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Message
Finalizing Trip to CO - Denver, Telluride, Ouray, and Estes Park
Posted on 5/14/21 at 10:54 pm
Posted on 5/14/21 at 10:54 pm
In the final stages of planning our trip to CO for the first of June and looking for some ideas to fill in a few of the gaps and to see what ya'll think of the itinerary and what we have planned. I posted a thread earlier this year (thanks for all the ideas there) but wanted to post again after I'd done more research to see what ya'll thought.
Very few things are set in stone (Million Dollar Highway and hiking the Sky Pond are our must-do's), we are completely open to any and all suggestions, tips, ideas.
We'll be flying into Denver in the mid afternoon and have a hotel booked for two nights in Downtown (original plan was to fly into Denver and immediately fly to Montrose, but our flight times were changed at the last minute so we had to adjust).
For the first afternoon we don't have anything scheduled at this time and open for suggestions. Our plan was to just hangout downtown, maybe find a brewery and a good place for supper. The Rockies will be in town and another idea would be to catch a game.
Our plan for the second day was to take the train to Boulder and spend most/all day there. For Boulder we have exploring the Pearl Street Mall, hiking at the Flatiron Trail and my wife found a brewery that she wanted to go to - Bohemian Biergarten.
We'll be flying to Montrose early on the third day and driving straight to Telluride. In Telluride that first day we plan to hike the Jud Wiebe Traill, afterwards possibly going to the Historical Museum and walking around Downtown. We plan to take the gondola to Mountain Village for sunset and have supper with a view.
The fourth day we will be in Telluride all day -- we've considered renting jeeps and possibly doing Imogene Pass to the Tomboy Mines, Alta Lakes is another idea. But from the research I've done it seems like the best jeeping is for Ouray?
If we don't jeep on the fourth day, our plan was to hike Bear Creek Falls in the AM and possibly Bridal Vail in the afternoon (or vice versa), or we've talked about jeeping half a day and then doing Bear Creek in the afternoon.. I'm not totally sold on Bridal Veil though and would be open to suggestions...
Our plan for the fifth day is to wake up early and make the drive to Ouray. Once in Ouray we plan to take a tour of the Bachelor Syracuse Mine in the AM and just explore the town of Ouray and in the PM hike the Perimeter Trail. After hiking our plan to go to Ridgeway and go to the Orvis Hot Springs.
For the sixth day, the plan is to drive the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton. While in Silverton we plan to make the trip up to Animas Fork. While on the way to Silverton we've talked about stopping at the Mayflower Gold Mill.
The seventh day is another full day in Ouray and it's wide open. We've again talked about renting jeeps and making exploring Yankee Boy Basin or Last Dollar Road. We've also gotten a suggestions for our AirBNB host to do the Sutton Mine hike and to make a trip to Ironton Park.
For the eight day we will start the drive to Estes Park. We don't have any reservations yet and the route we take is completely up in the air. I think it'd be cool to take the scenic route and stay off the highways, but my wife wants to stay strictly interstate and not waste time. So we'll probably stick to the highway. The very early plan is to wake up early and detour through Breckinridge and stay for the night. But completely wide open here. Open to all suggestions.
For the ninth day we'll be making the final leg of our trip to Estes Park - we're in no rush to get there. We have entry passes to RMNP from 2-4:00 PM just in case we get there and decide to go to the park. Nothing scheduled.
For day ten the plan is to hike to the Sky Pond. Expecting it to take us all day.
On day eleven we rest. Ha. No major plans. Estes Park is the section of our trip that I haven't done a lot of research on yet. Horseback riding is an option. Thought about renting ATV's.
Day twelve - plan to drive the Trail Ridge Road and spend most of the day in RMNP. Again, don't have much detail here. Have passes for RMNP
Day thirteen - nothing planned.. haven't made it this far. Have passes for RMNP.
Day fourteen - our flight from Denver isn't 7:00 PM so we have nearly a full day to place. Again, no plans. Have passes for RMNP.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Very few things are set in stone (Million Dollar Highway and hiking the Sky Pond are our must-do's), we are completely open to any and all suggestions, tips, ideas.
