5 days in Colorado
 

My boyfriend and I are planning on taking a trip to Colorado in early May (7th-11th), and I was looking for suggestions of where we should go. We'll be flying into Denver, but we plan on renting a car and driving outside of the city. We want to do outdoorsy activities and see some beautiful scenery, but we prefer to not have to drive more than a couple hours between places. I've never been to Colorado or anywhere in the west so any suggestions are appreciated!

May is becoming "mud season" in Colorado, past the peak of the ski season, but not yet into summer hiking, etc. However it can be really beautiful as the lower hills are starting to green up and there is still a lot of snow on the high peaks.

In fact a lot of snow can still be falling in early May, something to keep an eye on.

Two suggested routes for a short trip:
1) Denver - Boulder - Estes park and return. Boulder is a great town, and Estes Park will give access to the beautiful east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail Ridge Road, which crosses the Park, will still be closed in early May. However, many of the lower elevation trails should be snow-free and popular higher elevation trails will be packed down so you can walk on them (but no guarantees). From the car you will have lots of wildlife viewing opportunities and great views in all directions. You will be impressed.

2) Denver - Breckenridge - Aspen and return. Slightly farther drive up the busy I-70 corridor, but equally fantastic mountain scenery with a great number of things to do.

Check those out and see which ones resonate.

The new A line will be opening on April 22, 2016.
http://www.rtd-denver.com/a-line.shtml
If you are spending a night in Denver you could rent a car in downtown and avoid the toll roads around the airport.

You can EASILY get into Denver from the airport without going on a toll road.

..avoid the toll roads around the airport.....

Don't know why but recently folks seem to be overly concerned about toll roads in Denver.

There is only ONE toll road near the airport -north/south. The toll road is an exterior belt going about half way around Denver on the east side and north ending near Boulder. There are some tolled, reversible express lanes along north I-25 and to Boulder. But all easily avoid. You will not need the toll option offered by the car rental companies. So don't worry about toll roads around the airport - practically none.

At moment snow totals in mountains are well above average so if the tend continues there will be lots of snow in the mountains in early May. Outdoor activities in the mountains will be limited. Both Independence Pass (Leadville to Aspen) and Trail Ridge Road will be close. And, of course, it can snow. The first year we lived here, the only snow day for the local school district was May 7th. So pack your warm clothing.

I know early May is not an ideal time to go, but because of how his school break falls it's our only chance to take a trip. What are the temperatures usually like during this time? We get some pretty cold winters where we are from so I'm not too deterred by the cold. I just want to make sure there will be enough for us to do to make this trip worth it.

The probability is that day time temps should be 50s, 60,s and some 70s depending on elevation. Night time can still be 40ish or lower. BUT - and a big but - it can be very cold and snowy. There are lots of things to see and do but don't plan on hiking a fourteener. The hot springs in Glenwood Springs will be great. The ski areas - Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen will be in the charge over mood but should get great prices on lodging, restaurants, and clothing. And front range should be very nice - Denver/Boulder/Colorado Springs. Unless there was a snow the week before, our 500 miles of bike paths should be available. Just be flexible.

Should proofread - too lazy. It is change over mood from winter to summer.

fmpden is correct, there could be a huge snowstorm that covers the entire region. A lot of people have trouble imaging this in May, until they have lived here a few years. The snow melts in a few days, but if you are here at the time it can be a hassle.

Or, the snow could be only up in the mountains but not in the plains. Or, vice versa.

Or, it could be absolutely stunning blue sky the entire time. (This is perhaps most likely, but knock-on-wood, last year this was not the case).

Not intentionally giving you a non-answer, just saying why "springtime in the Rockies" means a lot of different things.

Odds are your goals beautiful scenery, short driving distances (couple of hours per day max), outdoorsy activities (hiking, mountain biking, cycling) will be met. Keep an eye on the weather and have several route options in mind.

As "youngsters" you might enjoy going to the Woodward facility at Copper Mountain for an afternoon.

http://www.woodwardatcopper.com/faci.../the-barn.html

Please note that May is not called mud season in the mountains for nothing. I lived in Summit County for several years and May is not pretty. Springtime in the Rockies really means from June on. Your best options would be the suggestion for Boulder, Estes Park area. Lots of activities and best chance for better weather.

A nice "loop" could be the Boulder, Estes Park, go through RMNP on Trail Ridge (assuming it is open), then down the west side to Silverthorne. A little trip up to Copper for Woodward and then back to Denver.

We were thinking about spending 2 nights in Estes Park area and two nights near Colorado Springs.

You might enjoy Denver proper more than the Springs.

Gretchen, the target to open Trail Ridge Road is always Memorial Day weekend. Sometimes when the snow pack is light there might make it a couple days earlier or sometimes miss the Memorial Day week. It would never be open as early as the first week of May or even the second.

There is nothing near Colorado Springs unless you are suggesting something in the mountains to the west.

We wanted to see Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak

Pike's Peak claims to be open year around - weather permitting. That is a major disclaimer. You will need to check closely to make sure it is open. The incline is a nice way to get to the top but don't the operation dates. I would rather do the incline than drive it in the winter.

I will repeat my statement--you might enjoy Denver more than what you are contemplating in CO Springs. Just my opinion.

Better info on Trail Ridge, but even a little backtracking foray into the mountains could be interesting.

In Boulder a fun tour is the Celestial Seasoning.

Those of us who live or spend a lot of time in Colorado seem to have a negative view of the Colorado Springs area. I visited years ago ( some 50 ) and loved it then, yet I have no desire to go again. However, if you are set on seeing Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak then do so. I imagine for many first time visitors it might still be enjoyable. It wouldn't be my first or even second choice but it's not my trip. Then again, I wouldn't spend much time in Denver either if I was looking for beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.

