We will be staying a week in Vail mid August . We need suggestions for activities and trips using Vail as a base. We have already spent time in Denver and Boulder. I read about a loop to aspen... Any other ideas or suggestions?

Lots of wonderful hiking in the area. drive the Independence Pass to Aspen and then return via the Western route back to Vail. Not sure how long it would take to and return. would certainly be a long day if you spend time in Aspen.l but a very sonic one.
check out Beaver Creek.

That would be scenic not sonic!

It is two hours to Aspen via I-70. Haven't timed it over Independence Pass. Probably a little slower. The Mineral Belt trail is Leadville is one of the hidden gems in the state. The drive Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs is about as scenic as it gets. An hour beyond Glenwood Springs is our wine country. Breckenridge has the Cowboy mine. If your legs are strong you can bike to Breckenridge. There is an off road, paved bike path connecting Vail, Cooper Mt., Frisco, Keystone, and Breckenridge. If you are really lazy there are bike shops in Vail that will take you to the top of Vail pass so you can coast downhill to Vail.

An hour to Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop railroad is worth a visit, especially the mine. I cannot recommend Beaver Creek. There is not much in Beaver Creek other than a pretty glitz resort but you can ride the chair lift. I think Breckenridge is far more interesting as an old mining town. That is just scratching the surface a bit.

We have visited Vail and Beaver Creek numerous times in the summer. We like to drive south to Minturn and Leadville on day trips.

I would definitely drive to Aspen for the day.

You are not very far from lake dillon which less between the Towns of Frisco and Vail. You can rent canoes, kayaks, a small fishing boat our a pontoon boat at the Frisco Marina. The town of Frisco had a small, quaint main street. We love the local coffee shop who's name escapes me at the moment. You can rent bikes in the area as well and bike around the lake.

Aspen is definitely with a day trip.

Royal Gorge is probably a bit far for a day trip. The park sustained extensive damage by fire earlier this year but i believe the train through the gorge itself is running.

Royal Gorge a day trip from Vail?

Thanks for these suggestions!! They are fantastic! we like to hike, bike and savor wine!! we Nile a hilly 8 mile loop at home but not sure if we can do the paths in the mountains! any suggestions for low- medium intensity bike routes?

Several years ago DH and his cousins rented bikes in Vail and took them up on the gondola and road down the mountain back into Vail. He said it was lots of fun and really easy (no uphill!)

The only thing between Frisco and Vail is Copper Mt and Vail pass. Frisco sits on the west side of Dillon Reservoir (aka Lake Dillon) will Dillon on the east side of the reservoir. The reservoir is the principle water supply for Denver. The are a number of water activities on the reservoir but it is very cold and wet suits are recommended if there is any chance of going into the water - sailing for example.

Royal Gorge is over three hours from Vail so hardily qualifies as a day trip. And it was built as a tourist trap, still is, and was badly damaged during one of the recent forest fires. In its better days I would not recommend it.

You can take bikes up the gondola at Vail but it is single track that ranges from easy to challenging. You could do the paths in the mountains but the altitude will make you go much slower. Again, the ride down from the top of Vail into Vail or even Frisco is not all downhill - vast majority is but on the Vail side there are a couple of good climbs to get out of holes.

If you want to stretch your legs a bit this is a superb easy hiking area, about a half hour from Vail. You could stop there for a bit on your way to Leadville. The valley is ringed by rugged 13'ers that are more impressive than many of their more famous and taller 14'er brethren.

Mayflower Gulch Trailhead:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._Colorado.html

P.S. There are mine ruins there as well, for historical interest:
http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/mayfgul/index.htm

Have a great trip.

Thanks for all the suggestions....so much to see so little time! Would an Spen day trip trump Breckanridge ?

I believe there is a bike path along the road from Dillon to Frisco and maybe other places. Our friends had a cabin near Silverthorne and I know they biked a lot.
Biking along Route 9 from Silverthorne wouldn't be too bad as it runs along a river side.
There is fly fishing!

Glenwood Springs is an hour or so west. Depending on who is in your group, there is the adventure park/cave; springs; rafting; a couple historic hotels; and nearby Hanging Lake (great hike).

Not sure what your last post means, but Breck is a bit more authentic than Vail, historically. It has an expensive adventure park in the summer.

With reference to Gretchen comments, there is a hard surface multi user path that connects everything Keystone to Frisco to Breckenridge to Cooper Mt to Vail. Only the route to Vail is a serious challenge.

Not a day trip away from Vail, but we enjoyed renting bikes, taking them up the gondola and riding/coasting down. If you're into mountain biking, there are some challenging detours you can make off the main roads.