We'll be flying into Denver in the mid afternoon and have a hotel booked for two nights in Downtown (original plan was to fly into Denver and immediately fly to Montrose, but our flight times were changed at the last minute so we had to adjust).
For the first afternoon we don't have anything scheduled at this time and open for suggestions. Our plan was to just hangout downtown, maybe find a brewery and a good place for supper. The Rockies will be in town and another idea would be to catch a game.
Our plan for the second day was to take the train to Boulder and spend most/all day there. For Boulder we have exploring the Pearl Street Mall, hiking at the Flatiron Trail and my wife found a brewery that she wanted to go to - Bohemian Biergarten.
We'll be flying to Montrose early on the third day and driving straight to Telluride. In Telluride that first day we plan to hike the Jud Wiebe Traill, afterwards possibly going to the Historical Museum and walking around Downtown. We plan to take the gondola to Mountain Village for sunset and have supper with a view.
The fourth day we will be in Telluride all day -- we've considered renting jeeps and possibly doing Imogene Pass to the Tomboy Mines, Alta Lakes is another idea. But from the research I've done it seems like the best jeeping is for Ouray?
If we don't jeep on the fourth day, our plan was to hike Bear Creek Falls in the AM and possibly Bridal Vail in the afternoon (or vice versa), or we've talked about jeeping half a day and then doing Bear Creek in the afternoon.. I'm not totally sold on Bridal Veil though and would be open to suggestions...
Our plan for the fifth day is to wake up early and make the drive to Ouray. Once in Ouray we plan to take a tour of the Bachelor Syracuse Mine in the AM and just explore the town of Ouray and in the PM hike the Perimeter Trail. After hiking our plan to go to Ridgeway and go to the Orvis Hot Springs.
For the sixth day, the plan is to drive the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton. While in Silverton we plan to make the trip up to Animas Fork. While on the way to Silverton we've talked about stopping at the Mayflower Gold Mill.
The seventh day is another full day in Ouray and it's wide open. We've again talked about renting jeeps and making exploring Yankee Boy Basin or Last Dollar Road. We've also gotten a suggestions for our AirBNB host to do the Sutton Mine hike and to make a trip to Ironton Park.
For the eight day we will start the drive to Estes Park. We don't have any reservations yet and the route we take is completely up in the air. I think it'd be cool to take the scenic route and stay off the highways, but my wife wants to stay strictly interstate and not waste time. So we'll probably stick to the highway. The very early plan is to wake up early and detour through Breckinridge and stay for the night. But completely wide open here. Open to all suggestions.
For the ninth day we'll be making the final leg of our trip to Estes Park - we're in no rush to get there. We have entry passes to RMNP from 2-4:00 PM just in case we get there and decide to go to the park. Nothing scheduled.
For day ten the plan is to hike to the Sky Pond. Expecting it to take us all day.
On day eleven we rest. Ha. No major plans. Estes Park is the section of our trip that I haven't done a lot of research on yet. Horseback riding is an option. Thought about renting ATV's.
Day twelve - plan to drive the Trail Ridge Road and spend most of the day in RMNP. Again, don't have much detail here. Have passes for RMNP
Day thirteen - nothing planned.. haven't made it this far. Have passes for RMNP.
Day fourteen - our flight from Denver isn't 7:00 PM so we have nearly a full day to place. Again, no plans. Have passes for RMNP.
Thanks for any suggestions!
This post was edited on 5/14/21 at 10:58 pm
9
Posted on 5/15/21 at 12:22 am to TheJunction
Jeez Chris, I'm glad I don't travel with you.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:06 am to TheJunction
quote:
I think it'd be cool to take the scenic route and stay off the highways, but my wife wants to stay strictly interstate and not waste time. So we'll probably stick to the highway.
the only interstate is 70, east/west from Denver to grand junction
from telluride go north to montrose and see the black canyon
then cut over going east along the gunnison to poncha springs, then north thru BV and Leadville. You can stay there or breck or wherever looks cool (Leadville is cool). From there you can go north and either go straight to estes or go thru grand lake on the west side and cut thru the park (if the road is open, it might not be)
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:10 am to cgrand
also if the Rockies are in town, definitely do that
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:18 am to Zappas Stache
The drive from Ouray to Estes will be about the same time taking the interstate vs 50/285. If you took 50/285 you could stop in Salida on the way to Breck. Going the northern route you could stop in Glenwood Springs and stay in Vail vs Breck.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:20 am to cgrand
.
