re: Telluride, Ouray, Estes Park Recs (Summer)

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.