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Message
Colorado in Summer - Need Suggestions (Updated)
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:39 am
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:39 am
UPDATE (1/19/21) - decided to fly into Montrose and drive to Telluride where we will stay for three nights. Then we'll drive to Ouray and stay for two more nights. We will then drive to Estes Park - plan to break the drive up into two days and stay in Vail/Breck for one night.
As the title says - looking for suggestions for a summer trip to Colorado. We'll be in Colorado from June 1st to the 12th. The only portion that has been set in stone is Estes Park and we're tentatively scheduled to be there from June 6th - June 12th - the 12th is a hard date, but we could get to Estes Park on the 7th or 8th if needed.
Our plan right now is to fly from NOLA to Denver and then onto Montrose. Once in Montrose we will drive to Telluride and stay until June 4th. We will wake up early on the 4th and drive to Ouray where we will stay until the 6th. On the 6th we will begin the drive to Estes Park and stay somewhere on the way - not sure yet - and then we'll be in Estes Park for the remainder of the trip.
Just typing it out, it seems like we will need to the extend the Telluride and Ouray portion of the trip because it doesn't seem like it'll be enough time in either?
We're open to looking into alternatives to the first leg (Telluride and Ouray). We've stayed in Denver and loved it, but are not interested in spending more than an morning/afternoon there on this trip. We've thought about spending a few nights in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge before going onto Estes Park.
We are outdoorsy people and will be looking to spend most/all of our trip outdoors, but we'd like to break up the hiking. What else can we do during this time of year? Some things we've tentatively scheduled include - a guided fly fishing trip, renting ATV's, horseback riding, and mountain biking. We'd also like to visit a hot springs spa one day. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, or specific recommendations from what I listed!
Sorry that was kind of a ramble, very early in planning this trip. Let me know if I need to provide any additional info...
As the title says - looking for suggestions for a summer trip to Colorado. We'll be in Colorado from June 1st to the 12th. The only portion that has been set in stone is Estes Park and we're tentatively scheduled to be there from June 6th - June 12th - the 12th is a hard date, but we could get to Estes Park on the 7th or 8th if needed.
Our plan right now is to fly from NOLA to Denver and then onto Montrose. Once in Montrose we will drive to Telluride and stay until June 4th. We will wake up early on the 4th and drive to Ouray where we will stay until the 6th. On the 6th we will begin the drive to Estes Park and stay somewhere on the way - not sure yet - and then we'll be in Estes Park for the remainder of the trip.
Just typing it out, it seems like we will need to the extend the Telluride and Ouray portion of the trip because it doesn't seem like it'll be enough time in either?
We're open to looking into alternatives to the first leg (Telluride and Ouray). We've stayed in Denver and loved it, but are not interested in spending more than an morning/afternoon there on this trip. We've thought about spending a few nights in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge before going onto Estes Park.
We are outdoorsy people and will be looking to spend most/all of our trip outdoors, but we'd like to break up the hiking. What else can we do during this time of year? Some things we've tentatively scheduled include - a guided fly fishing trip, renting ATV's, horseback riding, and mountain biking. We'd also like to visit a hot springs spa one day. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, or specific recommendations from what I listed!
Sorry that was kind of a ramble, very early in planning this trip. Let me know if I need to provide any additional info...
This post was edited on 1/19/21 at 3:47 pm
14
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:43 am to TheJunction
How set in stone is set in stone? Like need to be there for a wedding?
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:46 am to pjab
Yep, that set in stone. Most of the party is arriving in Estes Park on the 6th and 7th, but we don't "have" to be there until the 9th.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:56 am to TheJunction
I liked Fort Collins better than Colorado Springs. Garden or the Gods was nice but that can be done in half day.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 10:01 am to kciDAtaE
Haven't read anything on Fort Collins, but I'll check it out. Thanks! Any specific recommendations?
Posted on 11/3/20 at 10:18 am to TheJunction
I enjoyed Fort Collins Old town for an evening. They have some great rafting in FC and much closer to Estes. You could easily do a night in Old Town and raft the next day. And still arrive in Estes for dinner.
Mountain biking is fun in that area as well. Maybe closer to Boulder. But it’s all right there.
Concert in Red Rocks is always an option closer to Denver. Regardless who is playing.
ETA...I just did a week in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Estes in August. CS was my least enjoyable. Lots of construction to Pikes Peak and Covid restrictions made most of the town unusable. Peppertree was the highlight of CS. Great steak and good view.
Mountain biking is fun in that area as well. Maybe closer to Boulder. But it’s all right there.