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 8:21 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:37 am to pjab
Normally I’d be all aboard taking 50 East out of montrose, but now I say it depends on what day that would be for you. There is always construction on 50 between montrose and salida, but it’s even worse right now with extended closures. Image comes from CDOT website concerning hwy 50 closure
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:45 am to iwantacooler
good looking out on that by you, I didn’t know about that.
I’ll be making the telluride to BV drive in July but fortunately looks like I’ll be ok as it will be on a monday
I’ll be making the telluride to BV drive in July but fortunately looks like I’ll be ok as it will be on a monday
Posted on 5/15/21 at 2:48 pm to TheJunction
Million dollar hwy is a must
Posted on 5/15/21 at 3:56 pm to TheJunction
quote:
trip to CO for the first of June
check the status of the jeep roads and mountain passes in your plans - early june most are still closed due to snow at elevation.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 6:16 pm to TheJunction
I'm exhausted just reading that. 
She's nuts. That is potentially a very pretty drive. The trouble is going to be the roadwork along US 50. If the day you're going is going to be open, just take that to Salida and up through BV, Leadville, and stay near Frisco/Denver.
If it's going to be a traffic headache, go up to 70 and ride it to Glenwood Springs. Take CO 82 from there to Aspen and over Independence Pass through Leadville and end up in Summit somewhere to stay. Makes for a relatively short and pretty drive the next day to Estes Park.
Edit:
I'd be shocked if the passes in the San Juans weren't open by June 1, expect for those that top out at some extreme elevations. It's been dry on the westslope this year.
Even into the highest elevations of central CO, I'd expect anything under 12,000' to be open.
quote:
For the eight day we will start the drive to Estes Park. We don't have any reservations yet and the route we take is completely up in the air. I think it'd be cool to take the scenic route and stay off the highways, but my wife wants to stay strictly interstate and not waste time. So we'll probably stick to the highway. The very early plan is to wake up early and detour through Breckinridge and stay for the night. But completely wide open here. Open to all suggestions.
She's nuts. That is potentially a very pretty drive. The trouble is going to be the roadwork along US 50. If the day you're going is going to be open, just take that to Salida and up through BV, Leadville, and stay near Frisco/Denver.
If it's going to be a traffic headache, go up to 70 and ride it to Glenwood Springs. Take CO 82 from there to Aspen and over Independence Pass through Leadville and end up in Summit somewhere to stay. Makes for a relatively short and pretty drive the next day to Estes Park.
Edit:
quote:
check the status of the jeep roads and mountain passes in your plans - early june most are still closed due to snow at elevation.
I'd be shocked if the passes in the San Juans weren't open by June 1, expect for those that top out at some extreme elevations. It's been dry on the westslope this year.
Even into the highest elevations of central CO, I'd expect anything under 12,000' to be open.
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 6:19 pm
Posted on 5/15/21 at 9:32 pm to TheJunction
quote:
For day ten the plan is to hike to the Sky Pond. Expecting it to take us all day.
Start at dawn and you will back at hotel by 2pm.
Posted on 5/16/21 at 8:28 am to TheJunction
Thank y'all very much.. Yeah it looks like a lot ha. We'll probably not get to a lot of it, or it'll change as the trip goes, but it's something we can use as a guide when we're there.
Great idea on the Rockies suggestion. They'll be on an away trip while we're there.
So I'd put into Google Maps the trip times for 70 vs. 50 and the 50 times seemed to change dramatically every time I did.. Couldn't understand why... Must be the construction. We'll be making the trip on a Sunday so it shouldn't affect us.
Anyway, from all of the suggestions, it sounds like Hwy. 50 is the way to go, so that's what we'll plan to do. Will need to play around with the route.
I really appreciate the info.
And like I've said - the only thing set in stone is where we're staying, but if y'all have any recommendations of things to do in Ouray, Telluride, or Estes please share. Or if you see something that I have written down that isn't worth it, or that you wouldn't recommend please let me know that too...
