Attention Colorado people: Give suggestions for Colorado summer trip

[Dan Druff]

My last trip was a New Year's Eve visit to Lake Tahoe. Was a fun trip. Hung out with a PFA radio listener who was also there at the same time (we had met before at the WSOP).

Nobody realized what was coming. Just 25 days later on January 26, 2020, I was at Commerce, everyone was talking about Kobe Bryant's death that day, and I noticed the place seemed unusually empty. "They're probably just depressed over Kobe and don't want to play poker," said one person at the table.

Then I looked over and saw some Asian people in masks. I recalled that weird virus we were hearing about in China -- and remembered that a lot of Commerce dealers were Chinese nationals. I thought, "It's not safe here", racked up, and haven't been back since. This was before any verified US cases.

I also haven't been anywhere else. The last time I left southern California was a Superbowl party I attended in Vegas the following week. After that, I quit all travel and all casino/cardroom visits.

But soon I will be fully vaccinated, and it's time to live life again.

The most exciting things I've done in the past 14 months were getting a root canal and colonoscopy.

Knowing that much of the country feels the exact same way, and will be similarly vaccinated, I am sure there will be massive crowds at all of the tourist spots. That's inevitable, but I want to avoid that as much as possible.

I was looking at the US map. I don't want to hassle with international travel, even to Canada, because of all the BS surrounding that right now. I don't want to go anywhere oppressively hot or humid. I settled on Colorado. It's not too far, not too close, not too hot in the summer, and I haven't seen much of it in over 35 years.

In 2013, I went to Colorado Springs for a day, and saw "Garden of the Gods" (interesting) and Pike's Peak (really cool -- the drive up, that is.)

But the rest of Colorado I haven't seen since I was last there in 1984.

For those who know Colorado, where would you suggest I go? I will have Ben and his mom with me. However, I don't want kiddy activities. I'm just mentioning this so you don't suggest casinos, or whatever.

I'm thinking I'll fly into Denver, go to Colorado Springs, then around the state, and see the various interesting places. Then I'll end up in Durango, and make my way to the north rim of the Grand Canyon (never seen that part of it), and then end up in Vegas, before driving home and dropping off the rental car.

What are some cool things to see in the state, especially stuff off the beaten path which tourists may not be flocking to? (I'm kinda afraid to go to Aspen for that reason.)

Some areas I see which might be of interest:

- Denver / Coors Field
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Colorado Springs again (Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods)
- Grand Junction (Colorado National Monument / McInnis Canyons)
- Durango
- Telluride
- Aspen / Snowmass
- Four Corners (closed right now, but hopefully it opens by summer)

Any suggestions would be great. I know relatively little about the state. In general, I like interesting natural features and scenery, especially ones with mild-to-moderate hikes. Prefer to avoid crowds and tourist traps.

Please no trolling or junk posts in this thread.

[dwai]

do not travel, shelter in place

[desertrunner]

One of my goals is the 4 corners when it opens up. I hope you can Def make that part either this trip or later in the future.

[Jayjami]

I’m working in Summit County for the next two months. Can probably put you guys up for a couple days. Hit me up when you get out of your basement.

[OSA]

Iron Mountain @ Glenwood Springs(have an interesting story there)

Great taco place 4 min drive from Iron Mtn though.

Dunno about what food places are open but Mountain Standard in Vail was amazing although they didnt have the bone marrow in Feb when I went.

[Sloppy Joe]

The Flatirons in Boulder are nice and fairly moderate. Maybe a little tough but not long. I try and do something physical shortly after I land anywhere to.shake off the flight and that's where I always go when flying into Denver.

Eldorado Canyon is also nice with moderate options. No shortage of outdoor stuff, the best aspect of the state.

Rockies games are fairly inexpensive and you can usually bank on good weather. Has been excessively windy both times I've gone so factor that in.

[limitles]

Pass on Boulder

[1marley1]

Pass on Boulder

Ignore this guy...

Also, Estes state park / Rocky Mt ntl park

Steamboat springs

Telluride

[Walter Sobchak]

Visited a few years ago.

I found the visit to the US Mint interesting.

There's also a NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory that gives tours. It's more interesting than it sounds. Ben will learn a lot about weather and the associated science, with some hands-on stuff. Book in advance.

There are also some museums dedicated to mining/geology and some restored old mining towns with an "Old West" feel.

[desertrunner]

I found the visit to the US Mint interesting.

I want to see this too.

