Colorado Springs + southwest CO loop, soon!
May 27th, 2011, 02:52 PM
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Colorado Springs + southwest CO loop, soon!
I’m looking for advice and suggestions for my upcoming Colorado trip. It will be a one week loop starting and ending in Colorado Springs at the end of June/early July. We will be in Colorado Springs for the July 4 holiday and would love to hear any suggestions of things to do that day. I think there is a concert and fireworks at the AFA. Other fun activities? However, my husband and I have visited this area before so my questions are more about other parts of the trip.
We are OK with winging it to an extent. I’d like to book some lodging in advance but we are ok with staying at less desirable roadside motels for a night if need be. As far as interests and goals of the trip – we want to relax a bit and enjoy Colorado’s magnificent scenery while doing less strenuous physical outdoor activities – easy hikes, renting bikes, etc.
My rough plan to head to Aspen first and have accommodations set there. We will leave COS by noon, possibly earlier, and probably take Independence Pass. Thinking 3 nights. While in the area we will go to Maroon Bells and depending on mood, weather, etc. choose from Glenwood Hot Springs/Canyon/Caverns, Redstone, Ashcroft and of course, enjoy being in Aspen.
From there I want to head to Durango but probably not a straight shoot since there are lots of possibilities along the way like Telluride, Ouray or Black Canyon. Should I spend the night along the way before Durango? Where? What route do you recommend?
In Durango we will do the train and visit Mesa Verde. Maybe 2 nights?
From there we head back to COS, maybe stopping at Great Sand Dunes or willing to consider other ideas or routes. Maybe we’ll have a night left over to spend along the way.
I look forward to hearing suggestions from Fodorites. (Also hoping DebitNM will chime in with her expertise in this area!) Thanks!
We are OK with winging it to an extent. I’d like to book some lodging in advance but we are ok with staying at less desirable roadside motels for a night if need be. As far as interests and goals of the trip – we want to relax a bit and enjoy Colorado’s magnificent scenery while doing less strenuous physical outdoor activities – easy hikes, renting bikes, etc.
My rough plan to head to Aspen first and have accommodations set there. We will leave COS by noon, possibly earlier, and probably take Independence Pass. Thinking 3 nights. While in the area we will go to Maroon Bells and depending on mood, weather, etc. choose from Glenwood Hot Springs/Canyon/Caverns, Redstone, Ashcroft and of course, enjoy being in Aspen.
From there I want to head to Durango but probably not a straight shoot since there are lots of possibilities along the way like Telluride, Ouray or Black Canyon. Should I spend the night along the way before Durango? Where? What route do you recommend?
In Durango we will do the train and visit Mesa Verde. Maybe 2 nights?
From there we head back to COS, maybe stopping at Great Sand Dunes or willing to consider other ideas or routes. Maybe we’ll have a night left over to spend along the way.
I look forward to hearing suggestions from Fodorites. (Also hoping DebitNM will chime in with her expertise in this area!) Thanks!
May 27th, 2011, 03:20 PM
#2
Hi Hamlet -
We made a four day loop from Colorado Springs-Pagosa Springs-Durango-Telluride-Ouray-Gunnison-Colorado Springs earlier this month.
I've posted a trip report here that might give you a few ideas about routes.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...w-colorado.cfm
We made a four day loop from Colorado Springs-Pagosa Springs-Durango-Telluride-Ouray-Gunnison-Colorado Springs earlier this month.
I've posted a trip report here that might give you a few ideas about routes.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...w-colorado.cfm
May 29th, 2011, 08:52 PM
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Telluride is worth seeing - it's a lovely mountain town, and you could do some moderate hiking there. The Black Canyon is spectacular, but you have to hike down into the Canyon (and back up), which is very steep and strenuous. If you're not up for that, I'd skip it. Two nights should be enough to see Durango, which is a nice town, but not particularly large; Mesa Verde is worth a full day at least.
I definitely recommend taking the eastern route back - do stop and see the sand dunes, which are really neat and unique; maybe also stop for a soak in Pagosa Springs.
Sounds like you've mapped out a good trip!
I definitely recommend taking the eastern route back - do stop and see the sand dunes, which are really neat and unique; maybe also stop for a soak in Pagosa Springs.
Sounds like you've mapped out a good trip!
May 30th, 2011, 05:58 AM
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Telluride is a cute town to walk through but unless you are itching to spend $$$$$, not a place to shop. It doesn't take much time to see the sites, maybe add a drive through the housing area of Mountain Village - some amazing homes, also on Lost Dollar Road.
As much as Ouray, Telluride, Silverton are pretty to drive through, [Million Dollar Highway] a lot of the hiking can be very strenuous if you are not in good condition [altitude can get to you very quickly]. If you do hike, be prepared: LOTS of water [3 times as much as you think you will need], sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, chapstick]. Lack of humidity here can fool you into thinking you aren't getting dehydrated since you don't sweat.
