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Telluride, Ouray, Estes Park Recs (Summer)
Posted on 2/2/21 at 9:34 pm
Posted on 2/2/21 at 9:34 pm
Long term lurker looking for recommendations on a summer trip to CO that we have planned. We’ll be staying in Telluride for three (3) nights, Ouray for two (2) nights, stopover between Ouray and Estes Park for one (1 night) and Estes Park for five (5) nights. Trip scheduled for the end of July.
Any must do’s that y’all have? Always open for off the beaten path eats. Planning to do a lot of hiking, rent ATV’s one day and horseback riding on another.
The only things we have nailed down so far is my wife wants to drive the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ and we both want to hike to the Sky Pond near Estes Park.
Besides any must do’s or things to check out, where should we stop on the drive from Ouray to Estes Park? My wife wants to visit Vail, thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance!
Any must do’s that y’all have? Always open for off the beaten path eats. Planning to do a lot of hiking, rent ATV’s one day and horseback riding on another.
The only things we have nailed down so far is my wife wants to drive the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ and we both want to hike to the Sky Pond near Estes Park.
Besides any must do’s or things to check out, where should we stop on the drive from Ouray to Estes Park? My wife wants to visit Vail, thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance!
This post was edited on 2/2/21 at 9:36 pm
10
Posted on 2/2/21 at 9:46 pm to musty
quote:
where should we stop on the drive from Ouray to Estes Park?
Glenwood Springs
Posted on 2/2/21 at 9:52 pm to musty
Chasm Lake, Black Lake and Ouzel Lake in RMNP are great hikes. Lily Mountain and Twin Sisters Peaks are also both great hikes slightly outside of the park in Estes. Mt. Ida and Hallett Peak are great peaks that are significantly easier than Longs.
This post was edited on 2/2/21 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 2/3/21 at 6:48 am to musty
Hike Sky Pond in Estes Park. My favorite
Posted on 2/3/21 at 6:56 am to musty
More days in Ouray and less days in Telluride. More to do (off road, hiking) and Ouray is more rustic. Telluride is overgrown and over rated.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 7:09 am to musty
quote:You could stay in Grand Lake which is near the west side entrance to RMNP. Then take Trail Ridge Road, which goes through the park, to Estes Park. Regardless of where you spend that night that’s the route I would take to get to EP.
where should we stop on the drive from Ouray to Estes Park?
Stop at the visitor center at the entrance and the ranger can tell you about hikes on that side of the park that you will be driving by.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 8:11 am to GrapevineTiger
quote:
More days in Ouray and less days in Telluride. More to do (off road, hiking) and Ouray is more rustic.
Thanks for this - I'll look into it. The reason we chose Telluride for three (3) and Ouray for two (2) is because we thought Telluride was more rustic/smaller/authentic and Ouray had more of an overgrown feel.. We've booked rooms, but can get a full refund so the trip can be adjusted.
quote:
Chasm Lake, Black Lake and Ouzel Lake in RMNP are great hikes. Lily Mountain and Twin Sisters Peaks are also both great hikes slightly outside of the park in Estes. Mt. Ida and Hallett Peak are great peaks that are significantly easier than Longs.
Will look into all of these. Thank you!!
quote:
Hike Sky Pond in Estes Park. My favorite
Excited for this one! Had friends who did it last year (all from South/lowland) and they said it was very, very tough, but so worth it at the end!
quote:
Glenwood Springs
Will look into Glenwood Springs! Other than wife wanting to stop through Vail (could be adjusted if we find something else worthwhile) this part of the trip is wide open.
quote:
You could stay in Grand Lake which is near the west side entrance to RMNP. Then take Trail Ridge Road, which goes through the park, to Estes Park. Regardless of where you spend that night that’s the route I would take to get to EP.
Stop at the visitor center at the entrance and the ranger can tell you about hikes on that side of the park that you will be driving by.
Noted! I've read about Trail Ridge Road and we'd planned finding time to make the drive while in Estes. Haven't considered driving it on our way in. It definitely makes the most sense.
I'd mapped the trip from Ouray to Estes a few times and that route hasn't come up, it looks like Highway 34 (is this Trail Ridge Road) is closed? Assuming this is for the winter and will be available in the summer.
This post was edited on 2/3/21 at 8:19 am
Posted on 2/3/21 at 8:13 am to nctiger71
The thing with Grand Lake and the west side of RMNP is that it got thoroughly decimated last summer by fires. Most hikes on the West side are still closed. Not sure if it will still be worth the stop like it had been. Normally I’d prefer the Grand Lake side to the Estes side, but I’m just not sure what that will look like out there... OP can probably call the ranger before they go to see what the status is of trails.
