Denver Itinerary for 3 nights 4 days
 

Our group of 3 adults in our mid twenties will be going to Denver in April 13-16, and I did go through the forums but i think i have a problem with geography and structuring the itinerary. We get in early Saturday morning and leave tuesday afternoon (so about 3 nights)

We wanted to do:


Hiking - We are beginner hikers, but RMNP or Mount Evans seems amazing for scenery. We will have a rental car (just a normal economy one, do we need an SUV?), but driving skill is a bit of a concern (I am super scared of windy roads but there's no other way to get there). Will the roads be okay in april? Are there easy paths to hike and scenic roads that we should take getting to either place? Estes Park might be easier. Horseback riding?

Hot springs (avoiding Indian Springs, it seems more people are complaining about the dirtiness) so we need to figure out if we want to do Hot Sulphur Springs, Glenwood or Mt. Princeton (the latter two are 2.5 hours I hear)

Then maybe fit in skiing somewhere (but not necessarily), since we are beginner skiiers and only think it's a bit sad to go to denver and not ski.

Are there other recommended activities? could we do a loop of colorado springs, breckenridge etc?


Also would love recommendations for food. I see Shine and Q's restaurant? Are there other options? Not necessarily fine dining but good mid-tier restaurants (ones that may not break the bank less than 50~ a person) I think we're hit a brewerie to try the local beer, which one would be recommended? Food is a main interest of ours but we do want to relax and take in the natural scenery.

We do have a hotel reservation for 3 nights in Denver, but would it be worth it to stop by a night by the hot springs?

Do something like, 1 night in denver, drive to Rocky Mountains (or a good open and easy get to hiking destination), drive to a hot springs (which might depend on recommendations to do after the hot springs or the park before the hot springs), stay a night, drive a loop and into denver for the night, and wander denver some more on tuesday?

That would mean 1.5 days ish in Denver, are there any recommended activities? Biking looks fun but 2 out of 3 of us can't bike. Shopping isn't of interest. Or do you think we can extend half a day into another excursion around Denver?

Any comments welcome!

Since you are only going to be in Colorado 3 days-you should decide which activities that you must do (hiking, hot springs, skiing, relaxing) and pick an area where you can do the ones you want so you are not spending hours in a car, IMHO. That said, see my comments below.

Hiking in the Rocky Mountains in mid-April is questionable at best. The mountains have had lots of snow in March (in fact, it snowed last night)and trails will be either snow-packed or icy or, at best, muddy and the air temperature could be chilly--depending on altitude and how shaded the trail is. There are areas that are at lower elevations (the areas just west of Denver and Boulder, for example) that might be ok. Here are some websites for some of these hiking areas.

http://www.coloradotrail.org/planning.html the Colorado trail runs very close to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs--you might check with the people there to see if the trail is hike-able now and you could also spend some time in the pools there

http://www.visitingboulder.com/hiking-in-boulder.php there are lots of trails in the foothills just west of Boulder--many beginning at Chautauqua

http://funcoloradohikes.com/tag/evergreen suggestions for hiking around Evergreen, Colorado--which is about 20 miles west of Denver

Getting to Boulder, Evergreen, and Mt. Princeton is on either 4- or 2- lane highways which should be fine unless we get an April snowstorm (which does happen)--watch the advance forecasts on the weather channel.

I, personally, would forget skiing with the short time you’re going to be in Colorado. However, it appears that Copper Mountain, Keystone, Breckenridge and Vail close on April 14, Winter Park on April 21. Loveland sometime in May. Eldora —which is 18 miles from Boulder—closing April 14.

Shine and Q’s are in Boulder. There are many, many other restaurants in Boulder—a few of our favorites—Oak on 14th, Riffs, The Kitchen, Raddo Trattoria. Denver also has many, many restaurants. A few favorites, Steubens, Ace, Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza, Bones, Deluxe, Charcoal. Here’s a website re: breweries in Denver http://www.fodors.com/news/best-micr...nver-5891.html and Boulder has lots of breweries also.

An example of an itinerary, on Sunday, drive to Boulder, ski at Eldora. Monday hike at Chautauqua and enjoy the Pearl Street Mall in the afternoon. Return to Denver on Tuesday by way of Evergreen—and do more hiking (around Evergreen Lake, if nothing else) or you could stop and see Red Rocks http://www.redrocksonline.com/ on your way back into Denver.

Another example, on Sunday, drive to Mt Princeton Hot Springs, via I-70 and ski at either Breckenridge or Copper Mountain. Stay at Mt. Princeton on Sunday and Monday nights. On Monday, hike a section of the Colorado Trail and soak in the hot springs pools after. On Tuesday, drive back to Denver on highway 285 (could stop at Red Rocks).

