Nedd help deciding between 2 fun Colorado day trips
 

In early August our family of four (two early 50's parents, daughter age 20, son age 16) is spending a week at a friend's vacation home near Salida, with several other families (friends from high school). One day we have these two options, and I would like to hear from others about their experiences visiting these places:

A. A drive to Aspen past Twin Lakes and over Independence Pass. Then on to a short hike around Maroon Bells. Drive back over the Pass and down to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs where you meet up with Group B.
B. A drive around the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, down the east side through Westcliffe, past towering mountains and around to the Colorado Sand Dunes National Monument. After a short hike here, drive up the west side of the Sangre range, through Salida and meet the Group A at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs for a soak in the hot soothing water.

Our family has been to Maroon Bells, but the kids were toddlers, so don't remember it, but we have some great family pics there and it might be fun to recreate them with our now young adult children.

We've never been to the Sand Dunes National Monument, but our kids loved the sand dunes in Michigan when we vacationed there a few years.

If you've been to any of these place, please give me your opinions. You Fodorites were a great help in planning our recent (Dec 2008) family trip to Spain.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

It's probably about 2 1/2 - 3 hours each way from Salida to Aspen over Independence Pass. The scenery is fantastic. Some of the road is quite narrow so be prepared for that. The last I knew--in the summer you are not allowed to drive your car to Maroon Bells but must take a bus from Aspen to the Maroon Bells parking lot.

My husband and I did an afternoon at Mt Princeton Hot Springs last Wednesday. The pools were uncrowded and quite relaxing. Chalk Creek is getting low enough that some people were in the pools along the shore of the creek.

We had lunch first in Salida--check out amica's for great pizza.

Sand Dunes are a National Park now (2004), no longer a monument. We were there a month ago. Very interesting. I would only go if the creek is running and if you have a four wheel drive vehicle to do the off road trail there. The creek usually only runs in May and June, check with the park service to see if it is running.

i love the drive over independence pass. i might not hike maroon bells in lieu of stopping several places along the river on the aspen side of the pass; a/or on the east side of the pass, just before you head up the first switch back, on the right you can walk into the valley along the stream. also the walk at the peak is fun to do.
if there is any way you can get up to leadville eat the best mexican food in the state at The Grill.

Several years ago we stopped at the grottos area on the Independence Pass road and took a short hike to an ice cave-http://forestconservancy.com/trails-information.htm?id=57 you might want to check that out on your drive.

I would do the Aspen trip. The Sand Dunes are awesome, but there is so much more on the other trip.

I'd also opt for A. Beautiful drive and the Maroon Bells are gorgeous. Think you have more options on this trip.

My family really liked the Sand Dunes, but we hiked/climbed right after a rain, that also refreshed the creek. Wet sand is much easier to climb.

Another vote for Aspen/Maroon Bells. The wet weather this year in Colorado has made for a spectacular wildflower display, and nowhere have I seen wildflowers like there were at Maroon Bells. Amazing variety and quantity! The town of Aspen is great, lots of dining and shopping. The drive over Independence Pass is quintissential Colorado scenery. I've been the to Sand Dunes and although they're interesting to see for a little while, not nearly as much to do there.

Thank you all so much for your great opinions. DH was in CO recently for business and commented on how green everything was.

Now that I'm leaning toward option A I can do more research on where to stop and what to to along the route.

THANKS!

They have had a VERY wonderful wet spring and summer--very unusual, and it is greener than maybe ever. They NEED it.

....but our kids loved the sand dunes in Michigan when we vacationed there a few years......

There is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON between the dunes in Michigan and the Sand dunes in Colorado. Michigan was a sand box in comparison. They are truly unique.

Just wanted to give a brief update of how we spent our day (yesterday). Our group of 15 decided that the trip to Aspen & Maroon Bells was too much for one day and we would feel too rushed. So we opted for the Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park. Stopped in Westcliffe for coffee and on to the dunes. The dunes are beautiful and unexpected in the middle of mountains. The creek was not running. Some of our group walked to the first, low dune. As you know, walking in dry sand is tiresome and the sand is BLAZING HOT! Do not wear sandals or footwear that allows the sand to get in. I wore Merrils with a mesh top and burned my toes! I have to admit I did not enjoy the trek across the sand and did not go as far as some, definitely NOT to any of the high dunes. Maybe that would be doable in the morning.

Upon leaving the dunes, we drove south, then on a gravel road to the trailhead for Zapata Falls. You hike about 1/2 mile, mostly uphill, on a rocky path. But it is worth it once you hit the creek and then scramble over rocks and through the water to reach the hidden Zapata Falls. The water felt refreshing on my burned toes and the temp near the falls is very cool and lovely. I would highly recommend this trek to the falls.

Guess we'll have to do Independence Pass and Maroon Bells next time.

Thanks for your suggestions!

P.S. Most of the group continued on to Mt Princeton Hot Springs and had a fabulous time there, but my carload skipped that in order to get back and prepare supper for everyone.