Denver area 7-9 days end mid-end of May Help
Apr 27th, 2021, 08:27 AM
#1
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Denver area 7-9 days end mid-end of May Help
Hello,
Two 71 year olds who enjoy easy hiking and outdoors (especially now) planning 7-9 days in the Denver area spurred on by visits to family. Please suggest itinerary ideas. We have been to the Telluride area and the Grand Junction areas in the past. Thanks, so much!
Two 71 year olds who enjoy easy hiking and outdoors (especially now) planning 7-9 days in the Denver area spurred on by visits to family. Please suggest itinerary ideas. We have been to the Telluride area and the Grand Junction areas in the past. Thanks, so much!
Apr 27th, 2021, 10:04 AM
#4
Would you like a gorgeous mountain ranch resort, for a romantic and outdoorsy get-away for a few nights? With all the outdoor activities you could want, plus a spa, pool, amazing service and food? A very nice place you could stay to relax and rejuvenate? Horseback riding, hiking galore, zip lining, fishing, day-trips, special events hosted for guests at the Ranch. In case of bad weather, you can have a spa day or sit by the fireplace in your room, or fireplaces inside and outside the resort buildings.
Our favorite is Devils Thumb Ranch, in Grand County.
https://www.devilsthumbranch.com
DTR is pricey, but worth it. The owners have created an eco-friendly ranch, with homegrown cattle, vegetables, horses, etc. Interiors are authentic Ralph Lauren-esque, with actual Western artifacts, but not corny or overdone. Customer service is outstanding. I would not consider DTR 'touristy', given its wide open spaces and somewhat remote location. It is a stunning property, which goes as far as the eye can see.
You can take Amtrak from Denver to Fraser. The Ranch will send a driver to pick you up.
This sounds like an ad, but DTR has been a favorite of our family since it was a cross-country ski resort operating out of a barn in the 1970s. Our daughter chose to get married there a few years ago. It was perfection.
DTR is offering special springtime rates: "Receive your third night free when your stay falls between Sunday and Thursday nights, or your fourth night free when your stay includes a Friday or Saturday night. Based on availability from April 6 through May 27, 2021."
Last edited by MoBro; Apr 27th, 2021 at 10:08 AM.
Apr 27th, 2021, 04:10 PM
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https://dayhikesneardenver.com/hikes-30-minutes-denver/
You could take a look at this site that may help with hikes.
I always think of Denver as more “big city” trip to see some sights. Golden is a cute town to walk around and was the original capital of Colorado. You could do Buffalo Bill’s grave and take a drive up Lookout Mountain. Downtown Denver has a pedestrian mall and the train station has some neat shops.
You could take a look at this site that may help with hikes.
I always think of Denver as more “big city” trip to see some sights. Golden is a cute town to walk around and was the original capital of Colorado. You could do Buffalo Bill’s grave and take a drive up Lookout Mountain. Downtown Denver has a pedestrian mall and the train station has some neat shops.
Apr 27th, 2021, 08:10 PM
#7
Not to scare you off RMNP, but: May is mud season, higher elevation trails are snowpacked, lower elevations trails are beautiful but several of the best are closed due to last year's fires, there is a two-tier permit system this year, and given all that it will still be crowded. So at most a day or two.
Great Sand Dunes is beautiful in late May, the river should be flowing. Last time we were there in May we saw Western Tanagers and the forest smelled like clove currants. Lodging is limited near the Park, but you could work out a loop that includes Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (also nice in May), the nice town of Salida, and Florissant Fossil Beds. For something different consider the detour out to Bents Old Fort in La Junta. Most people think the drive out there is beyond boring, but I don't. Expect crowds everywhere.
Safe travels.
Great Sand Dunes is beautiful in late May, the river should be flowing. Last time we were there in May we saw Western Tanagers and the forest smelled like clove currants. Lodging is limited near the Park, but you could work out a loop that includes Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (also nice in May), the nice town of Salida, and Florissant Fossil Beds. For something different consider the detour out to Bents Old Fort in La Junta. Most people think the drive out there is beyond boring, but I don't. Expect crowds everywhere.
Safe travels.
Apr 28th, 2021, 02:05 AM
#8
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I appreciate your honesty, and we do not like crowds, so this is definitely a consideration with RMNP. We are spurred on to go to see some relatives, one of whom is not well, so this timing is such. I like your idea about GSNP and that loop. Thank you Any other thoughts appreciated!
Apr 28th, 2021, 05:57 PM
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The mountains will still be late winter, early spring with lots of snow down to 6,700 feet. We had snow last night in the mountains. At this hiking anywhere in the mountains or foothills will be limited. There is a reason May is called mud season. A couple of the ski resorts are still open and you will see lots of snow if you hit Summit Cty. The road through RMNP will not be oen till Memorial Day weekend, if then. Same for some of the other high mountain passes. You will just have to hit some web sites to see what is open.
Apr 29th, 2021, 02:53 AM
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We went to DGD high school graduation a couple of years ago in Denver. It started to snow in the middle of the night and woke up to 4 inches. It was gorgeous. They swept the stands and chairs and wiped them down for a 10AM ceremony!!
Apr 30th, 2021, 04:56 PM
#13
Do be aware of potential closures on Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose.
https://heartoftherockiesradio.com/s...art-next-week/
https://heartoftherockiesradio.com/s...art-next-week/
May 2nd, 2021, 06:08 AM
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We have a tentative itinerary in our 9 night trip in/out of Denver:
1st 5 days road travel: Colorado Springs to Buena Vista to Crested Butte to Aspen to Granite to Minturn to Boulder
4 nights in Boulder
We need help with where to stay, and how long to stay, for the first 5 nights. We have a reservation for the first night in Colorado Springs.
Thank you in advance!
1st 5 days road travel: Colorado Springs to Buena Vista to Crested Butte to Aspen to Granite to Minturn to Boulder
4 nights in Boulder
We need help with where to stay, and how long to stay, for the first 5 nights. We have a reservation for the first night in Colorado Springs.
Thank you in advance!
May 3rd, 2021, 07:12 AM
#18
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Yes, I posted two threads, since there was change in plans. In fact, we have decided the the high country may be too muddy/snowy/icey and uncertain for hiking. Our new plan is: Colorado Springs, Buena Vista, Black Canyon, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Boulder for a lower elevation, "warmer" route where hiking may be more available. Really appreciate your help and we will have to return in a warmer time, although it's more crowded then I suspect.
May 3rd, 2021, 07:14 AM
#19
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Hi, The reason for 4 nights (3 days) in Boulder is because we have family in Denver and places to stay there were booked or very expensive and, also, not sure about RMNP and would just take a day trip from there. Boulder is off-season then, and some of the easier hikes will be less crowded, but not as muddy, etc. If you have any thoughts, though, they are gratefully appreciated.
May 3rd, 2021, 11:06 AM
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We keep trying to tell you that hiking is going to be very limited if not impossible. Today, Monday, it is raining hard in Denver with snow showers. The foothills and mountains have received several inches of snow and more is in the forecast. May is tough month in this area. What are your exact dates of travel? Where is the family in the Denver area? As we indicated earlier RMNP is currently using a reservation system and Trial Ridge road over the pass will not be open till around Memorial Day or later depending on late snows.
