Colorado Hiking in September
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Colorado Hiking in September
We are 4 adults, coming from the east coast, that want to see the state of Colorado in one week. We enjoy hiking, biking and kayaking or rafting, and other outdoor activities. We are in decent shape, though two of us are over 50, but we enjoy a challenge. We are flying into Denver, and were thinking we would head south to Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods), then to Canon City (Royal Gorge Park), then Cortez (Mesa Verde), then heading back up to Estes. Not sure where we should stop between Cortez and Estes. Does anyone have an opinion about the areas I listed? We were also thinking about biking down Pikes Peak. Has anyone done this with the bike tour? Is there something we should add to our list or something we listed, that we should skip? I would love to hear your opinion.
#2
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For Mesa Verde stay IN the Park at Far View Lodge. Otherwise it is a long distance in and out each day. That sounds like a lot of moving for a week.
Personally I rate RMNP far over COSprings and that area so I would reverse your itinerary.
Personally I rate RMNP far over COSprings and that area so I would reverse your itinerary.
#3
> That sounds like a lot of moving for a week
Agree, this is billed as a hiking / outdoor recreation trip, but it's really a driving trip. Cut out some portion of it. As much as I like Mesa Verde, going all the way there is too far, you won't have time to do it justice.
Consider limiting the trip to some part of the area that includes Estes, Breckenridge, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Crested Butte, Leadville. Tons to see all around that north and central part of the state, while greatly reducing the amount of driving. See which of those towns strikes your fancy and spend a few days in a couple of them instead of moving on every night.
My $0.02, for what it's worth.
Agree, this is billed as a hiking / outdoor recreation trip, but it's really a driving trip. Cut out some portion of it. As much as I like Mesa Verde, going all the way there is too far, you won't have time to do it justice.
Consider limiting the trip to some part of the area that includes Estes, Breckenridge, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Crested Butte, Leadville. Tons to see all around that north and central part of the state, while greatly reducing the amount of driving. See which of those towns strikes your fancy and spend a few days in a couple of them instead of moving on every night.
My $0.02, for what it's worth.
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I think Nelson's suggestion is right on as your trip would be spent in the car rather than outdoors and enjoying the beauty you came to see. I like Mesa Verde, too, but I agree it is too far from the other places of interest with the amount of time you have. You will have a plethora of things to do outdoors in the towns Nelson suggested. Hiking at Maroon Bells in the fall would be a highlight of the trip for me.
And, keep in mind you are coming to high altitude. Great shape or not you will feel the altitude. You may not be able to do as much as you would like.
You have chosen a beautiful time to see Colorado.
And, keep in mind you are coming to high altitude. Great shape or not you will feel the altitude. You may not be able to do as much as you would like.
You have chosen a beautiful time to see Colorado.
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Bikergirl brings up a good point--adjust to the altitude for at least a day or two. Drink FAR more water than you ever think you need or want for the entire time you are in Colorado. Don't forget the sunscreen and a hat!!
Totally agree about consolidating your trip to the more central part of the state. Mesa Verde deserves a real investment of time.
Totally agree about consolidating your trip to the more central part of the state. Mesa Verde deserves a real investment of time.
#7
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Gretchen raised good points except that you cannot adjust to the altitude in one day or even two. On average you adjust about 1000 feet per day. So if coming from sea level it would take most of the week to adjust.
Second, as others had stated it is too much territory for your time frame. Personally I would by-pass all of the Colorado Springs plans and head straight to M Verde. (And I would even consider skipping MVerde since it a long drive to and from the Denver area.) But it also a unique gem but you have to stay at least one nigh in the park. From there a swing through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Gunnison,Salida, Buena Vista - maybe a detour over Independence Pass into Aspen - or on to Leadville. The 12 mile Mineral Belt trail is a great hike - quicker on bikes. For there work you way back to Denver as time permits. Still a lot of driving.
I could also see spending a whole week just in the Breckenridge/Frisco/Vail area with day trips.
Second, as others had stated it is too much territory for your time frame. Personally I would by-pass all of the Colorado Springs plans and head straight to M Verde. (And I would even consider skipping MVerde since it a long drive to and from the Denver area.) But it also a unique gem but you have to stay at least one nigh in the park. From there a swing through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Gunnison,Salida, Buena Vista - maybe a detour over Independence Pass into Aspen - or on to Leadville. The 12 mile Mineral Belt trail is a great hike - quicker on bikes. For there work you way back to Denver as time permits. Still a lot of driving.
I could also see spending a whole week just in the Breckenridge/Frisco/Vail area with day trips.
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Not sure what rafting will be like in Sept., but a few summers ago we spent a night or two in Co. Springs (Garden and Cave/Winds), then headed to Salida for a couple days to raft Browns Cavern, then headed up to Breckenridge for the rest of the week. Nice trip. Didn't care for Salida, but liked the rafting.
If coming into Denver, though, I'd scrap Co. Springs, as others have suggested.
If coming into Denver, though, I'd scrap Co. Springs, as others have suggested.