@OP, the whole area around Vail/Frisco/Breckenridge is jam packed with amazing hikes. I highly recommend driving through Leadville even though it is a bit of a detour from your straightforward drive on 70. That’s one of the prettiest areas in Colorado IMO. Tons of 14ers in the area you can see easily from the road surrounding Leadville. Twin Lakes is stunning in and of itself. Independence Pass from Aspen to Twin Lakes/Leadville is a drive similar to Million Dollar Highway and is stunning. Hope Pass is an awesome hike and part of the route for the Leadville 100 mile ultra marathon.
If you drive down Independence Pass, I’d definitely stop for a bit at the Maroon Bells near Aspen. I’d also try to hike an out and back on the Four Pass Loop, which is generally a 28 mile backpacking trail but you can shorten to however long you want by just turning around after 3-5 miles. Not sure how much time you’ll have though.
Buffalo Mountain is another easier peak near Frisco w great views.
I really like Dillon Dam Brewery in Dillon. That’s one of my favorite breweries in CO. It’s right off the highway on 70 so easy for yall to get to on your way there if you wanted some lunch. Good food, good beer, AMAZING views.
More good hikes around Estes: Mirror Lake, Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Peak. All amazing trails. They’re all in the Indian Peaks Wilderness so fewer tourists and more locals out there.
@OP, the whole area around Vail/Frisco/Breckenridge is jam packed with amazing hikes. I highly recommend driving through Leadville even though it is a bit of a detour from your straightforward drive on 70. That’s one of the prettiest areas in Colorado IMO. Tons of 14ers in the area you can see easily from the road surrounding Leadville. Twin Lakes is stunning in and of itself. Independence Pass from Aspen to Twin Lakes/Leadville is a drive similar to Million Dollar Highway and is stunning. Hope Pass is an awesome hike and part of the route for the Leadville 100 mile ultra marathon.
If you drive down Independence Pass, I’d definitely stop for a bit at the Maroon Bells near Aspen. I’d also try to hike an out and back on the Four Pass Loop, which is generally a 28 mile backpacking trail but you can shorten to however long you want by just turning around after 3-5 miles. Not sure how much time you’ll have though.
Buffalo Mountain is another easier peak near Frisco w great views.
I really like Dillon Dam Brewery in Dillon. That’s one of my favorite breweries in CO. It’s right off the highway on 70 so easy for yall to get to on your way there if you wanted some lunch. Good food, good beer, AMAZING views.
More good hikes around Estes: Mirror Lake, Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Peak. All amazing trails. They’re all in the Indian Peaks Wilderness so fewer tourists and more locals out there.
This post was edited on 2/3/21 at 11:23 am
Posted on 2/3/21 at 8:38 am to musty
Drive down to Silverton and take the train to Durango and back.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 1:20 pm to Shexter
Then rent a 4wd vehicle and drive Black Bear Pass.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 2:35 pm to musty
The Million Dollar Highway is pretty cool with the sheer cliff hairpin turns and whatnot. One idea would be to turn that into a day trip, drive close to Silverton, and hike Ice Lake Basin Trail. Ice Lake Basin Trail
Another trail in between Ouray and Telluride would be the Blue Lakes Trail up to Mt Sneffels. Blue Lakes Trail
Another trail in between Ouray and Telluride would be the Blue Lakes Trail up to Mt Sneffels. Blue Lakes Trail
Posted on 2/3/21 at 4:18 pm to musty
I hiked sky pond in early October and it was my favorite trail. The worst part was the gale force winds at that time of year. Emerald Lake and Dream lake are easier hikes and both beautiful. As someone else mentioned, Hallett Peak is a nice hike and puts you on top of the continental divide. Trail Ridge road is a must too.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 4:26 pm to GrapevineTiger
quote:
More days in Ouray and less days in Telluride. More to do (off road, hiking) and Ouray is more rustic. Telluride is overgrown and over rated.
This.
Rent a jeep in Ouray and drive Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, and Engineer Pass. I'd avoid Black Bear if you're not used to 4W trails in SW CO.
Posted on 2/3/21 at 4:37 pm to musty
The Silver Lake trail is my favorite hike out of Telluride (trail head is on top of Bridal Veil - it’s dreamy up there).
Cornet Falls in Telluride is perfect, short and super cool. Scramble to the top and you can pretty much hang ten if the water isn’t raging.
I lived at the base of Bear Creek trail, the upper falls are cool, you can pretty much run that one.
Lizard Head trail is pretty damn epic.
I love the base of Ophir Wall, just hike the approach and kick around.