Concert in Red Rocks is always an option closer to Denver. Regardless who is playing.
ETA...I just did a week in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Estes in August. CS was my least enjoyable. Lots of construction to Pikes Peak and Covid restrictions made most of the town unusable. Peppertree was the highlight of CS. Great steak and good view.
This post was edited on 11/3/20 at 10:25 am
Posted on 11/3/20 at 10:49 am to TheJunction
quote:
June 6th - June 12th
quote:
a guided fly fishing trip
look for a tailwater like the uncompaghre because that time period is usually runoff season.
may still be snow at higher elevations like in RMNP or engineer pass, just keep that in mind with planning.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 1:12 pm to TheJunction
Telluride and Ouray are amazing and I’d spend as much time there as possible. Only thing w that area is that it’s very isolated and pretty far from Estes. I think I might prefer Frisco/Breck or Grand Lake (assuming it’s still nice after the fires...) and getting rid of the 16 hours of driving from Denver —> Telluride —> Estes, especially since you only have a few days before Estes. Even staying in Aspen over Telluride would save you about 6-7 hours of driving.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 2:50 pm to TheJunction
White water rafting
Posted on 11/3/20 at 4:00 pm to Bunsbert Montcroff
Buns - Noted. We know nothing of fly fishing, just thought it'd be something fun to do. We'll do some additional research before our trip.
Regarding the snow - are there still trails and roads closed in early June? We had family go to Estes in late June last year and there was some snow on the ground, but not enough to affect there trip in any meaningful way.
Tiger - We will not be driving both ways. Our plan is to fly from Denver to Montrose and then make the drive back to Estes. This is assuming that the flight times resemble what they were this past summer.
Going to do my research on Breck, Aspen, Grand Lake, and any other town that is recommended. Ouray and Telluride are not set in stone right now, but the more I dig into both the more I want to go!
Regarding the snow - are there still trails and roads closed in early June? We had family go to Estes in late June last year and there was some snow on the ground, but not enough to affect there trip in any meaningful way.
Tiger - We will not be driving both ways. Our plan is to fly from Denver to Montrose and then make the drive back to Estes. This is assuming that the flight times resemble what they were this past summer.
Going to do my research on Breck, Aspen, Grand Lake, and any other town that is recommended. Ouray and Telluride are not set in stone right now, but the more I dig into both the more I want to go!
This post was edited on 11/3/20 at 4:05 pm
Posted on 11/3/20 at 4:04 pm to TheJunction
I did a ton of research on stuff you’re interested in last summer (19) and ended up choosing Breckinridge
It was amazing and I can’t wait to go back. Loved the mountain biking and zip lining. Also I dug the downtown scene. They had some cool bars and restaurants
Also had a river through town and had live music every day. I also liked that it wasn’t crowded at all.
It was amazing and I can’t wait to go back. Loved the mountain biking and zip lining. Also I dug the downtown scene. They had some cool bars and restaurants
Also had a river through town and had live music every day. I also liked that it wasn’t crowded at all.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 4:41 pm to TheJunction
Rafting in the Buena Vista area.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 5:27 pm to TheJunction
I’d just spend as much time in Estes as possible and do day trips from there to both sides of Rocky
Posted on 11/3/20 at 6:21 pm to TheJunction
I’d skip Colorado Springs. The mountain towns are where you want to be.
Buena Vista is a cool small town with great hiking , fishing and rafting. Others recommended Breck, a solid choice.
RMMP is awesome, Def spend a lot of time in the park hiking and sightseeing.
I’ve never been to Telluride due to it being so far out the way. I’m sure it’s great but there are lots of great towns much closer to Estes, your destination.
Buena Vista is a cool small town with great hiking , fishing and rafting. Others recommended Breck, a solid choice.
RMMP is awesome, Def spend a lot of time in the park hiking and sightseeing.
I’ve never been to Telluride due to it being so far out the way. I’m sure it’s great but there are lots of great towns much closer to Estes, your destination.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 7:32 pm to TheJunction
Estes Park
Durango
Granby
Boulder
Aspen
Vail
Durango
Granby
Boulder
Aspen
Vail
Posted on 11/3/20 at 8:00 pm to TheJunction
Sounds like you know where you are going but I will play along. I will assume you have never been here before and won't come back.
Not sure when you arrive in Denver on the 1st but you should head south to the Springs. Drive through Garden of the Gods and hit up Pike's Peak. Dinner in Manitou Springs at Crystal Park Cantina.
2nd head south to Sand Dunes National Park. From there head over to Pagosa Springs for the night and a soak.