Historytraveler touches on an interesting point. And I agree with him. Not a big fan of Colorado Spring, Pikes Peak, or Estes Park either. These areas get a lot of tourist traffic. If that is all they see then they tend to hype it on travel sites because they have nothing else as a comparison. When in Colorado Spring you could throw in the Royal Gorge. I just think there are prettier areas of Colorado and I have had about 35 years to find them.

Agree with historytraveler and fmpden, adding that a first time visitor to the west should be pretty impressed by Estes Park and Colorado Springs. May can actually be prime time in Garden of the Gods on my experience visiting the Springs several times over the years, though it's been a while.

And "Pike's Peak or Bust" does have a ring to it.

I'd suggest the OP take a look at Boulder instead of CO Springs, but the plan is fine as it stands. Have a great trip.

Thank you for all of your suggestions. It is interesting to hear the perspective of someone from Colorado. As a first time traveler to the west, it's hard to distinguish what places are the most worthwhile to see.
We have not made any definite plans, and I think we will stay flexible about what we want to do. Maybe we will ask for suggestions from locals while we are there.

Would you suggest the Denver-Boulder-Estes Park or the Denver-Breckenridge-Aspen route?

I bet you'll have lovely weather. Denver has been stunning this February.

I might head out I70 a bit. Stop at Red Rocks and maybe Golden (you could tour the Coors Brewery, though I never have). Have lunch at Creekside in Evergreen and look around the town. Stop in Idaho Springs and Georgetown. If you make it all the way to Breckenridge, spend the night....or turn around before that.

Have tea and a slice of pie at the Silver Plume tea shop (also a wonderful spot for lunch).

You could take the peak to peak up towards Estes Park. I can always spend a day in this area. The scenery will be breathtaking. Come back to Denver thru Boulder.

I would do the Denver-Breckenridge-Aspen route but that time of year you will face that both Independence pass and Trail Ridge Road will still be closed. You would not be able to get through on the Peak to Peak road to Estes as Julie suggestions. But even Aspen would be a little hard to reach since the back door into Aspen over Independence pass will still be closed. You can get there via Glenwood Springs. But today you cannot get to Glenwood Springs. Early this week a massive rock slide in Glenwood Canyon closed I-70 for about a week to 10 days. It is a slow 5 to 6 hour detour around the rock slide.

Everything in Colorado depends on weather, but I have driven the peak to peak year round? It goes up thru Blackhawk, Ned, etc., not over Trail Ridge. For 15 years I lived near it.

I think we are going to do the route to Aspen, stopping in Glenwood Springs along the way. If we have time we would still like to head to RMNP. After thinking about it, we're going to skip Colorado Springs. That's terrible about the rock slide!

The Aspen route is as good as any. Glenwood Springs to me is kinda uninteresting. I'd just suggest you take your time. The fun will be in the journey.

I would skip Colorado Springs too. I agree with the suggestion to spend some time in Denver.

Rocks slide in Colorado! It's what they do...

The exhibit near Glenwood about the highway is more than worth a stop and look!

The Aspen route is a good choice. Keep the CO Springs & Estes option open if the weather or driving conditions are bad up in the mountains but nice lower down. This happens.

You might be early but you could catch the narrow window of time when you can drive the Maroon Bells road. See here for info:
https://www.stayaspensnowmass.com/ac...t-maroon-bells

The drive up the Castle Creek Road is also spectacular and thee is an interesting ghost town to visit if that has interest for you. The setting as beautiful in any case:
http://aspenhistory.org/tours-sites/...ft-ghost-town/

Simply walking the bike path in Aspen along the river is also great. Have fun.

And to reiterate, I would definitely stop at Red Rocks Amphitheater just as you begin to leave Denver and climb the hill. It's not a mile off the highway. The museum is worth a look, and the theater is beautiful.

So if the road to Maroon Bells is closed can you only reach it by hiking or snowmobiling?

Midwest- we love the pool at Glenwood. It's a little expensive but very relaxing. Breckenridge would be a good stop also.

<i> > So if the road to Maroon Bells is closed can you only reach it by hiking or snowmobiling?</i>

Yes, that is probably the case. (I don't go to Aspen that often so can't answer for sure.)

But in May the situation will likely be: not enough snow for snowmobiles, but too much for cars. However, another possibility is to use a bicycle.

I'm familiar with Colorado roads where one or two snow drifts are all the remain in the late spring, most of the road surface is clear. The Forest Service allows those drifts to melt out naturally before opening the road. That could be the case on the Maroon Bells Road. You could check with Aspen tourism folks or a bike shop if that interests you.

We would love to bike it if we could. I'm going to look into this, thanks!
I appreciate any and all suggestions of sights to see and things to do.

If cycling is appealing to you then note that ther is a 42 mile bike trail connecting Aspen to Glenwoood Springs:
http://www.traillink.com/trail/rio-grande-trail.aspx

And this connects to the trail through Glenwood Canyon, which would be awesome (I have not ridden it):
http://www.traillink.com/trail/glenw...ion-trail.aspx

The drive (or bike) up Castle Creek road I mentioned earlier is great too.

I'd stay in Aspen the whole time and blow off the idea of trying to squeeze in Estes / RMNP this trip. (Still, one or the other depending on weather and road conditions).

Also note: you will be at altitude so be aware of that. Big three are stay well hydrated, limit alcohol intake, and don't over-exert. You will feel it if you are cycling, but it shouldn't ruin the trip, just go slow.

Nature abhors a tailwind, so make sure you have a wind protection layer.

I have not biked any of those trails but if it works out for you let us know what you think!