OK, nearly everything you have suggested is not totally workable because of the distances IF you are staying three nights in Denver. Since you are staying in Denver, you are limited to day trips of about hundred miles or so. Stay in Denver on Sunday because mountain traffic returning to Denver on Sunday is a big issue.

That time (13-15) is right on the seam between winter and spring for the mountains. Mt. Evans road and Trail Ridge Road will not be open because of snow. So that is out. Other than a few trails around the front range, Boulder, Idaho Springs, hiking in the mountains is very limited again because of snow and mud where there is no snow. One of the lead articles in today's Denver Post was the beginning of mud season and time for indoor activities. I will try find a link to the article

The major of ski areas will close on the 13th so skiing is out. You will want to avoid returning to Denver on the 14th from the mountains because the traffic jam will be endless as each ski area has a big blow out on the last day. So you should probably save skiing for the next trip.

April tends to be our wettest month starting with snow the first half and rain the second half. So you need to prepare for a wide range of weather. Two days ago was in the 70s and today's forecast is 30s with sleet and snow tonight. It is Spring time in the Rockies.

We are in Frisco/Copper now and lots of snow on the ground and a BIG spit of corn snow about an hour ago. Areas closing next weekend as others have said.
We just passed by Officer's Gulch outside of Frisco and you might look that up and see if you'd be interested in seeing the mining area around it for a short hike (I think).

I'm not sure I'd do it all as day trips from Denver either. /
Spend a night in the mountains somewhere.

Here is the link for the Mud Season article

http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles...denverpost.com

Hope you make it back, Gretchen. I-70 is now closed at Copper and Vail pass. A quick, heavy storm dumped on the area this PM. Typical spring storm in the mountains.

The Boulder area has some good low altitude (for Colorado) hiking trails...Chautauquua Trailhead, Flatirons Vista Trail etc. and are only about 35 minutes from downtown Denver. Plenty to see/do in Denver as well as Boulder.

Weather wet here in Denver now but suppose to get to mid 70's Friday. That's Colorado where the weather is completely unpredictable.

Winter Park ski area closes April 21.

We are not limited to staying all 3 nights in Denver, it's just what we reserved the hotel for, so maybe we can stay sunday outside of Denver (which was roughly the plan anyway).

We can skip skiing, if it's a hassle, I think someone wanted to do horseback riding in Este Park (which was mentioned in the mud article) not sure what else we can do there... hiking to the Alluvial Fan was mentioned in the article?


I think we just wanted to link a trip to the hot springs to hiking since the only requests I had from the other two were 1) horseback riding, picked up some groupon, 2) hot springs, 3) hiking

Can i still do martym suggestion if we move one of the hotel nights to mt. princeton?


something like that?

Saturday morning (we get in at 9am) - explore Denver
Sunday - drive to Mt. Princeton/hike if possible at colorado trail, soak in hot springs.
monday - return to denver, drive to este park (that's probably a crazy 5 hours though)Maybe should do this saturday instead.


I guess that's 5 hours driving either way i cut it though unless i ignore estes park. Haha, probably shouldn't have bought that groupon.

Sorry, I'm really bad with understanding distances and stuff ( this is why I get Fodors to school me haha).

FYI--Mt Princeton has riding stables (but no groupon) http://www.coloradotrailrides.com/ Call them to see what is available, if you're interested.

oOh, we are staying in Frisco. When DS came home last night from shopping in Silverthorne traffic was backed up to the Frisco exits. BEAUTIFUL snow!! There were apparently several bad accidents between here and the Pass.
Leaving today for Denver and then home tomorrow. The family has had a GREAT time.
Our Denver family is coming back up for the rest of the week for spring break. Great skiing for them, and no crowds. Thanks for the thought!

We will see how the Idaho Springs tunnel work affects traffic. DD went home Monday and said eastbound was pretty good (there is a detour onto a frontage road), but the westbound traffic was really a mess. This was mid-morning on Monday. I guess it could be more spring break traffic--or just regular traffic.

Your plan to do day trips from Denver to the mountains just won't work well with the Idaho Springs tunnel work--if you are going that way. The westbound traffic is backed up for about 2 miles--I guess because it narrows to one lane, while eastbound is on a 2 lane bypass road.
If you are only doing it once as it seems now, not so bad.

Yes, but they can still go up to Estes Park, do the usual loops via car,even a couple of short hikes. They could return on Peak to Peak highway which puts them in Netherland and then on to Boulder.Or return to Lyons following the Vrain River and then on to Boulder However,I think the Bouldet area itself offers pretty much what they want...minus hot springs.