There's also a NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory that gives tours. It's more interesting than it sounds. Ben will learn a lot about weather and the associated science, with some hands-on stuff. Book in advance.

The origin of the atomic clock, correct. I question if they even send out that signal anymore as I have a receving clock that did not update from daylight savings time.

There are also some museums dedicated to mining/geology and some restored old mining towns with an "Old West" feel.

Totally down for this, sounds ideal.

Good post Walt.

[garrett]

Get yourself an Epic Pass

It includes Mountains beyond just the Colorado big ones. You can def Max Value that. And it includes Park City utah. So there's diff says you can get your money's worth with that for sure. Maybe next year I'm going to get one but all the surgerys I've had my ACL/MCL arthro-reconstruction was 4 months ago so I just can't this year. But I do plan on getting an Epic Pass myself maybe next year when I can actually ski again some.

https://www.keystoneresort.com/plan-...-day-pass.aspx

Vail/Beaver Creek/Keystone/Breckenridge/Park City Utah/Whistler CA and others..

You can def get your money's worth/Value from an Epic Pass. It also includes some Ca ski resorts too. Also gives you good discounts off when at the resort eating etc too. It's worth it esp if you plan on actually putting in the time to Visit alot of these ski resorts. And they are some of the best too which doesn't hurt.

glgl and take some pictures =)...

[gut]

Used to live there, went through most of high school/college in the state. Mainly around Colorado Springs. The 2 things you already saw there I always thought were quite overrated. Check out Cave of the Winds. Much cooler than Garden of the Gods.

Go southwest a bit down to Canon City and see the Royal Gorge bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the country. On the way there you could also check out Cripple Creek, and old mining town thats now just casinos. But not modern builds, they're still set in the old-timey buildings (at least as of when I was last there, which was like 2006).

If you make it down to the Alamosa area, the Great Sand Dunes park is pretty cool also.

Anything east of I-25 is basically a waste of time/Kansas

EDIT: Forgot about hot springs also. Various ones (natural and not) all over the state. My favorite was the Mt. Princeton hot springs.

Also, not sure the situation after Covid, but if you or the missus wants to shop at all, the Outlet stores in Silverthorne have some good deals. Also a beautiful town on its own, and right by Breckenridge and Vail. Vail used to be the not-quite-as-chic Aspen, that also may have changed over the years.

[Walter Sobchak]

I want to see this too.

There's also a NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory that gives tours. It's more interesting than it sounds. Ben will learn a lot about weather and the associated science, with some hands-on stuff. Book in advance.

The origin of the atomic clock, correct. I question if they even send out that signal anymore as I have a receving clock that did not update from daylight savings time.

There are also some museums dedicated to mining/geology and some restored old mining towns with an "Old West" feel.

Totally down for this, sounds ideal.

Good post Walt.

Not sure if they still send out the signal. I think they do. It may be that you need to reset the clock, it depends on what model you have.

You can also call (303) 499-7111 for atomic clock time 24/7.

[Menks]

Estes Park is worth going to.

[desertrunner]

Not sure if they still send out the signal. I think they do. It may be that you need to reset the clock, it depends on what model you have.

You can also call (303) 499-7111 for atomic clock time 24/7.

Thanks, I actually did reset the clock from Oregon Scientific. I know I’m the past, it took awhile to grab the signal and self correct. I also need to put new AA back up batteries in it as well, might make a difference.

[mickeycrimm]

I-70 west from Denver to Idaho Springs which is the turnoff for Blackhawk/Central City, then thru the Eisenhower Tunnel which is over 13K elevation, then drop down to Summit County where all the little towns are over 9K above sea level, then thru Vail and on down to Grand Junction. I-70 is great for crossing the Rockies.

[Texter]

Cripple Creek to tour a mine
Walk across royal gorge bridge
Hot springs in pagosa springs, good horseback riding too
Go pan for gold

[desertrunner]

Cripple Creek to tour a mine
Walk across royal gorge bridge
Hot springs in pagosa springs, good horseback riding too
Go pan for gold

Do they have jew gold in CO?

[Walter Sobchak]

Cripple Creek to tour a mine
Walk across royal gorge bridge
Hot springs in pagosa springs, good horseback riding too
Go pan for gold

Do they have jew gold in CO?

Yeah there are a few places you can pan or go down in old mines and even get a bag of raw ore that will have a tiny amount of gold in it.

[WillieMcFML]

I’ve never been but I’m surprised no one said red rocks