Please pick 2 for me.
 

We're older and like to drive scenic roads,photograph everything, very little hiking. In September we're staying in all the main spots to see the best of Colorado Manitou,Estes,Ouray,Mesa Verde Denver.
But need to stay 2 more places.
For the most scenery, uniqeness and drives around it, would you choose:

Telluride
Glenwood Springs
Leadville
Vail
Aspen
Grand Junction
Montrose
Frisco
Idaho Springs
Basalt

THANK YOU, I really apreciate anyone
who will take the time to share their wisdom.

Frisco/Vail (close together and can count as one - and Leadville is a nice day trip from there)

Glenwood Springs/Aspen

In late September staying in Telluride and driving the loop roads between there, Ouray, Silverton and north of Durango will put you in great places to photograph aspens in fall color hues. I think this is one of the best places in Colorado that time of year.

Aspen would also be great for the Maroon Bells and aspens but we like the atmosphere in the Telluride - Ouray area much better (not as high-brow as Aspen) and feel there is more variety in scenery.

Bill

Okay, if we stayed 2 nights in Vail,
we could spend the full day exploring Leadville, and return to Vail. Thanks I think we will do that.

Some say if you are staying in Ouray which we are for 3 nights then
you should just
stop off in Telluride for a few hours.

I heard Aspen and Vail are too similar, and to do one or the other.
So we are still undecided for the second stop over, could use more ideas. THANK YOU

Aspen and Vail similar? No, not at all. If I were you, I'd choose Aspen for photography and beauty. I'd choose it over Manitou and Estes, in fact.
:)>-

<b>Some say if you are staying in Ouray which we are for 3 nights then
you should just stop off in Telluride for a few hours</b>

Yeah, that's a good plan ... maybe have lunch in Telluride, which has some good restaurants.

Bill gives you very good advice regarding visiting Telluride. Maybe you would consider one night in Telluride, two in Ouray--? It's really pretty in that part of Colorado.
:)&gt;-

Since you like scenic roads, the 'new' Glenwood canyon highway is known for its engineering and beauty. You could probably Google it, to see photos. It would be on your route, if you choose: Vail- Glenwood Springs- Aspen (or the reverse) .
:)&gt;-

I don't think Aspen and Vail are &quot;too similar&quot;. Yes, both are upscale, but Aspen is more of a town and different than Vail IMO and the surrounding countryside is not the same. As mentioned, the Maroon Bells are near Aspen and is a spectular place.

$490 Million dollars to build the
Glenwood Canyon Highway, after looking at the pictures, I can see why.

I cannot thank you guys enough for your input. We came to a final decision.

After spending time in Telluride,
we'll drive north on 133 to Aspen and spend one night, to see the Maroon Bells.

The next day, in the afternoon, we'll drive over the Glenwood Canyon Highway to Vail for 2 nights
spending the full day down 24 to Leadville.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU WERE SO HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd rank them in this order:

1) Telluride
2) Leadville
3) Basalt
4) Aspen
5) Glenwood Springs
6) Frisco
7) Idaho Springs
8) Grand Junction
9) Montrose
10) Vail

I've said it before and I'll say it again......&quot;If there ain't no snow on the slopes, and there ain't no skis on my feet, then there ain't no reason to spend time in Vail unless you just like throwing your money away&quot;.

It ain't in a particularly pretty setting, people! You'd be better off spending your 2 nights in Leadville. Cheaper, and a h3ll of a lot more scenic

If your car can make it a few miles up the rough Hagerman pass road (just out of Leadville), you might try part of this hike on your Leadville day:

http://hike.mountainzone.com/hotw/co...nel/index.html

I agree about Vail in the off-season. Not much to see there, except expensive shops and restaurants.

Instead, I'd stay in Aspen more than one night. Aspen is a favorite of mine. If it's open, and you don't mind missing Glenwood Canyon, you could drive over Independence Pass and to Leadville that way.
:)&gt;-

Where is Crested Butte in your list? The drive over Kebbler pass in September is fabulous.
I'd choose CB over Telluride, Aspen or Vail anyday.

Agreed

I looked into the Shofield and Kebbler Pass around Crested Butte,
and people describe them as Come
to Jesus roads, unpaved, unpassable and leaning. Do you have any information I'm missing on Crested
Butte for September visiting.

We still have to find the next to last place to stay, and its between
Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Crested Butte.


My husband looked at Leadville pictures and Vails and felt Leadville was more of a great day
trip, which we are going to do, but wants to stay in Vail.
I found a great rate of $170 at Sonnenalp Resort in Vail. It is
normally $400+ in season.

Thank you for all the help you've given or may give!!!!!

