Road trip to Colorado...but which area?
May 29th, 2012, 07:41 PM
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Road trip to Colorado...but which area?
We just got a newish car and want to take a road trip. We are thinking it will be in August or September. We're 53 & 61 are healthy, but both have foot issues so long hikes are not in our plans. I've always wanted to go white water rafting,but haven't even gone floating in MO in 20 years,so we need a trip that wouldn't be too crazy. The hot springs sound glorious too. We love beautiful scenery for photo opps too. Oh yea, we'll be leaving the Kansas City area early Wed morning and need to be back on Sunday evening. I'm thinking Colo Springs area...Pikes Peak,Garden of the Gods..
Thanks for any input and suggestions
Bonnie
Thanks for any input and suggestions
Bonnie
May 30th, 2012, 03:14 AM
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Well, they are all good just depending on what you want to do.
Mesa Verde/Durango
Rocky Mountain National Park
Garden of Gods/Pike Peak-you could see The Great Sand Dunes too
I don't have a favorite. They are all very different, but each one is great.
of course, you have all the resorts as well-Breckenridge, Winter Park, Crested Butte, etc.
I think I would hold off until Sept for the fall folliage colors.
Mesa Verde/Durango
Rocky Mountain National Park
Garden of Gods/Pike Peak-you could see The Great Sand Dunes too
I don't have a favorite. They are all very different, but each one is great.
of course, you have all the resorts as well-Breckenridge, Winter Park, Crested Butte, etc.
I think I would hold off until Sept for the fall folliage colors.
May 30th, 2012, 03:28 AM
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You could go to Estes Park by Wednesday night. It will be longish drive, but not impossible. Or go to Boulder the first night.
Take a tour of the Celestial Seasonings plant there, and then head up to RMNP. Stay the night in Estes. Drive through the Park and back down to I70. Friday night somewhere?
Now you have Saturday to drive to Garden of the Gods and CO Springs. Drive home Sunday. Another long day, but doable.
Take a tour of the Celestial Seasonings plant there, and then head up to RMNP. Stay the night in Estes. Drive through the Park and back down to I70. Friday night somewhere?
Now you have Saturday to drive to Garden of the Gods and CO Springs. Drive home Sunday. Another long day, but doable.
May 30th, 2012, 06:25 PM
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PeaceOut, we will be there 4 nights and 3 days.
Spirobulldog, September and the foliage sounds wonderful, appx when do the leaves change?
Gretchen, your itinerary sounds great. We really would like to do a 1/2 day rafting trip and relax in a hot springs. Any suggestion to work those activities in?
DebitNM, no swelling issues, but thank you very much for the warning.
The 3 things we really want to do are: rafting, hot springs and see the mountains. Is there one part of the state that might be best for these activities?
Thanks!
Spirobulldog, September and the foliage sounds wonderful, appx when do the leaves change?
Gretchen, your itinerary sounds great. We really would like to do a 1/2 day rafting trip and relax in a hot springs. Any suggestion to work those activities in?
DebitNM, no swelling issues, but thank you very much for the warning.
The 3 things we really want to do are: rafting, hot springs and see the mountains. Is there one part of the state that might be best for these activities?
Thanks!
May 30th, 2012, 07:22 PM
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You can raft, hot spring and see mountains all in the Durango area. Mesa Verde NP is there as well and is worth seeing. Million Dollar Highway would give you stunning vistas. The town is really laid back and has nice restaurants that won't break the bank and several choices as far as hotels. You can take the Narrow Guage Rail Train too, for another way to seen the mountain views.
May 30th, 2012, 07:24 PM
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FYI -water levels drop as the summer progresses and there wasn't all that much snowpack this year, so that lowers water too. I don't think your really want whitewater rafting in any case, more a float kind of trip.
May 30th, 2012, 07:41 PM
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I'll check into Durango. Laidback is definitely our style and we love good food. We are interesting in whitewater rafting, always wanted.to do it. Is it nonexistent or just really tame due to the low water? A mountain town is more appealing to me than a city...if that makes any sense.
May 30th, 2012, 07:55 PM
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That late in the summer, it will be fairly tame unless we have lots of rain during monsoon season. That hasn't happened in over a decade though 
Tremble Hot Springs, hotsprings also in Ouray.
Apple Orchard Inn for a nice B&B
This is a bit dated, but almost everything is still around:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...by-debitnm.cfm
Tremble Hot Springs, hotsprings also in Ouray.
Apple Orchard Inn for a nice B&B
This is a bit dated, but almost everything is still around:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...by-debitnm.cfm
May 31st, 2012, 07:28 AM
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I agree Durango might be too far to drive for this trip.
Check out Steamboat Springs. It has everything you want, and is definitely 'laidback', plus hot springs. I would drive there and stay there for your visit.
Check out Steamboat Springs. It has everything you want, and is definitely 'laidback', plus hot springs. I would drive there and stay there for your visit.
May 31st, 2012, 09:41 AM
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From Colorado Springs you're only an hour to Cripple Creek? It's an historic mining town, they have a narrow gauge trail, museums and it's also on a Scenic Byway, to give you a really nice drive in the mountains.
http://www.visitcripplecreek.com/businesses/auto-tours
http://www.visitcripplecreek.com/businesses/auto-tours
May 31st, 2012, 12:29 PM
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If you do decide on Durango. checkout www.soaringcolorado.com
It is ziplinning/Train Combo. Very expensive, but we would do it again in a heartbeat. Price includes lunch, train ride, tip, etc. Very good company.
It is ziplinning/Train Combo. Very expensive, but we would do it again in a heartbeat. Price includes lunch, train ride, tip, etc. Very good company.