I do have a question about the jeep rental -- should we rent in Ouray or Estes Park - is one are better than the other for jeep rentals? What are some 4wd roads you'd recommend? I've ridden 4 wheelers all my life, and have some experience in jeeps, but we're not looking to do anything to crazy - so moderate difficulty I'd say.
Great idea on the Rockies suggestion. They'll be on an away trip while we're there.
So I'd put into Google Maps the trip times for 70 vs. 50 and the 50 times seemed to change dramatically every time I did.. Couldn't understand why... Must be the construction. We'll be making the trip on a Sunday so it shouldn't affect us.
Anyway, from all of the suggestions, it sounds like Hwy. 50 is the way to go, so that's what we'll plan to do. Will need to play around with the route.
I really appreciate the info.
And like I've said - the only thing set in stone is where we're staying, but if y'all have any recommendations of things to do in Ouray, Telluride, or Estes please share. Or if you see something that I have written down that isn't worth it, or that you wouldn't recommend please let me know that too...
I do have a question about the jeep rental -- should we rent in Ouray or Estes Park - is one are better than the other for jeep rentals? What are some 4wd roads you'd recommend? I've ridden 4 wheelers all my life, and have some experience in jeeps, but we're not looking to do anything to crazy - so moderate difficulty I'd say.
Posted on 5/16/21 at 1:20 pm to TheJunction
I know the area you'll be traveling from Ouray to Estes Park through, so all I can advise are alternative routes since you probably would want to stay around here for a couple of days if you were going off-roading.
I'll say this, while I can't remember exactly how to get there from the west side, Cottonwood Pass would be a scenic way to go. You know north of Gunnison to Taylor Park Res. (Should take about an hour to get to that point), then probably another hourish over the pass to BV.
It shouldn't be that different that going the Monarch Pass way and up through Salida. It's a damn pretty drive. Cottonwood should be open by the time you get up here, all the paved passes will be open by June 1.
I'll say this, while I can't remember exactly how to get there from the west side, Cottonwood Pass would be a scenic way to go. You know north of Gunnison to Taylor Park Res. (Should take about an hour to get to that point), then probably another hourish over the pass to BV.
It shouldn't be that different that going the Monarch Pass way and up through Salida. It's a damn pretty drive. Cottonwood should be open by the time you get up here, all the paved passes will be open by June 1.
Posted on 5/16/21 at 1:22 pm to Duke
we will be going that way definitely as BV is our destination after telluride. I understand it’s paved all the way now. Couldn’t go that way last time we were there as it was closed for paving
we did make up to st elmo one afternoon though, very cool
we did make up to st elmo one afternoon though, very cool
Posted on 5/16/21 at 6:30 pm to TheJunction
Thoughts on Salida as a stopping point?
Posted on 5/16/21 at 7:05 pm to TheJunction
Interested in all of this. Will be driving the million dollar highway up July 4 week. There for a few days and trying to figure out what to do after Telluride. Leaning to driving over to Moab for a day and then back towards Denver area before driving back.
Also going check out some family land I just learned about near Pagosa Springs. Apparently we’ve got elk that need killin
Also going check out some family land I just learned about near Pagosa Springs. Apparently we’ve got elk that need killin
Posted on 5/16/21 at 7:30 pm to TheJunction
quote:
Thoughts on Salida as a stopping point?
Salida has a cool downtown area, and would be a fine place to stop. It also has things you might find useful with kids, like a Wal-Mart or fast food places. Given your route, you won't find much of that till Summit County.
Really depends on which driving day you want to be the longest. Ouray to Salida isn't really that far. Might want to consider going on to Buena Vista or even Leadville.
Posted on 5/16/21 at 8:53 pm to Duke
Good point on the driving distances and times. That’ll be something my wife and I need to talk about and decide on
Posted on 5/16/21 at 10:05 pm to musty
Following - trying to plan a trip to the telluride/ouray area for late July. Thoughts on how long to stay in telluride vs ouray or even Montrose ? Traveling with kids ages 7&10 and wife (no pics) and will be driving from Baton Rouge. Have about 10 days to burn.
Ideas on things to do in those areas ? Better to rent a jeep or 4 seat UTV?
Ideas on things to do in those areas ? Better to rent a jeep or 4 seat UTV?
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