Coskier

Great photos Grasshopper How much longer will you be at Keystone? Heading up with my sisters and mom this weekend. Should be a perfect Colorado fall weekend.

Lenleigh, 80's one day, snow one day 70's the next. Colorado weather!

Grasshopper

I may never leave! Maybe we should meet for a drink this weekend. It's supposed to be nice this weekend. It's cold and white and cloudy now. I think we got about 5 inches overnight. They are starting to make snow at ABasin.

beachjaunt

Thanks for everyone's suggestions adn lenleigh, thanks for the pictures. I think Telluride might be the place to go. Sounds like I better visit more than once to do everything I want to do! How does this sound: I go to Telluride early November (11th) for a quick 3 nights to see the beauty of the mountains and hope for snow and maybe next year I can plan for more time in the winter. My only concern is that early November may be kinda drab if everything's brown but the crowds should be thin and prices are cheaper. How does that sound?

Coskier

beachjaunt, I am not that familier with Telluride so take this for what is worth, the mountain does not open for skiing till Thanksgiving. If it is like it is in Summit County many of the shops and resturants maybe closed. Same for services. It should be cheap though.

Coskier

Grasshopper this weekend is not good the family is coming in from Missouri and it is hard to take time from them, next weekend??

lenleigh

beachjaunt,

It looks like the Gondola will be open Nov 24th (I saw Nov 19th on another site though) for the winter season and skiing opens the same day. It's pretty accurate that there could be very little snow at that time on the mountain unless we get some serious early snow this season which is always a possibility (had to turn the heat on last night!).

Even if you go mid Nov, the aspen leaves will be gone but all the evergreen trees on the mountains will still be green. I would definitly check though on the Gondola. It's free and open during the summer and opens for winter on Nov 24th but it would be a shame not to have it running when you are there. At the top, you have some really amazing views of the mountains behind it and the town. If it's not snowy I would bundle up and head over to Bridal Veil falls. It's over 1,000 feet incline to the falls, we walked almost entirely to the top where the power house is but the last leg is pretty steep. Beautiful falls, great views of the town nestled in the mountains and the mine is really neat.

In town, we didn't get to try much but they have some great restaurants. Lots of spas too if you like to be pampered. Next time we go I want to see the history museum there which looked interesting. Summer is a fantastic time to go because everything is so green, great weather and they have festivals all the time. Just be careful driving if it is snowy because the roads can be dangerous outside of Telluride. Check out this website, you might like some of the info they have about the town and attractions.

http://www.visittelluride.com/index.html

LarryT

Don't know where you are from but, looking at your screen name, you may be from sea level? Colorado is fantastic! Don't think there is any bad choice as to where to visit. However, everything seems to be at high altitude and hikes are seemingly all uphill. Be prepared to pant and experience loss of breath. At higher locals, 'altitude sickness' can be a problem - even serious if not prepared. Come on out and enjoy but don't try to bite off too much in such a short trip.

sjde53

Estes Park would not be a good location if you want to ski. Nearest ski area is Eldora, outside of Boulder, and it's probably 45 minutes away. But we are there a lot and in November you can usually hike in the lower elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park. In the higher elevations (around Bear Lake at 9500 ft.) you can either hike or snowshoe, depending on what the recent weather has been like. It's not true all the roads into the park are closed by then! Just Trail Ridge Road to the top and over to the other side. They usually close it about 10 miles in.

There are some romantic cabins with or without fireplaces that are reasonable. Our favorite is the Shawnee (can see photos on vrbo.com) or Pine Tree Cabins. I think Glacier Lodge is closed that time of year. The YMCA isn't bad either.

Sue

HRS430

I am in a similar situation to beachjaunt, although I will stay for a week, and I do ski. It has been a long time dream to visit Colorado, and I am finally doing it the 2nd week in Nov as well. I found the replies very informative, and plan on using my newly acquired information to make the most of my visit. The one question that was brought to my attention is if I might encounter any serious weather problems driving from Denver to Steamboat - the second week in Nov that may cause me to revise my itinerary?

I am also planning to visit Glenwood Canyon - I 70 Highway project to check it out as I wrote a term paper for my Environmental Engineering class on it.

Any opinions or suggestions that can be passed on would be greatly appreciated

starrsville

I second Travellyn's suggestions. I would definitely do Durango and make sure to schedule a visit to Mesa Verde, no matter what. The Ouray drive is spectacular. If the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railway is still running, take a ride. The trip along the Animas River is fantastic. One of my favorite Colorado memories was a moonlit sleigh ride through the pines that included a steak or chicken "cowboy" dinner in a secluded cabin (BYOB). I doubt there would be enough snow for that. Durango is a pretty little town to wander around it and coming from Texas you'll be amazed when you look up and see the mountains surrounding you.

PS - I didn't think I'd miss ANYTHING about Texas, but I did miss the 180 degree big blue sky running from horizon to horizon. That was the good thing about the flat land. The bad thing about the flat land was no hills or trees (to speak of).

Depending on your drive route, you may want to stop at Great Sand Dunes NP. Maybe you could drive up on the east side of the state, head west to Durango and then come south toward Santa Fe. That would be a gorgeous drive!

lenleigh

HRS,

The weather would be really difficult to predict. I've been reading articles about the possibility of a really snowy winter but that will remain to be seen. I don't think there is much snow in the mountains at this point but we are due to get some from the storm that just hit California. Usually, you wouldn't really have to worry much about the roads in early Nov but you'll just have to check the weather reports when it gets closer.

MaureenB

HRS, you will be impressed with the beauty of Glenwood Canyon, especially if you've researched its background. It is quite an engineering feat. I've always wondered about its environmental impact, though.
If you're heading that way, why not go on to Aspen, instead of Steamboat? Wouldn't that make more sense on a map? (I could be wrong.) They are both great places to visit, either way.
We've been getting early snow in the Colorado mtns., and more predicted for this evening. But you never know how the season will go. Early November is always anyone's guess.
Maybe post your own trip question for more help in planning.
Have fun!