My wife, my one-year-old son and I hope to spend about ten days in Colorado in the summer. We will be flying into Denver (USAirlines FF tix), but are open as to where to go, what to see. We want to drive to the top of Pike's Peak (any info on how, when this can be done) and visit Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. Otherwise, we're completely open. We love to day-hike in the mountains. Any suggestions for good day-hikes and other things that are "must see" or "must do" in western Colorado (we don't mind doing some driving, either). Thank you.

Look into the Pikes Peak cog railway that runs to the top of Pikes Peak instead of driving. Runs from Manitou Springs starting in about mid june. Save a lot of wear and tear on you and your car plus the driver can see much more while taking the trip. Save your mountain drive for some of the high mountain passes. Suggest Trail Ridge Road between Estes Park and Grand Lake for superb scenery, wildlife etc. But there are so many such as around Silverton, Gunnison, Durango, Ouray, Telluride. Narrow gauge railroad from Silverton is a big attraction. You will need reservations quite abit ahead for that one. For hiking try the Great Sand Dunes National Monument (close to Alamosa). Hiking, boarding down 700 foot sand dunes with a magnificent mountain backdrop is pretty interesting. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an interesting sight. Mesa Verde offers a lot of hiking around old Indian ruins. If you go there stay in the park. Lots to do and see in Colorado Springs (Manitou is there). Lots of hiking to wonderful mountain lakes just above Estes Park. There is just so much you can't take it all in in just one trip. Grand place in the summer especially. You'll love it.

Just a comment about the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad trip. We just did that train trip, and the San Juan skyway route (driving) from Durango past Silverton, Ouray, Ridgeway,Telluride and to Cortez. First, I must say that the scenery was so incredibly beautiful, that I lack the words to describe it. The train was wonderful fun, but a 3 1/2 hour each way run. After a stop of about 2 hours in Silverton (a cute town), it's another 3 1/2 hours back on the train. Were we to do this again, or rather in hindsight, we would have taken the bus on the return trip. Cuts the return trip to Durango down to about an hour. If you do this train trip, and I encourage you to, ask about the bus return. Also, you can request seating in the enclosed car or the open gondola. We took the enclosed car for two reasons: the coal dust from the locomotive just covers the folks sitting in the open cars. Also, in the enclosed car seating (reserved seating) you can open the windows for the view. The folks from the enclosed reserved seating can go out to the open gondola cars and sit if there is room, but the folks from the open cars cannot sit in the reserved seating enclosed cars. Also, if you take the reserved seating, make sure you get seats on the side with the view. Also, snacks and drinks are for sale in the club car, but mucho pricey. I encourage you to bring snacks and drinks with you - even lunch if you wish. Lots of folks do. Also, make sure you take the San Juan skyway drive. It's doable in one day, if you don't spend lots of time in each town you pass. Do stop in Ouray - neat, nicely restored old Victorian town. Has a major waterfall - Box Canyon. Also, Telluride is cute, but I liked Ouray better. Durango is a main street walking city and it is filled with great shops and restaurants. If you like to get out and just stroll and browse, I would get a hotel right in downtown and not have to drive back and forth to stroll about.

Hi Scott, Lots to see and do in CO. I sent you some info on southern CO via e-mail. Re driving Pikes Peak. Great experience. Different than Cog Railway. If you are into the old steam trains and a photo buff, recommend the Cumbres & Toltec out of Chama, NM (just south of the CO border). Very friendly and encourage folks to wander around train yard while trains prepare for trip. Also much better views along road for photo if you 'chase' the train. Mesa Verde offers a lot for native American culture & ruins as well as nice hiking trails (out of campground area). Be prepared for any weather as it can snow or bake you in early spring.

Alan has the right idea with the Cog Railway, unlless you want to hike it.....just kidding, don't do that! Stay overnite in Colorado Springs. There's a lot to see. Garden of the Gods is a great place to do some light, very light, rock climbing. Your One yr old may enjoy, our at least enjoy pictures of, The North Pole. It's a small amusement park. The Seven Falls is really neat at night. If you're at all interested, on your way to the Springs and Focus on the Family, you'll see the Air Force Base. It's a neat tour. The previous messages have great advice, especially Durango, but it's a long drive (approx 8 hrs). Another favorite spot for me is Summit County, CO. 70-West, about 80 minutes from Denver. See Loveland Pass and hike around the county. Horseback riding is available and I believe Keystone and Copper Mtn both have lifts open to take you up their mountains. Call the CO travel/tourism center to get more info. Go anywhere west and south of Denver and you really can't go wrong! I'm not sure where you're from now, but give yourself time to adjust. The altitude can really exhaust you & don't forget to always have plenty of water with you. Enjoy.