- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Colorado Hiking/Outdoors Recommendations
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:04 pm
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:04 pm
Taking a trip to see one of my friends who recently moved to Colorado Springs over Memorial Day Weekend.
We will have three whole days to do outdoor activities and will have a vehicle to travel around.
We were looking at Garden of the Gods and the Great Sand Dunes National Park as for sure places we want to go to. (We've both already been to Pike's Peak)
We looked into Mesa Verde and Black Canyon but decided unless we were going to over night camp we probably couldn't do those due to distance.
Also looking at white water rafting, but we're not really sure where the best spots to go are during that time of year. If anyone has any recomendations for activities, trails, parks, or other things to do within 3 hours of Denver/Colorado Springs I would greatly appreciate some recommendations.
We will have three whole days to do outdoor activities and will have a vehicle to travel around.
We were looking at Garden of the Gods and the Great Sand Dunes National Park as for sure places we want to go to. (We've both already been to Pike's Peak)
We looked into Mesa Verde and Black Canyon but decided unless we were going to over night camp we probably couldn't do those due to distance.
Also looking at white water rafting, but we're not really sure where the best spots to go are during that time of year. If anyone has any recomendations for activities, trails, parks, or other things to do within 3 hours of Denver/Colorado Springs I would greatly appreciate some recommendations.
12
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:05 pm to HogFanfromHTown
All anyone does there anymore is get stoned and watch Animal Planet. Really a shame. Used to be a great place to visit.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:08 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:12 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Memorial day may be too early for rafting this year. They have had a shite ton of snow this year and runnoff is going to be insane around then, may not be running rafts just yet. If they are, the Arkansas is the place to go, we've used these guys a couple of times and had a blast.
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:13 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
Manitou Incline
Wow this looks intense haha. Nearly half a mile in incline in a mile hike. Definitley worth looking into. Thanks!
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:14 pm to HogFanfromHTown
quote:
Also looking at white water rafting,
You can raft Browns Canyon or the Royal Gorge would be cool.
We stayed in the area a couple of years ago and used River Runners they have 4 locations within a couple of hours of Colo Springs - LINK
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:17 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Go drive up Mount Evans. Better than Pikes Peak IMO.
Hike up to Cupid point at Loveland Pass, or hike up Byers Peak near Fraser/Winter Park.
If you have some experience with these things you can try hiking up Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Note that all of the above are above 12,000 feet and above treeline, so be careful.
I only mention that because we summited Byers Peak and came down the ridge above treeline in a thundersnow storm in June
. Thats the sort of thing some people do once and they are found days later unfortunately.
Hike up to Cupid point at Loveland Pass, or hike up Byers Peak near Fraser/Winter Park.
If you have some experience with these things you can try hiking up Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Note that all of the above are above 12,000 feet and above treeline, so be careful.
I only mention that because we summited Byers Peak and came down the ridge above treeline in a thundersnow storm in June
. Thats the sort of thing some people do once and they are found days later unfortunately.This post was edited on 4/24/19 at 4:21 pm
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:18 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Estes Cone
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:19 pm to HogFanfromHTown
quote:
Also looking at white water rafting, but we're not really sure where the best spots to go are during that time of year.
Arkansas River. If you're experienced, I recommend Royal Gorge or The Numbers. If you aren't, then Brown's Canyon isn't hard. The gorge is mostly 4's & 5's but Brown's is mostly 3's with a couple of 4's that might turn into 5's in high water. The Numbers is farther upstream near Leadville and is very technical.
There are lots of rafting places in and around Cañon City. I've had good guides from Echo Canyon but they all do a pretty good job.
While you're in the area, there's also the Royal Gorge bridge itself and the train that runs up and down the canyon.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:26 pm to reveille
quote:
Memorial day may be too early for rafting this year. They have had a shite ton of snow this year and runnoff is going to be insane around then, may not be running rafts just yet.
Yeah I went to that link and it seems like they aren't allowing anyone to book anything yet. I could just not be using the website properly but definitley sounds like runoff might be that crazy this year and they've cancelled anyone from making booking until they can figure out how bad the runoff will be. I heard there was a couple of massive blizzards this winter but I didn't think how that could affect the rafting.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:28 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Whatever you do, stay away from Estes Park and that side of Rocky Mtn Natl Park (the grand lake side will be less crowded). It’s a total shot show there on Memorial Day weekend.
Royal Gorge is cool, and the new visitor center there is pretty nice. You can zip line across the gorge if you’re nuts.
Royal Gorge is cool, and the new visitor center there is pretty nice. You can zip line across the gorge if you’re nuts.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:34 pm to jimbeam
quote:
Estes Cone
The view looks fantastic. Definitley will look into this if we go to Rocky Mountain National Park. Thank You!
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:34 pm to MountainTiger
quote:
Arkansas River
This
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:36 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Like said above it may be crowded so maybe plan on getting there early. Wasn’t too bad when I went. I did it in late May and had snow on top 1/3. Did fine without cramp ons or snow shoes though.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:39 pm to DrierlintLSU
quote:great to know. I was wondering how popular Colorado is for a Memorial Day weekend trip destination and it turns out it is very popular. The Great Sand Dunes was already fully booked for camping!
Whatever you do, stay away from Estes Park and that side of Rocky Mtn Natl Park (the grand lake side will be less crowded). It’s a total shot show there on Memorial Day weekend.
quote:
Royal Gorge is cool, and the new visitor center there is pretty nice. You can zip line across the gorge if you’re nuts.
Wow that is beautiful. I've ziplined before but nothing like that. Definitley gotta look into this. Thank You!
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:43 pm to MountainTiger
quote:
If you aren't, then Brown's Canyon isn't hard. The gorge is mostly 4's & 5's but Brown's is mostly 3's with a couple of 4's that might turn into 5's in high water.
That sounds doable. I haven't been rafting in about 10 years. I can't remember where exactly we were cause I was on a Boy Scout trip when I did it but we did 3's & 4's and that was awesome. 5's from what I understand are basically or literaly waterfalls and such which is too advanced for me personally. Thank you!
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:49 pm to HogFanfromHTown
You won’t regret either of those.
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:53 pm to HogFanfromHTown
quote:
Memorial Day Weekend
quote:
Also looking at white water rafting
Be careful. There was a ton of snow this year and Memorial day weekend is still early enough in the season for there to be a ton of snow melt. The rapids will be extreme.
C Springs isn't too far from the Royal Gorge there is great rafting in that area but like I said be careful and choose a very experienced guide.
As far as hiking goes, with said snow the higher elevations are likely to still be very covered with snow - like impassible. To give you a feel I just checked the NWS gauge near my hunt camp (at about 10,000 feet elevation) and there is still over 3 feet of snow on the ground. Most of that should melt in the next 30 days (I hope) I am going to be out there on Memorial day.
This post was edited on 4/24/19 at 5:04 pm
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:53 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Hike to Seven Falls. You can see it from the trail without having to pay to get in and see the indian dances. (This was 20 years ago so might want to check if still there).
Posted on 4/24/19 at 4:56 pm to HogFanfromHTown
Echo Canyon has fun rafting
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News