#9
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I have decided to take your suggestions to cut out some of the driving and concentrate in a smaller area. So now I have another question, when hiking, do most people carry bear spray?....and if so, where do you get that?
#10
Glad to hear you are taking our suggestions to heart! You will have a much improved trip.
Almost no hikers carry bear spray in Colorado. In 35 years of Colorado hiking I have encountered a total of two bears while hiking on a trail. One was more interested in getting away from me than I was from him. The other crossed the trail 50 feet ahead, ignoring us while searching for wild berries.
As you start heading north into Wyoming grizzly country, then that's a different story, but I wouldn't worry much about bears in Colorado.
That said, if you feel better having some spray you can purchase it at outdoor shops like REI or sporting goods stores like Cabela's. Both are in Denver. We have others in Fort Collins, like Jax. In any case you can find it around the state. Can't travel with it on an airplane, you'll have to purchase it when you arrive.
Hope that helps.
Almost no hikers carry bear spray in Colorado. In 35 years of Colorado hiking I have encountered a total of two bears while hiking on a trail. One was more interested in getting away from me than I was from him. The other crossed the trail 50 feet ahead, ignoring us while searching for wild berries.
As you start heading north into Wyoming grizzly country, then that's a different story, but I wouldn't worry much about bears in Colorado.
That said, if you feel better having some spray you can purchase it at outdoor shops like REI or sporting goods stores like Cabela's. Both are in Denver. We have others in Fort Collins, like Jax. In any case you can find it around the state. Can't travel with it on an airplane, you'll have to purchase it when you arrive.
Hope that helps.
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Okay the more I research the more questions come up from the group....are there any moderate hikes or any kayaking to a natural hot spring?...I try to keep our hikes to 3-4 mile round trips.
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Bears, if they are going to a problem, will be a problem in spring with cubs because you can accidentally get between a mother bear and her cubs. In that case, bear spray is of little value. Being the fastest runner in your group is your best defense.
In the fall of the year mountain lions tend be a bigger problem but even that problem is very, very small. And if sticking to popular trails with lots of people - no problems. Lots of noise is your best friend - whistles, bugles, drums.
The only time I carry bear spray is on my bike for the dogs. It will drop a dog in two feet.
There are all kinds of hikes everywhere in Colorado. Bookstores, especially in Denver, are full of guide books devoted to hiking. You might even try your local library. Or look on Amazon.
I am not aware of any kayaking to a hot spring. That would be very unusual given that most hot springs are fairly small and more pool like. There is a huge, outdoor, hot springs public pool area in Glenwood Springs.
True white water rafting will be long gone by Sept - water flows will be too low. There will be some float trips available. I have been in Brown canyon in the spring time with class 3 and 4 rapids. That was challenging. But there are also float trip out of Glenwood on the Colorado River and from Idaho Springs on Clear creek. And on Gore Creek through Vail.
Earlier you mentioned biking down Pike's Peak. I would not recommend that. First, it is just an open road coming down but I think it all paved now. Use to be a lot gravel.
A better ride would be from top of Vail pass to either Vail (shorter but not all downhill) or to Copper Mt or on to Frisco. All on bike trails. Local bike shops in both Vail and Frisco will haul to the top of Vail pass.
Good luck with your planning.
In the fall of the year mountain lions tend be a bigger problem but even that problem is very, very small. And if sticking to popular trails with lots of people - no problems. Lots of noise is your best friend - whistles, bugles, drums.
The only time I carry bear spray is on my bike for the dogs. It will drop a dog in two feet.
There are all kinds of hikes everywhere in Colorado. Bookstores, especially in Denver, are full of guide books devoted to hiking. You might even try your local library. Or look on Amazon.
I am not aware of any kayaking to a hot spring. That would be very unusual given that most hot springs are fairly small and more pool like. There is a huge, outdoor, hot springs public pool area in Glenwood Springs.
True white water rafting will be long gone by Sept - water flows will be too low. There will be some float trips available. I have been in Brown canyon in the spring time with class 3 and 4 rapids. That was challenging. But there are also float trip out of Glenwood on the Colorado River and from Idaho Springs on Clear creek. And on Gore Creek through Vail.
Earlier you mentioned biking down Pike's Peak. I would not recommend that. First, it is just an open road coming down but I think it all paved now. Use to be a lot gravel.
A better ride would be from top of Vail pass to either Vail (shorter but not all downhill) or to Copper Mt or on to Frisco. All on bike trails. Local bike shops in both Vail and Frisco will haul to the top of Vail pass.
Good luck with your planning.
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Not sure what you are asking? There is an extensive pavement bike/hiking trails that connects Frisco, Dillon, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mt, and Vail. There is a section on the SE side of Swan lake that uses part of Swan lake road but nearly all of it is away from the road. The path through Breck follows the creek. Breckenridge to Frisco is mostly downhill.
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Vail has an extensive and rated network of single track that uses a lot of the skid roads on the slope areas at Vail. And the chair lifts have hooks for dragging your bike up the mountain but I don't think that is what the OP was asking about. I am sure Breck has something similar, I just don't remember it.