davemeyer2433

Hi everyone. New to the forum. Hoping for some travel tips and suggestions!

I'm from NC and I am planning a trip to CO with my 2 dogs for the first 3 weeks of September 2021. I will be driving out to CO.

Interests for me while there:

1. Hiking with the dogs & definitely up for 2 day/1 night backcountry trips- I'd say keeping elevation change to 3,500' and under would be ideal
2. Mountain biking (solo and some with the dogs): I'd say keeping things to "Intermediate" trails would be best.
3. Good beer

(4. Possibly whitewater kayaking. I don't paddle often at all but I'm comfortable on Class III+ and lower. I paddled the Middle Ocoee in TN and really enjoyed it but would not want anything more challenging than the Ocoee. I'd hire a paddle guide as well to show me the lines, put ins, etc. for safety.)

Towns I'm interested in so far from my limited research (and I am very open to suggestions):

1. Crested Butte
2. Telluride
3. Aspen
4. Durango
5. Ouray and Silverton ?


Great hiking (with trails/parks that allow dogs) and backpacking with scenic views and mtn biking are the 2 biggest things I'm interested in while in CO. Any recommendations on towns, particular hikes, places to stay, mtn bike trails, local breweries, etc will all be much appreciated! Thanks.

-Dave

fmpden

You are asking a lot. You should be able to find some good guide books in your local library. You are focused on SW Colorado and unfortunately that is an area I am least familiar even after 40 years living here. But I will make some general comments. Weather wise that is probably the better part of the state for early Sep. The middle of the state and at higher elevations winter will start to crepe in and snow and cold weather is possible.

The national parks all require dogs on leash so your two dog probably will need to be on a leash most of the time. Access to the national parks has been a mixed bag of reservations, etc. As you get closer you will need to check current policy.

Whitewater anything is out by that time. Rivers will be exception low by that time and this year could be really bad. Rivers are normal low by Sep but this year we had low snow pack and an earlier spring and not much rain. There could some limited areas but you will check once you are on site but personally believe the probability is very low.

Colorado is home to more micro-breweries than any other states so your choices will be unlimited. Some of the ski areas have extensive single track trails. The chair lifts will take you and your bike (but no dogs) to the top. Don't know the policy at Telluride. Check their web site. However, in Sep the change over to winter skiing begins and some chair lifts will be down for routine maintenance and inspections.

Colorado is very scenic at that time of year with the Aspens changing in early September. Crowds are fewer but you may encounter some closed restaurants as everyone is preparing for ski season. Generally good deals on lodging and meals.

davemeyer2433

Very much appreciated- significant help and good points. I will leave the kayaking gear at home- that makes the trip easier anyway.

Thanks very much.

Rocket79

Hi there - I am planning a trip to CO (for the Aspens) this year, too. You might want to go to airbnb, type in your towns and dates, click the pets allowed tab, and see what you come up with. I did find a few that are dog friendly. Personally I wouldn't take a dog mountain biking, and as fmpden pointed out, they'll need to be leashed up - for their protection as well as for wildlife protection. And remember your poo bags.... ;-)
As for elevation, some of the towns you're looking at are located far higher than 3,000 feet.
I don't mean to be a downer! Colorado is so great and you can certainly bring your buddies, just know that there will be restrictions.

Christina

Personally, I think you should leave the dogs at home, but at least you really don't go mountain biking with dogs, two no less.

I don't really know what you mean about keeping altitude change to less than 3500' . If you mean the town itself can't be that high, that rules out every town on your list, I think. they are all maybe 8000-9500 The top of the ski mountains are usually around11K' probably?

So if you mean you just don't want to hike up more than 3500', that shouldn't be too hard. Here's a good one near Telluride, intermeidate, it's eleve gain is less than 2000' I think
https://www.telluride.com/play/activ...d-wiebe-trail/
here's another, it does allow dogs on leash, of course.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/c...falls-trail--3

Maroon Bells is an iconic hike near Aspen adn less than 1000' rise (I think). It allows dogs but only on leash
https://www.colorado.com/articles/ex...-you-need-know

I'll admit I don't know any trails that allow people to have dogs running free while they bike.

Melnq8

Please, please, please, clean up after your dog. Common sense, one would think, but as a CO resident and frequent hiker I get really tired of seeing dog shit on the trails. Or dog shit that has been picked up, bagged and then abandoned. WTF?

Okay, rant over.

Here's a list of dog friendly trails:

https://www.alltrails.com/us/colorado/dogs

I assume by elevation change you mean you don't want a given hike to be more than a 3,500 gain in elevation?

Mountain bike trails:

https://www.uncovercolorado.com/best...king-colorado/

Good beer: Everywhere

Crested Butte is hiking and biking nirvana:

https://www.mtbproject.com/directory.../crested-butte
https://travelcrestedbutte.com/crest...-hiking-guide/

As is Telluride:

https://www.telluride.com/play/activities/biking/
https://www.telluride.com/play/activities/hiking/

You'll find similar town specific sites for all spots on your list.

You've picked a beautiful time of year to explore a beautiful part of our state.