, all at about 6000 feet.

Beat you by 7 minutes.

[catnipman]

If you stay in Boulder, be sure to eat at Chez Thuy. Reasonably priced, and delicious dishes prepared with fresh ingredients.

[mountn man]

My first time at RMNP it was mid 90’s in Denver. Low -mid 80’s in Estes. A friend of mine and I went for a hike up to Fern Lake. I had a day pack with, and she didn’t understand why. By the time we had gotten to the lake, the temp had dropped to 40, and I was pulling out fleeces and light gloves. (I had been in the mountains before, and always expect the worst.)

[mountn man]

Oops, forgot. I’ve never been there YET, but I’ve heard Casa Bonita in the Denver Area has to be experienced.

[mountn man]

If your going to spend som time in Idaho and SLC, you'll probably already start to get acclimated to the elev. Usually takes me about a full week to get used to the elev and able to push myself more. (coming from 600')

SLC is at 4200' and Twin Falls 4700', so hikes at 6000'-7000' won't be too much.

[mountn man]

If in Idaho Springs, stop and get a pizza at BeauJos. They call them mountain pies. They’re pretty good...for pizza outside of Chicago. BeauJos in in the old assayers building. Kinda a cool place. Some nice shops to browse there to.

[mountn man]

Smokin' Daves BBQ. Yes it is good.

If you stay in Estes, have breakfast at Big Horn Restaurant at the west end of town.

[ModelBreaker]

“Don’t forget Casa Bonita! :)”

LOL. The highpoint of the trip.

[cherry]

hubby and I are celebrating our 35 th by going over to Deadwood South Dakota, then head over to yellowstone and Jackson Hole and hope to take the Beartooth Highway...

[Vince Ferrer]

I was reading the National Park Service site about Dinosaur National Monument last night. The old visitor center which protects the wall with the fossils is unfortunately closed right now. I was disappointed to learn that. I’ve never been to that monument and would definitely like to visit.

It is worth it to wait until the fossil center opens up, but if you do go, don't limit yourself to the fossil center. Most people don't make it there ever, and then 99% of the people who do make it just go see the fossils at the edge of the park and leave after an hour.

What is behind the fossils is 200,000 acres of rugged canyons that are only surpassed in scale by the Grand Canyon, and you will be humbled by a corresponding degree. I have been a photographer for many years in Colorado. I have dragged a medium format camera and equipment in a backpack weighing 80 pounds all over the state. But at Dinosaur I came to realize the futility of trying to take a photograph that can convey the vasteness of where I was at. Some things simply can't be expressed in photographs, people just have to go there.