Certainly no need to head up I 70,

So what is the usual loops? Boulder?

Basically could I:

saturday : explore denver

Sunday : drive to hot springs (sulfur ones probably since that's the closest one that's not the the idaho one), is there anything to do here besides the hot springs??

http://goo.gl/maps/ru4D5 (map). Tell me if you think I should add anything or have restaurants speced out as well.

Monday: drive to estes park, hike and horseback ride, drive back to boulder, eat, and then drive to Chatauqua Park? Hike one of the trails:Flatirons Vista Trail etc? Probably should just pick one when we get there. and then back to denver
Tuesday in Denver


It's probably a little ambitious but the only way to fit the hot springs in with estes park and hiking for boulder/chatautauqua park.

For loops in RMNP here are a few. I admit I've been there so much I don't pay atttention to the actual roads so these may not be exact but once through the entrance it's very easy to select several difffent roads to explore and none take very long.

Bear Lake Road
Hollowell Park
Beaver Meadows
Moraine Park and Visitor Center

Your loop won't work in April, because Trail Ridge Road won't be open. You'd have a long drive to RMNP from Hot Sulphur Springs.

Besides, Hot Sulphur Springs is a very tiny town, with nothing there but the hot springs, in the simplest 'spa' setting. It's ok, nothing fancy, but I would not drive out of my way to get there. I think the fun hot springs are places you hike to, like in Steamboat.

If you go that direction, I suggest you stay in Grand County instead of RMNP. There is lots to see there, too. Horseback riding is available at several places. The C Lazy U is a nice guest ranch, for example. I am not sure they will be geared up for horseback riding yet, though. You'd need to call around. It might be too early.

I didn't suggest a loop of Trail Ridge Road as I know that it will be closed. However, once inside the park there are several roads that wind around and through the rest the area. None of them are long and some are dead end/turn arounds, but they still provide wonderful vistas and a good overall experience. All the "loops" I mentioned are doable without doing Trail Ridge Road.

See the OP's last question.

I was having a bit of a problem understanding his itinerary anyway.;)

Oh that's not good if it doesn't make sense. What part of it is not feasible? Oh the drive loops and short hikes within Este Park which is still open. Thanks.

Well my friends said they didn't want to drive more than 3 hours and Glenwood and Mt. Princeton are that far. Never been to a hot spring so we just wanted to go to Hot sulphur since that was the closest besides the idaho one (which we didn't want to go to because of the bad cleanliness reviews).

My new itinerary had us drive directly to a hot springs (Glenwood is 208 miles away but only half an hour longer than hot sulphur springs (140 miles) on I-70E? then Estes, but we have to drive through denver and boulder because of trail road being closed.

Is that not feasible? or just a lot of annoying driving?

Or since we have to drive back to denver anyway, just start off at estes park and boulder on saturday (we get in at 8am saturday morning) and drive to the hot springs on Sunday as planned?

Hurrah! reason prevailed and now the hot springs are cut.

So thanks so much everyone! the denver, Estes Park, Boulder loop it is! (the scenic route)

Much better.

Now, I'll add one more suggestion for Boulder--a tour of the Celestial Seasonings "factory". Takes about an hour and really is fun, particularly the "mint room". With your simplified itinerary you may be able to consider it.

Where are you getting 208 miles to Glenwood Springs? At most it is 150 to 160 depending on your starting point but assumed it is the airport. But am having a hard time following your proposed route. You do not drive through Estes on the way to Glenwood Springs.

I think you aren't following well--there were some circuitous routes. BUT Glenwood IS more than 3 hours--their sort of limit.

Looks like you may need a plan B. Current forecast is for very heavy snow (14-16") in the foothills and mountains this side of the divide on Tuesday into Wed. The roads will be fine by the weekend but any hiking, even in the lower foothills, will be a problem. I was planning my last day of skiing for Wed. May not happen.

It is snowing in Winter Park now, with another storm coming this week. The OP might want to reconsider their itinerary. Skip the trip to Estes. Go to a ski area and stay all three nights, maybe.

The OP's wishlist is a summertime wish list: hiking, horseback riding, in particular. Yet he also says, "think it's a bit sad to go to denver and not ski", which is definitely true in this late spring snow season. The perfect time to try the slopes.

Or, even try Nordic skiing in place of hiking. Go to Snow Mountain Ranch or Devil's Thumb Ranch near Winter Park.

PS They could also stay in Boulder, ski at Eldora, and travel in that vicinity. Stay a night in Denver, if desired, but the Boulder vibe might be better for these 20-somethings.

