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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.
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<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.
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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) .
:)>- |
I don't think Aspen and Vail are "too similar". 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.
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$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......"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". 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. :)>- |
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
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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.
:)>- |
<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 "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." 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, "Any idea where you are going?" 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 "Dry your breaks" 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. |
Thank you Furledleader, Maureen and Bill and everyone else! You really helped a lot with our itinerary for our first trip to Colorado.
Denver 2 nites Estes Park 2 nites Manitou Springs 3 nights Ouray 3 nights Mesa Verde - Far view 2 nites Glenwood Springs 1 nite Vail 2 nites just to sleep with a day trip to Leadville, Aspen, & Crested Butte. If anyone is still reading this thread, I have one small question, From Montrose to Glenwood, which is more scenic, 348 to 65 to 70, Or 50, 92, 133. We don't care about distance, we want to see the best Colorado has. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! |
Hwy 348 is a spur route between Olathe & Delta that provides access to farms and ranches in the area and offers little scenic value IMHO.
Hwy 65 will take you up & over the Grand Mesa - a HUGE plateau that overlooks the Colorado River valley to the north, and the Gunnison River valley to the south. It dominates the distant skyline in front of you as you drive north from Montrose to Delta; and out of the passenger side windows as you drive from Delta to Grand Junction. The top of the Grand Mesa is forested in pine and dotted with many lakes and National Forest campgrounds. It reminds me of my boyhood vacations spent in the northwoods of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. At the top of the mesa, a 10 mile spur road (Forest Service Road 100 - aka Lands End Road) will take you to a picturesque point at the end of the mesa overlooking the semi arid valleys of the Colorado and Guinnison below. The remainder of this route up I-70 is really rather non-descript, with the trip up and over Grand Mesa being the real highlight. Your other route (50 to 92 to 133) will take you across the semi-arid flatlands from Montrose to Delta, and similar landscape from Delta through the fruit growing region around Hotchkiss & Paonia, and the old coal mining towns of Bowie & Somerset. Only after passing through Somerset on Hwy 133 does the scenery start to pick up as you pass by the Paonia Reservoir and head through aspen & pine forest up to the summit of McClure Pass. Cresting the pass places you in a totally different world than the one you came from. Gone are the ranches and farms of the Gunnison Valley, and in front of you are the snow-capped mountains of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. At the bottom of the east side of McClure Pass, a spur road (County Road 3) heads off to the southeast for about 5 miles to the town of Marble. Mined from the mountains surrounding this hamlet was the white marble used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary, and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. If you go to Marble, ask a local how to get to the Crystal Mill (an old mill along the banks of the Crystal River just east of town that is one of the most photographed sights in Colorado), and of the feasibility of getting to it with the vehicle you are driving. After visiting Marble, backtrack west on County Road 3 to Hwy 133 again and take it north, hugging the curvy bank of the pretty Crystal River for most of the way to Carbondale. Between Marble & Carbondale, take some time to stop and explore the hamlet of Redstone. It is an old coal mining village that has morphed into an arts & crafts community. Just south of town is the Redstone Mansion (built by the coal mining baron of the region, for his wife). Most of the buildings of the town itself were built for his workers, at the demand of his wife who it is said was appalled at the conditions the workers were living in. The small houses that line the main street were for the married miners & their wives; and at the souhtern end of town a large communal dorm was built for the single workers. This dorm is now the Redstone Inn, offering quaint rooms, a nice bar, and a rather excellent dining facility. Which route should you take? I don't know. They both offer scenery that is uniquely Colorado, yet the second route offers some Colorado history along the way. |
Again thanks Furledleader,
the second route sounds more interesting and it will be the route we go. A LIFE book of "the most scenic roads in the US", listed the first route, but not the second, even though the second shows a lot more dots on the map as being scenic. After your awesome descriptions, you made our decision easy. THANK YOU ! ! ! |
If you spend a night in Glenwood, consider giong to the Hot Springs Pool if you are at all inclined.
