Day trips from Silverthorne?
 

We're going to Silverthorne for 4 days the second week in Oct. Have only been in the area in the winter to ski so haven't driven around much. We were planning on RMNP but I guess the rd. through the park has already closed and it's probably too much driving for one day anyway. We are an early senior but physically fit couple. Any suggestions for scenic day trips would be appreciated.

Fodorites always come through. Couldn't plan a trip without all your help. Thanks so much.

I just checked the CO DOT website, and it looks like Trail Ridge Road in RMNP has opened back up for right now. You can keep an eye on Colorado road conditions at http://www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/CurrentCond/ .

Leadville and the Collegiate Mtns. area south of I-70 is also great. Wonderful views, and there should be a few Aspens still pretty. There is a short train ride from Leadville, and the Mining museum there is well worth the time. Have fun!

Summit Co. is a great place to venture out from. Yesterday we took a drive over Hoosier Pass to Fairplay which was a pretty drive. You'll pass through Breckenridge, Blue Lake and some pretty country. Fairplay is a teeny town but there is an interesting little 1880's "town" to visit. We had lunch at the Cafe, which was surprisingly delicious. Roundtrip 2 hours.

Alternatively, head west on 70 to Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Canyon is so beautiful and the town has interesting shops and restaurants. You could even head to Aspen or Snowmass on 82. Roundtrip, about 4 hours.

Lake Dillon is absolutely gorgeous. A great place to fish, kayak, canoe or learn to sail. (Many sailboats there at one of the highest marinas in the country.) There's a paved bike path that goes all the way to Breckenridge--flat, so it's perfect for easy riding. Many places to rent bikes and you can rent boats on either the Dillon or Frisco sides of the lake. The lake is somewhat down from the drought but it is far improved from the sorry state it was in a couple of years ago.

Have printed out your suggestions and will take them with me. Thank you.

Jacqueline, do not despair! Get a Colorado road map and following along with me. North out of Silverthorne on Highway 9 along the Blue River and Heeney Reservoir, is a beautiful stretch of road. Turn right (East on US40) at Kremmling and head to Granby. Granby is the site of the recent bulldozer driver gone beserk who destroyed part of the town. North on US34 to Grand Lake and the south entrance to RMNP. Trail Ridge Road is but a small part of RMNP. Still worth a look-see, even if the road is closed for the season.

I guess what I was trying to say, is that Trail Ridge Road is only closed where it starts to climb, and thats way into the park. You can still drive a significant and beautiful part of the road.

If railroads are your thing, you might want to see if the Georgetown Loop railroad is running. They do a trip with a stop at a mine and you tour the mine. Despite the publicity that this is the last year for the RR, it isn't. There will be a different service provider next year. The steam engines used currently belong to the current provider and will be moved to the Royal Gorge where the Royal Gorge will switch from diesel to steam--at least so I have heard.

If shopping is your bag, there are outlets in Silverthorne.

I agree with all the other suggestions and just was adding to them.

I home exchanged in Silverthorne several years ago and just came back from a home exchange in Sedalia (south of Denver; trip report put up elsewhere), so that is my background in all of this.

Driving the road through Independence pass can be quite "entertaining" if it is not already snowed in.