Oh hmmmm, so hiking is out. (even the short hikes?) I don't think we could ski all 3 days, we are serious beginners (think bunny slopes and maybe a basic hill). Nordic skiing sounds a bit scary.

Which ski area would be the most basic? I really doubt we can attempt intermediate slope unless we have lessons. Which I'm sure many of them provide, but I'm not sure if I want to pay for it.

The GREAT thing about skiing in Colorado is they have GREAT "bunny" slopes--called "greens". You can ski literally all the way down the mountain on a green. It is a beginner's paradise. Since it is going to be so snowy, and it is the end of the season, it could be the most fun you could have. Look for discount tickets (they are everywhere). Rent. Have a great time and get really hooked!! No foolin', you all can have more fun skiing than hiking (you'd need snowshoes). Nordic skiing is flat to slope. If you all are in good hiking shape could happen. BUT, REALLY, if you are bunny slope skiers, you can have a wonderful time on greens. Don't worry about intermediate slopes--you'll have a ball and all the skiing you want.

I doubt you'd want to ski three days. Check and see if Winter Park still offers the Galloping Goose chair for free to beginners. Our kids used it. Extremely gentle slope so you can get the feel for skiing. It had a chair and was FREE back then. You could rent skis for cheap and give it a whirl

Nordic skiing on the beginner trails is really easy. Trust me. We skied a lot at Snow Mtn Ranch. There is a very easy beginner loop that is flat and takes an hour or longer if you want. But they lost a lot if trees, so I'd recommend Devils Thumb Ranch now. It has been completely renewed as a Western lodge, their Hecks Tavern is great for a bite or beer after.

Galloping Goose is $10.

Eldora is supposed to close on the 14th.

Not sure if SK Horses in Estes Park is open this time of year for horseback riding, but they are great and have two locations - one near the heart of downtown Estes Park.

http://www.skhorses.com/

Some short hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that you should be able to get to are Sprague Lake and Bear Lake. Both are spectacular in the early morning just after sunrise and make for great photographs. Both are less than a mile long.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...rague-lake.htm

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...ture-trail.htm

One of the most popular lake hikes is to Emerald Lake which is a 3-4 mile hike:

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...erald-lake.htm

Estes Park isn't necessary known for great restaurants. A popular spot for hikers is Smokin Dave's Barbecue. If you like craft beer, Estes Park Brewery has great beer...but I can't say the same about their food - just average.

Hm, so we can hike? I'm guessing with snowshoes since the snow for the weather tomorrow isn't going to melt that fast.

So does close on the 14th mean 14th is the last day or it's closed by then? Maybe we can still ski in Eldora then since it's more on the way than Winter Park and Loveland would be. (except Sunday seems to be bad?) Maybe we'll just go out of our way and loop around.

Totally interested in these "cheap tickets" for skiing haha and renting at the mountain I suppose? I heard you can rent in the city, whether boulder or denver but that may be a hassle.

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the advice, sorry that I'm just a bit scatterbrained. I didn't realize how far everything was.

If you rent for just a day, just do it at the mountain. Schools are closed today in Denver!!

Just about everything is closed or limited along the front range today. This is the first snow day this year for most of the school districts.

The advantage to renting at any sporting goods store in Denver or Boulder is that you have the equipment the day before. If you rent at the ski base, it simply adds to the time.

With the current snow, and final weekend for most areas, the ski areas will be mobbed. Last chance to ski and on fresh snow. A rarity in April.

By the weekend, the snow on the ground in Denver will be gone except for the big shoveled piles in parking lots. It is the trails in the foothills that will be the problem for hiking. Most likely the snow will remain in the shaded areas which will be most of the trails. If no snow, then it will be mud. This is a typical spring storm with lots of moisture.

I may be reading too much between the lines but am guessing that your skiing experience is really very limited. Maybe limited to one or two prior skiing experiences? True ? Sunday will be a bad day in the mountains - crowds will be huge and return traffic on Sunday PM will be impossible. However, probably will be some very good deals on Sunday night lodging. Just need to plan a little to get around some of problems that this weekend will present.

True about the weekend crowds and traffic on I-70 will be a problem, so Eldora may be your best option if you want to ski. It's close to Boulder/Denver, you won't encounter the traffic problems on I-70, and you can return to Denver or stay the night in Boulder.No need to commit to more than a day skiings if that's enough for you.

Yeah, 1 or 2 ski experiences is right. lol. Okay we may consider that then, ski in Eldora overnight in Boulder (should we reserve in advance?) onward to Estes park on monday and loop back to denver.


Thank you again so much! I love how everyone in this forum is so active and willing to offer up suggestions.