As a local, I would suggest spending more than a day at Mesa Verde. There is so much to see and do there, and there are some great hikes to do as well. Far View Lodge for a night [if you can get a room] is a good idea, to save driving in and out of the park [45 mins each way and then another 45 minutes to Durango]. If you can't get a room at Far View, and want to do 2 days at MV, stay in Cortez as it is only 10 minutes to entrance of MV.
If you can work in a second day, do make the trip out to Wetherill Mesa, only 10% of visitors every go there [another 30 minute drive] but it is so worth it to see Long House [you can actually go into the ruins and look out and see virtually the same views as the Ancestoral Puebloans saw over 1000 years ago. Petroglyph Trail is a nice hike.
As much as Ouray, Telluride, Silverton are pretty to drive through, [Million Dollar Highway] a lot of the hiking can be very strenuous if you are not in good condition [altitude can get to you very quickly]. If you do hike, be prepared: LOTS of water [3 times as much as you think you will need], sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, chapstick]. Lack of humidity here can fool you into thinking you aren't getting dehydrated since you don't sweat.
As a local, I would suggest spending more than a day at Mesa Verde. There is so much to see and do there, and there are some great hikes to do as well. Far View Lodge for a night [if you can get a room] is a good idea, to save driving in and out of the park [45 mins each way and then another 45 minutes to Durango]. If you can't get a room at Far View, and want to do 2 days at MV, stay in Cortez as it is only 10 minutes to entrance of MV.
If you can work in a second day, do make the trip out to Wetherill Mesa, only 10% of visitors every go there [another 30 minute drive] but it is so worth it to see Long House [you can actually go into the ruins and look out and see virtually the same views as the Ancestoral Puebloans saw over 1000 years ago. Petroglyph Trail is a nice hike.
May 30th, 2011, 06:32 AM
#5
Of course everyone likes different things, so here are a couple of my thoughts.Although glenwood pool is fine, it will be very very crowded, especially in prime tourist season. our family prefers the pool at Ouray, setti ng is outstanding, water is great with little sulphur odor and far fewer people. cheaper too. We were there last year on July 3 and it was great. I agree with Debit about Telluride. For wandering, Durango 's downtown is fun.
If you're around Montrose, Black Canyon is a place to see. You can drive along it with stops for viewing. Smaller than the Grand Canyon, much narrower and shadowy, hence the name.
So many places, so little time.
Linda
If you're around Montrose, Black Canyon is a place to see. You can drive along it with stops for viewing. Smaller than the Grand Canyon, much narrower and shadowy, hence the name.
So many places, so little time.
Linda
May 30th, 2011, 06:46 AM
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FWIW, Durango's Trimble Hot Springs is a cute little spot for relaxing.
http://www.trimblehotsprings.com/
http://www.trimblehotsprings.com/
May 30th, 2011, 07:22 AM
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I don't know which Black Canyon HJU visited, but at the one in Colorado just east of the town of Montrose, you DO NOT HAVE TO HIKE DOWN INTO THE CANYON. An easy paved road takes you to various lookouts along the rim - some right next to the road, others a hundred yards or so from the road along very easy paths. Of course, if you want to hike down into the canyon, you can, but THAT hike is steep and strenuous. At the very end of the road is a nice 1.5 mile round trip hike out to Warner Point. This trail has several benches for resting along the way, but it is by no means strenuous.
Jun 1st, 2011, 04:37 AM
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Thanks all for the helpful replies. Melnq8 - also enjoyed your timely trip report. This is my plan now:
After Aspen and environs I'm thinking to see Telluride and have lunch and maybe hike, or not, and spending the night in Ouray. After this we have 3 nights before we have to return to COS.
If we drive straight to Durango then that is really a full day of driving and not enough time for stopping to enjoy anything along the way? (except the view)
Then we can head to Durango and stay there and/or in the vicinity...winging it. My guess/hope is there will always be a room somewhere if we're not picky. I'll look to book if anyplace has lenient cancellation policies. Two nights here at least.
Then final night in Durango area again, if we decide to stay longer. Or if we head back toward COS with one night to spare maybe spend that night somewhere by Sand Dunes.
What do you think?
I will have been in COS for several days already prior to Aspen so most likely used to the altitude. On the other hand, I will be coming off intense days of work and meetings and will be tired from that.
After Aspen and environs I'm thinking to see Telluride and have lunch and maybe hike, or not, and spending the night in Ouray. After this we have 3 nights before we have to return to COS.
If we drive straight to Durango then that is really a full day of driving and not enough time for stopping to enjoy anything along the way? (except the view)
Then we can head to Durango and stay there and/or in the vicinity...winging it. My guess/hope is there will always be a room somewhere if we're not picky. I'll look to book if anyplace has lenient cancellation policies. Two nights here at least.
Then final night in Durango area again, if we decide to stay longer. Or if we head back toward COS with one night to spare maybe spend that night somewhere by Sand Dunes.
What do you think?
I will have been in COS for several days already prior to Aspen so most likely used to the altitude. On the other hand, I will be coming off intense days of work and meetings and will be tired from that.
