Author Topic: Need advice for planning a vacation in Colorado (Read 4281 times)

Oleg Volk · « **on:** May 10, 2009, 10:37:21 AM »

Later in May, my parents and I are going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of arrival to the United States. We are meeting in Denver International Airport and explore the area where neither of us have been before. The dates are May 22th through 27th (around Memorial Day). We are unfamiliar with the area and could use advice on where to be and what to see.

We would like to rent a cabin or another "household unit" near some natural area suitable for day hikes. Based on our group abilities, we are seeking low difficulty but visually interesting routes. My parents are particularly interested in low elevation natural trails in evergreen forests (as opposed to open spaces) that aren't too steep or rocky.

Among the advice my dad received was to explore Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs area), but we would be game for any suitable destination within two hours drive from the airport. If you live in Colorado or know the area from visits of your own, please advise on the locations, organization, planning and accommodation. Thanks!

Sindawe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:28:04 PM »

SHOOT! I'm going to be on your side of the country visiting my G-mother on her 100th Birthday when you're in town. I'll wave if I spot you at DIA

Things to do in Denver (when you're not dead) I'm most familar with the Northern edge of Denver.

Check into the YMCA of the Rockies. The Estes Park center has cabins and/or lodge rooms and Estes is right at the east entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

http://www.ymcarockies.org/home/about-us/EPCrenovation

Also in Estes is these folks. http://www.rockymtnresorts.com/locations/lazy-r-cottages/

Lower down Boulder has a number of rentals that might work for you and your parents.

http://www.homeaway.com/boulder/s/7959/fa/find.squery

That would give you access to the Boulder Mountain Parks and its extensive trail system. There are a number of low impact trails through the Pine Forests. A visit to the NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) Mesa Lab gives access to their short nature trail on Table Mesa.

The City of Boulder has a Google Earth file that shows their trails here: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3551&Itemid=1280

Boulder itself is an interesting city to visit, if you can stand the drumming and the fog of patchouli, hemp and smug in the air.

http://www.normankoren.com/Boulder.html

A drive south from Boulder along scenic state highway 93 runs you along the base of the foothills past the old Rocky Flats site (mind the Plutonium dust

) into Golden (home of the Coors brewery) and the Jefferson County parks system. http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R108.htm

There are also a number of cultural attractions in Denver proper, such as The Natural History Museum (finest collection of stuffed dead animals in the West), the Denver Art Museum and historic Lower Downtown (LoDo) with its range of fine dining, brew-pubs and buildings.

A drive up I-70 gets you to Georgetown, which is an old minining town. http://www.georgetowncolorado.com/

Just past Georgetown is Silverplume, a semi-ghost town. http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/silverplume.html

Down in the Colorado Springs area is Pikes Peak that you noted, along with Garden of the Gods. http://www.gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1 and the Air Force Academy http://www.usafa.af.mil/index.cfm?catname=AFA%20Homepage

Thats only scratching the surface of the region.

dm1333 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:45:39 PM »

Denver is more centrally located and RMNP is a gorgeous place to visit, drive through and hike. West of Pueblo and Canon City is a gorge (can't remember the name) that is also beautiful. I'm only posting here because I'm moving west in two weeks and hopefully will be spending some time in Colorado myself. I want to hear what people have to say about places to visit too. Look for a silver Jeep Patriot with a small utility trailer, that will be me!

I think I want to come in from the north after visiting the Black Hills and parts of Wyoming, hit a few bike shops in Denver and Colorado Springs (I'm looking to test ride recumbents) and then head west through either the center of the state or the southern part. I haven't found a place in CA yet so I may be heading right out there to do some house hunting instead.

PTK · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2009, 01:19:33 PM »

Here in Golden, you're VERY close to many free Open Space Parks, along with many mountain trails, good dining, lots of intersting mom and pop shops, and more. It's why I live here, and it's only about 1 1/4 hours from DIA.

Bob F. · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2009, 07:04:54 PM »

Go to Arizona or Montana!

Just kidding! Enjoy.
Bob

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:08:33 PM »

From denver Airport, it is a bit of a trip to the actual mountains

we had a great time when my wife & I stayed at Keystone resort
http://keystone.snow.com/Home/Lodging.aspx
and day tripped via rental car to the Silverton Silvermine railroad trip
http://www.durangotrain.com/

Leadville was also an interesting excursion

Oleg Volk · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:07:04 AM »

My father just checked accommodations in Golden and one of Pikes Peak communities but found no reasonably priced vacancies for all five days of our visit. Any suggestions for alternate accommodations?

