Nelson

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.

midwest76

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.

midwest76

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

JulieEC

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.

fmpden

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.

JulieEC

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.

midwest76

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!

JulieEC

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...

Gretchen

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

Nelson

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.

JulieEC

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.

midwest76

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

BetsyG

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

Nelson

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

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.

midwest76

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.

Nelson

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!