3rd head over to Durango then take 550 north up to Ridgeway then west over to Telluride.
4th, just stay in Telluride and relax for a day.
5th head over to Crested Butte with a quick detour to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
6th head south out of CB then go east towards Spring Creek and follow the Taylor River to Cottonwood Pass then over into BV. Here is where things get tricky. If Independence Pass is open you need to go over into Aspen and up to Maroon Bells then up valley to Glenwood for the night. If it is still closed then head up through Leadville and Minturn then Vail and over to Breck for the night.
7th you can head over to Estes through Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake then through the park to get over to Estes.
As far as fishing, early June usually sucks unless you are fishing below a damn. I would do a float trip instead of a wade trip. I have caught some hogs on the upper Colorado in May/June.
Anything high elevation will hopefully be snowed in with lower elevations mud. You will see most of the state on this route, only really missing Steamboat and Grand Nothing. It sucks here and you should tell your friends.
Not sure when you arrive in Denver on the 1st but you should head south to the Springs. Drive through Garden of the Gods and hit up Pike's Peak. Dinner in Manitou Springs at Crystal Park Cantina.
2nd head south to Sand Dunes National Park. From there head over to Pagosa Springs for the night and a soak.
3rd head over to Durango then take 550 north up to Ridgeway then west over to Telluride.
4th, just stay in Telluride and relax for a day.
5th head over to Crested Butte with a quick detour to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
6th head south out of CB then go east towards Spring Creek and follow the Taylor River to Cottonwood Pass then over into BV. Here is where things get tricky. If Independence Pass is open you need to go over into Aspen and up to Maroon Bells then up valley to Glenwood for the night. If it is still closed then head up through Leadville and Minturn then Vail and over to Breck for the night.
7th you can head over to Estes through Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake then through the park to get over to Estes.
As far as fishing, early June usually sucks unless you are fishing below a damn. I would do a float trip instead of a wade trip. I have caught some hogs on the upper Colorado in May/June.
Anything high elevation will hopefully be snowed in with lower elevations mud. You will see most of the state on this route, only really missing Steamboat and Grand Nothing. It sucks here and you should tell your friends.
Posted on 11/4/20 at 8:40 am to TheJunction
Skip Colorado Springs an stick to the mountain towns.
Take the train from Durango to Silverton
Mesa Verde is amazing, but that's a bit of a drive
ETA: and definitely take a rafting trip. We did Royal Gorge. It and the Durango train were the highlights of our trip.
Take the train from Durango to Silverton
Mesa Verde is amazing, but that's a bit of a drive
ETA: and definitely take a rafting trip. We did Royal Gorge. It and the Durango train were the highlights of our trip.
This post was edited on 11/4/20 at 8:42 am
Posted on 11/4/20 at 11:26 am to Shexter
Thank y'all very much on all the suggestions! Noted on Colorado Springs - we'll stop doing research for a multiple night stay in the area and decide on if we want to go through Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. A concert at Red Rock Canyon also looks like a unique experience that would be a lot of fun.
It sounds like Estes Park and the RMNP will be a lot of fun. Are there any specific hikes/activities/restaurants that we must see/do/eat at while we are there?
Going to do some research on Buena Vista and rafting. I assumed that rafting was out of the question because of how early we were going.
8thyear - I appreciate the breakdown. It's my job to plan the trip and naturally I prefer to stay 2-3 nights minimum and not hop around each day, but it'll be four of us flying in together and my plan is to have an outline of three or four 'trips' and let the group decide on which one we go with. So a 'loop' is something I was looking into but struggling with.
How much of an issue will the mud be in early June?
It sounds like Estes Park and the RMNP will be a lot of fun. Are there any specific hikes/activities/restaurants that we must see/do/eat at while we are there?
Going to do some research on Buena Vista and rafting. I assumed that rafting was out of the question because of how early we were going.
8thyear - I appreciate the breakdown. It's my job to plan the trip and naturally I prefer to stay 2-3 nights minimum and not hop around each day, but it'll be four of us flying in together and my plan is to have an outline of three or four 'trips' and let the group decide on which one we go with. So a 'loop' is something I was looking into but struggling with.
How much of an issue will the mud be in early June?
This post was edited on 11/4/20 at 11:27 am
Posted on 11/4/20 at 11:40 am to TheJunction
quote:
It sounds like Estes Park and the RMNP will be a lot of fun. Are there any specific hikes
Sky Pond
Posted on 11/4/20 at 11:49 am to kciDAtaE
Incredible. ~2100' elevation gain?! Might need to start training now haha. Thanks!
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