Also, what sort of precautions should I take in regard to the local enforcement agencies and their attitude on carry?

Finally, I may have a chance to meet up with Colorado residents of APS and THR. Would anyone like to play a tour guide for a day and show us the non-touristy attreactions?

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:15:52 AM »

check out the availability the various snow resorts

off season they have hiking trails and mountain bike activities

Breckenridge, Snowmass, Aspen, Keystone & Grand Junction

http://breckenridge.snow.com/summerhome.asp

http://www.snowmassvillage.com/

http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/

Denver/Golden is out on the high plain desert

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2009, 01:58:30 PM »

Advice? Don't get your car towed.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2009, 05:12:28 PM »

Oleg, buddy, you are going to stroke out when you see all the natural beauty in that part of Colorado. Your camera may go into meltdown.

Don't worrry about trying to get a place in Golden or Co. Springs just because of location. Denver is full of reasonably priced places (think Courtyard Marriot and Holiday Inn Express) that are less than a half hour from "Holy Crap These Mountains Are Beautiful!".

Get a copy of the Colorado guide by Caughey & Winstanly. Of all my Colorado references this is the one I always end up going back to. It's an invaluable reference for the novice Colorado traveler.

First and foremost ...Rocky Mountain National Park. This is not an option. Period. Go all the way through the park and come back to Denver via Winter Park and over the pass through Idaho Springs. If you have time check out the Phoenix Mine tour in Idaho Springs. It's not very long but it's a really neat little tour.

There are soooooooo many places to go and things to do that it's darn near impossible to list them all. Just make sure you have fresh batteries in the camera and plenty of memory cards. You'll need them!

Brad

charby · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2009, 05:31:15 PM »

A tent and a flyrod is all you need.

coppertales · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2009, 11:28:11 AM »

West of Co Springs is Cripple Creek, bring money, gambling is the name of the game there, then on to Leadville. Google Colorado tourism and see what comes up. A pretty state....chris3

Oleg Volk · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2009, 11:44:40 PM »

We will be staying in Golden. Who's close enough to say Hi?

Larry Ashcraft · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:39:47 PM »

Oleg, Standing Wolf and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Your parents are very charming, and an inspiration as well.

"Personal friendships will outlast any internet relationship."
~Oleg Volk, May 2009

Standing Wolf · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2009, 09:27:54 PM »

Quote

Oleg, Standing Wolf and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Your parents are very charming, and an inspiration as well.

Amen. Three more reasons, as if any were needed, to continue to stand for legitimate immigration. Next time, we'll have to make more time.

PTK · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2009, 09:50:50 PM »

D'oh. I LIVE in Golden, though I'm in poor health and I think you've headed home already.

Oleg Volk · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:17:50 PM »

Meeting Standing Wolf and Larry Ashcraft was wonderful. Both impressed me even more in person.

PTK,

I will likely be out most of tomorrow and you may be gone before I come back, but give me a call and we'll see if we can at least meet and greet briefly.

Colorado has been great so far. I took 16GB of photos thus far, about 800 images. I really liked Boulder and would like to spend more time there on my next visit.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

PTK · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:55:05 PM »

I'll PM you with my phone # and a request for yours.

I'd love to meet you, you're sort of one of my heros.

Oleg Volk · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:11:02 AM »

Met PTK and his girlfriend today. Charming, classy, photogenic people. Posters featuring both are coming up.

My situational awareness was not 100% -- I managed to miss a P90 SBR in PTK's hand until he presented it for examination!

PTK · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:35:20 AM »

Oleg,

That tiny little popgun is easy to miss. Don't feel bad.

coppertales · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:01:43 AM »

If you make it south enough to get to Trinidad, you can have a new barrel installed on your rifle at the gunsmith school and get a sex change while you wait for it at the clinic across town....chris3

Oleg Volk · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2009, 07:30:50 PM »

First vacation photos are up at http://olegvolk.livejournal.com/

PTK · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:15:03 PM »

Wow, good pics so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of those that you took.

News:

Author Topic: Need advice for planning a vacation in Colorado (Read 4281 times)