Our family, including 2 fiftysomethings, a 17 year old, and a 20 year old, will be spending 2 weeks in mid-August in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, including 1 week in Colorado. We will be flying into and out of Denver. We will be flying into Denver and driving close to the Tetons that day (Sat.). Sun. through Thursday we will be staying at Jackson Lake Lodge, including a day or 2 in Yellowstone. We will then drive to Moab and spend 3 nights there (Fri.-Sun.) to see Arches and Canyonlands (reservation at Mayors House B&B).

We will then have 6 nights to spend in Colorado before flying out of Denver on Sunday. We are considering the following itinerary, but would really appreciate any comments or other suggestions re itinerary, timing, and whether we are trying to see too much, as well as hotel recommendations. Our group likes relatively short hikes, but we are somewhat on the lazy side and tend to prefer scenic drives to intense climbs, etc. But I am wondering whether we are considering doing too much, versus just picking one place in Colorado and spending our time out of that base.

Monday: Moab to Colorado Natonal Monument to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, probably stay in Montrose.

Tuesday: To Aspen via US 50, Colorado 92, 133, 82.

Wednesday: Stay in Aspen.

Thurs.: Drive to Grand Lake via Leadvile, Route 91 (or 24 via Vail), perhaps drive into Breckinridge, through Winter Park, end up in Grand Lake.

Fri.): drive through RMNP and stay in/near Estes Park.

Sat.: Stay in/near Estes Park, spend time in RMNP, go into Boulder for evening.

Sun.: Drive to Denver and depart in afternoon.

We have been to SW Colorado relatively recently, which was wonderful, but otherwise have not been to the Rockies since I was a teenager.

Thank you very much!
Len

I am also trying to put together a CO itinerary for the summer. Making our way from Durango to Denver, originally I was going to stay one night in Montrose, then head to Aspen or Vail, then Denver. So it sounds a little like your plan.

Instead of Montrose, we have reservations for Cedars' Edge Llama Bed & Breakfast. www.llamabandb.com Cedaredge is a litle north and east of Delta. The hosts breed and raise llamas. This is not a recommendation as we haven't stayed here yet, but it appealed to us as a place that would offer something a little different.

Len, your itenerary looks busy, but very doable. Make sure you visit Dead Horse Point SP while in Moab. I don't know all the highway numbers, so I can't tell if you're planning this, but take Independence Pass on the way from Aspen to Leadville, if at all possible.

Hotdogz, my family stayed at the lllama B&B about 4 years ago! We enjoyed it, and even thought of picking up a llama to take home. As I recall, we were there at an odd time, and the only restaurant open was the one at the country club. We had a very nice meal at the country club. I agree with staying at the llama B&B instead of Montrose. Grand Mesa is an interesting place, well worth a visit.

travellyn, you're a great CO resource! Glad to hear you've been to the llama B&B and enjoyed it. My kids saw llamas for sale on their web site and of course thought that would be a great idea for a family pet! Lucky for me we have no way to get it home!

I know you didn't ask about this part of the trip but I really think you need to give yourself more time in Yellowstone.

We usually spend a week in Colorado each summer, mostly in the Vail-Beaver Creek area. While your itinerary is much too busy for my idea of a relaxing week in the Mountains, at least you'd get to see a lot! Another option after Aspen is Glenwood Springs then on to Vail and Breckenridge and up to Grand Lake.

As far as the hiking goes - I bought a book few years ago that listed hikes. I think the name is "Hiking with Children in Colorado" While you don't actually have children in your group, these hikes fit what you are looking for. The book has hikes all over the state with excellent directions to the trail heads.

Thanks for all of the advice! The llamas sound very interesting.

Any suggestions on hotels or B&Bs in Aspen and Grand Lake for August? Would like to keep below $200 for 4 people, though will stay in one room if we have to.

Thanks!

Len