I am not a fan of Vail, but if you choose to stay there, the Sonnenalp is very nice. We have a meeting there every July, and we spend two or three nights. The rooms there are very, very nice.
:)&gt;-

<b>I looked into the Shofield and Kebbler Pass around Crested Butte,
and people describe them as Come
to Jesus roads, unpaved, unpassable and leaning. Do you have any information I'm missing on Crested
Butte for September visiting.</b>

Dunno where you got this information, but Kebbler Pass is a 2-wd road suited for passenger cars (unless it snows of course). 'Unpaved' yes, 'unpassable' no way, even in the family sedan ...

Bill

This is the funny story I read about the Shofield Pass road to Crested Butte, I found it on
Tripadvisor. Hope you enjoy it too.




Indeed, there is so much to say about Colorado, but when it comes to the Schofield road between Marble And Crested Butte words cannot describe the beauty. You are so taken in by it you lose all sense...well common sense anyway. It all stared out as a fishing trip at Blue Mesa outside of Gunnison. A beautiful place, one of my favorites in all of the world. We were discussing our trip back to Denver, where I have lived my entire life. When he says &quot;Hey! I have never seen Crested Butte, I would like to go there and I see a road here that will take 10 whole miles off our trip.&quot;

I agree, it would be nice to see Crested Butte again, I enjoy my visits there, so where is the harm? So we spend a few hours in the Butte and enjoy a nice lunch then head toward a town called Gothic. What a beautiful place, I could have spent days right there, but I had to be back to work the next day so time was short, so we headed out around 11:30 am.

The road got quite bumpy, but hey! We were in a Ford Ranger pickup, how bad could it get? then I began to see signs that said 4 wheel drive only, experienced drivers...blah blah. So I say to him, &quot;Any idea where you are going?&quot; Of course he did, he is a man after all! And...he had a map! Don't worry he says, remember Left Hand pass he says, that road was much bumpier he says! Alright..fine you drive I will just sit here and sulk and swallow my innards as they bounce into my throat. So we end up crossing a creek, then run into a sign that says &quot;Dry your breaks&quot; Does he dry his breaks? Oh hell no, he drives 18 wheelers for a living, why would he need to dry his breaks?

Next thing I know I am about 300 feet up on a shelf. looking down into the most pristine beautiful river I have ever seen. Sure there was a slight slant to my side off the shelf, but hey look at that gorgeous river! The plants and trees were all so breath taking, I could hardly believe a place like this existed in my own home state. I think I saw a bear, I am not sure but that is what I think. Wait...we are almost 400 feet above a raging river, in a Ford Ranger with no four wheel drive and we are sliding to the kiss your butt goodbye side of this very narrow, loose shale rock and no way another vehicle is going to pass us here place. That is when I really stopped looking at the scenery and had a come to Jesus moment.

We got to the place I now know as The Devils Punch Bowl, that is where I got out and walked! Well he kicked me out, but I was glad too! I have no idea how he got past the giant boulder that appeared to be jutting out in the middle of that trail...I call it a trail because baby...that ain't no road! Soon it widens a bit and I get back in the truck, still seeing my life just sort of flash before my eyes. Well if you are going to die, this is a great place for it! Soon we come over the top and I am staring down at what use to be someones car. That seals it for me... I know now that I am not panicking for no reason here. People drove a car off this thing!

The road over Kebler Pass (from Crested Butte to Hwy 133 at the south end of the Paonia Reservoir) is easily do-able in a passenger car as long as there hasn't been a recent heavy snowfall. It IS dirt; and may be lightly rutted or washboard in places, but the drive is one of the prettiest I can think of in the fall in Colorado. Large Aspen groves are prevelant, and in mid-September can provide beautiful golden swaths across the landscape as the road passes between the Raggeds Wilderness Area to the north and the West Elk Wilderness to the south. About 8 - 10 miles west of the pass's summit look for a sign and road (Forest Service Road 706, I believe) heading south to the U.S. Forest Service campground at Lost Lake. This little 3-4 mile spur trip takes you to pretty Lost Lake. This road may be a little more rutted and difficult than the road you've been on, but with some caution should still be passable with a passenger car.

DO NOT attempt the Schofield Pass road between the summit of the pass and the town of Marble in anything less than a high clearance vehicle, and good experience/confidence on 4-wheel drive roads by your driver. Like ehovis has posted, vehicles have plunged over the 300 foot dropoffs here, and people have died. The Schofield Pass road from Crested Butte to the ghost town of Gothic is dirt and IS passable in a passenger car. from Gothic to the summit of the pass, the road is a bit more difficult depending upon recent weather conditions. And I'll repeat: DO NOT ATTEMPT THE ROAD FROM THE SUMMIT OF THE PASS TO THE TOWN OF MARBLE IN ANYTHING LESS THAN A HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLE, AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE/EXPERIENCE.