Cornet Falls in Telluride is perfect, short and super cool. Scramble to the top and you can pretty much hang ten if the water isn’t raging.
I lived at the base of Bear Creek trail, the upper falls are cool, you can pretty much run that one.
Lizard Head trail is pretty damn epic.
I love the base of Ophir Wall, just hike the approach and kick around.
This post was edited on 2/3/21 at 4:38 pm
Posted on 2/5/21 at 11:04 am to TigerSaintInDallas
.
This post was edited on 2/5/21 at 11:10 am
Posted on 2/5/21 at 11:10 am to TigerSaintInDallas
quote:
The thing with Grand Lake and the west side of RMNP is that it got thoroughly decimated last summer by fires. Most hikes on the West side are still closed. Not sure if it will still be worth the stop like it had been. Normally I’d prefer the Grand Lake side to the Estes side, but I’m just not sure what that will look like out there... OP can probably call the ranger before they go to see what the status is of trails.
Will the decimation of the west side of RMNP make us wish we'd have chosen another time to go to Estes? Said another way - should we wait a few years before making our trip due to the fires?
Thank you so much for the rest of your recommendations!
quote:
Drive down to Silverton and take the train to Durango and back.
Is there a train from Silverton to Durango and back? The only thing I've seen online is for Durango to Silverton and back to Durango. We'd love to do the train but had cancelled it out because we didn't want to make the drive to Durango!
quote:
The Million Dollar Highway is pretty cool with the sheer cliff hairpin turns and whatnot. One idea would be to turn that into a day trip, drive close to Silverton, and hike Ice Lake Basin Trail. Ice Lake Basin Trail
Another trail in between Ouray and Telluride would be the Blue Lakes Trail up to Mt Sneffels. Blue Lakes Trail
Thanks for the recommendations! Super excited for the Million Dollar Highway.
quote:
I hiked sky pond in early October and it was my favorite trail. The worst part was the gale force winds at that time of year. Emerald Lake and Dream lake are easier hikes and both beautiful. As someone else mentioned, Hallett Peak is a nice hike and puts you on top of the continental divide. Trail Ridge road is a must too.
Our friends who did the sky pond last year have raved about it every since. Can't wait to 'attempt' the hike! My wife isn't as excited ha!
quote:
quote:
More days in Ouray and less days in Telluride. More to do (off road, hiking) and Ouray is more rustic. Telluride is overgrown and over rated.
This.
Rent a jeep in Ouray and drive Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, and Engineer Pass. I'd avoid Black Bear if you're not used to 4W trails in SW CO.
Seems to be the common theme. I did additional research online and have decided to to knock a day or two off of Telluride to stay in Ouray a few extra days
quote:
The Silver Lake trail is my favorite hike out of Telluride (trail head is on top of Bridal Veil - it’s dreamy up there).
Cornet Falls in Telluride is perfect, short and super cool. Scramble to the top and you can pretty much hang ten if the water isn’t raging.
I lived at the base of Bear Creek trail, the upper falls are cool, you can pretty much run that one.
Lizard Head trail is pretty damn epic.
I love the base of Ophir Wall, just hike the approach and kick around.
Thanks! Will check these out!
This post was edited on 2/5/21 at 11:13 am
Posted on 2/5/21 at 11:13 am to musty
Thank y'all so much for all of the suggestions since my original post! My wife and I spent an hour or two last night checking them out! Can't wait for the trip!
Posted on 2/5/21 at 12:22 pm to musty
quote:Image of RMNP, the fire areas and closed trails as of Dec 2020. I would think a lot will change between now and the summer as far a trails opening. And it looks like a lot of trails are open and were not affected by the fires.
Will the decimation of the west side of RMNP make us wish we'd have chosen another time to go to Estes?
This is the link to the map or go to the RMNP web site and search for maps. There is an interactive map that you can zoom and scroll on.
RMNP Wildfire Info Link
[/url][/img] Is this your first trip there?
Posted on 2/5/21 at 12:28 pm to musty
The Estes side (east side of the park) wasn't hit too badly by the fires. The west side is where the vast majority of the damage should be. To my knowledge the fire just barely crossed over to the east side of the Continental Divide. I think your trip should still be great out there.
Posted on 2/5/21 at 1:02 pm to nctiger71
quote:
Is this your first trip there?
Great, thanks for the map! It is our first trip to CO in the summer. We've been to Steamboat Springs multiple
quote:
The Estes side (east side of the park) wasn't hit too badly by the fires. The west side is where the vast majority of the damage should be. To my knowledge the fire just barely crossed over to the east side of the Continental Divide. I think your trip should still be great out there.
Ok thanks!
This post was edited on 2/5/21 at 1:05 pm
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