A nice break. |
I agree about the Hot Springs Pool. Here's something I wrote, intended for another website:
Hot Springs Lodge & Pool (Glenwood Springs): http://www.hotspringspool.com/ If coming to Glenwood Springs from either the east or west via I-70, get off at exit 116. Turn north at the end of the exit ramp and go a block and a half to 6th St. Turn right (east) onto 6th St and follow it through the stoplight at Pine St./Grand Ave. (the beginning of Colorado Hwy 82). The hot springs complex will now be on your right. Follow 6th St. to North River St., turn right and drive past the front entrance of the hot springs to the parking lots that will be on your right. There is usually ample parking on site in these several lots. If you are coming into Glenwood via Hwy 82 from the likes of Aspen, Basalt, or Carbondale, stay on Hwy 82 (Grand Ave.)as it passes through the downtown area, goes over the bridge spanning I-70, and then intersects with 6th Street. Turn right on to 6th St. to N. River St. and turn right again onto N. River Street. This will then take you past the front entrance and on to the parking lots. The Glenwood Springs hot springs is the patriarch of Colorado hot springs areas. It can be seen from the expressway and the Hwy 82 bridge that spans the expressway. It has attracted people for over 120 years, including the likes of such disparate celebrities as President Teddy Roosevelt, and Wyatt Earps’ OK corral sidekick, Doc Holliday (who actually died in Glenwood Springs and is buried in the town’s cemetery). The Yampah hot springs on the eastern end of the property spills over 3 million gallons of 122 degree F. water daily into two large pools. The “therapy pool” (the small pool) is about 100 feet long, and contains 91,000 gallons of hot spring water that has been cooled to 104 degrees. The “large pool” is 405 feet long (over 100 feet longer than a football field), 100 feet wide at its widest, contains over a million gallons of water cooled to about 90 degrees F., and is billed as the largest hot springs pool in the world. It’s huge, and theoretically could hold several thousand people at one time. About 5 times a year the pools are closed for a day or two for maintenance - check the websites “pool FAQ” section to avoid any disappointment. There are separate men’s & women’s heated locker/changing/shower areas and an array of on-site spa amenities that is too exhaustive for me to expound upon. At present (Jan 2008), the spa facilities are undergoing a major renovation and I'm not sure how much is being offered. The price of admission drops by about 3 bucks after 6 p.m. in the summer, and by about 6 bucks after 9 p.m. all through the year, so even if you arrive in Glenwood late in the day, it’s still affordable. Lodging in Glenwood Springs runs the gamut from well known chains to small mom & pops. Some may offer discounts to hot springs admission. Across 6th St. from the hot springs is the associated Hot Springs Lodge. Admission to the hot springs is included in any overnight lodging there. Also across 6th St (and next to the Hot Springs Lodge) is the historic Colorado Hotel. This beautiful late-Victorian hotel sports an eye-catching lobby & courtyard, bar, spa, and fine dining restaurant. For 3 weeks in 1905 the Colorado Hotel was home to then-president, Theodore Roosevelt who was visiting on a bear hunting expedition. Legend has it that after one particular day of fruitless hunting, the hotel staff decided to try to cheer the president by sewing together a small stuffed bear out of material found around the hotel. The president was heartened by the gift, and his daughter decided to name the stuffed bear “Teddy” – and thus the origin of the “Teddy Bear”. Yampah Hot Springs Vapor Caves (Glenwood Springs) http://www.yampahspa.com/ Just east of the Hot Springs Lodge & Pool complex, at the eastern end of 6th Street. Three adjoining natural underground rock chambers provide the setting for these interesting steam rooms used by the Ute Indians for hundreds of years. Hot springs water at 125 degrees F. flows through channels in the caves, warming them to a constant, steamy 110 -112 degrees F.. Slab marble benches in the caves provide a place to sit or stretch out and relax. There are separate heated men’s & women’s dressing rooms and showers, massage rooms, mineral baths, and a salon. Admission to the vapor caves is seperate from admission to the hot springs pools. |
IMO I'd say Redstone Inn! Crystal River is beautiful...I'd also not spend more than a lunch at Telluride...not to offend any Telluride fans...
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Aspen and Vail seem so contrived to me, especially in comparison with towns like Telluride and Crested Butte.
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