Headed to Colorado for the first time...

[poleclimber63]

Looking for some advice.

My Wife and I are flying down to Colorado next week. We only have 10 days and we want to see the best of Colorado. Unfortunately, it will be without my 4Runner. I'm hoping they're upgrade me to a 4x4 at the rental counter, by I'm not holding my breath! So please jump in and give me some opinions as to what the your prime places are in this beautiful State!

Over the years we've traveled in every Province in Canada and every State North and West of Colorado. Everyone of them have their special gems! However, for example, if I asked what the best of Utah is, I'd get a dozen different answers! So, please tell me what your favorite piece of Colorado is, and we'll do our best to find out if you're right!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[mscot]

Renting awd in summer should be no problem at all. There's a private outfit that rents geared up T4Rs if you can pay their prices.

Quick list off top of head.

Garden of the Gods and might as well drive pikes peak while near
CO National Monument
Black Canyon
Sand Dunes
Hanging Lakes
Loads of breweries

What kind of trip is this?
If you're in shape and can hike that opens up a lot of places.

 

[smallfry]

Garden of the Gods I think is a little overrated, but that's just me.

Great Sand Dune National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Ouray and Durango

 

[Khjphoto]

Best in Colorado

Go directly to Silverton/Ouray/Telluride/Durango
When in Durango ride the train.

Read my blog for great eats and trails http//www.SeeYouDownTheRoad.ORG
Read through the archives.

Have a great trip!

 

[JPOVS]

Maroon Bells.

 

[BikeDestroyer]

Go directly to Silverton/Ouray/Telluride/Durango
When in Durango ride the train.

Read my blog for great eats and trails http//www.SeeYouDownTheRoad.ORG
Read through the archives.

Have a great trip!

I 2nd this!! There are many beautiful places to go and many things to do in Colorado depending on what you like to do.

 

[poser]

Buena Vista is a really cool little town. You can rent jeeps there and hit some trails right out of town. They have river rafting too.
Someone mentioned Durango / Ouray/ etc... that area is awesome too.
Leadville is a super cool little town, highest elevation town in the lower 48. Near by you can hike Mt Elbert, the highest peak in CO and second highest in the lower 48.
If you like hiking definitely hit one of the 14ers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[poleclimber63]

Wow! Lots of opinions!

Renting awd in summer should be no problem at all. There's a private outfit that rents geared up T4Rs if you can pay their prices.

Quick list off top of head.

Garden of the Gods and might as well drive pikes peak while near
CO National Monument
Black Canyon
Sand Dunes
Hanging Lakes
Loads of breweries

What kind of trip is this?
If you're in shape and can hike that opens up a lot of places.

Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Sand Dunes are on our list! I'll have a look at the other locals you mentioned and we'll see what we can fit in!
When we fly into Denver we're renting a vehicle. When we hit Moab a few years ago with the kids we rented a Grand Cherokee--- this trip aroused my interest in owning a 4x4--- we got off the pavement and had a great time! This time around, if the opportunity presents itself (and we have the right vehicle) I would like to get off the pavement, a little! Due to time constraints, it will be mainly a road trip and we'll be stretching our legs a bit with a few trails. We live only a few hours drive from the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise etc) and always venture out several times in the Summer for some good hikes. Unfortunately, we won't have the dog with us, as he usually manages to ensure we go farther than we intend...
Thanks

Garden of the Gods I think is a little overrated, but that's just me.

Great Sand Dune National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Ouray and Durango

Rocky Mountain National Park (probably our first stop) , Ouray, Silverton and Durango are all on the list. As is Sand Dunes-- if we have time!

Thanks!

Go directly to Silverton/Ouray/Telluride/Durango
When in Durango ride the train.

Read my blog for great eats and trails http//www.SeeYouDownTheRoad.ORG
Read through the archives.

Have a great trip!

Seems my Wife knew about this train ride and has made it a priority! I had a look at some of the above vids and it looks great!
Appreciate it!!

Maroon Bells.

If we make it to Aspen, this will be on the list!
Thanks!!

I 2nd this!! There are many beautiful places to go and many things to do in Colorado depending on what you like to do.

Totally agree!

Buena Vista is a really cool little town. You can rent jeeps there and hit some trails right out of town. They have river rafting too.
Someone mentioned Durango / Ouray/ etc... that area is awesome too.
Leadville is a super cool little town, highest elevation town in the lower 48. Near by you can hike Mt Elbert, the highest peak in CO and second highest in the lower 48.
If you like hiking definitely hit one of the 14ers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It appears Leadville and Buena Vista are on the way to Ouray/Silverton/Durango, as we will be visiting Rocky Mountain National Park up North first, so we'll make it a point to stop! We definitely like hiking and plan on getting out, as much as time allows.
Awesome, thanks,

 

[poleclimber63]

We made it. Everything went smooth--- ended up with a FORD Escape-- at least it's not a Kia Rio 2dr! One day in Denver then off to Rocky Mountain National Park! Thanks again for the replies!

 

[Darren]

Enjoy the the hordes of unrelenting humanity in Rocky! Definitely my least favorite spot in the state for that reason. I'm not sure if you'd like another suggestion, or can even fit one in, but I would suggest Mt. Evans out of Idaho Springs as a must-visit. Since you may not be doing many (any?) of our great high roads via 4WD (hopefully you'll rent one for the Silverton area), this is a quick hit with a spectacular view. It's also a prime location for mountain goats, but those are best around sunrise. It's an easy way to get to 14,000'. Pikes Peak is as well, but Evans has a better view with more mountains being closer.

One other suggestion: as you'll be in the general Telluride area, might as well go there if you weren't planning on it. Be sure to take the free gondola ride and get off at the top to take in the view. I believe it's the most scenic town in the state.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[L-Force]

If you decide on going to Aspen, continue south out of town towards Independence Pass and check out Devil's Punchbowl:https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29141-d7220857-Reviews-Devil_s_Punchbowl-Aspen_Colorado.html
It is pretty cool. We stumbled across it a few years ago and always talk about it. You can find it on Google Maps. Independence Pass is a great spot for views. Have a great trip.

 

[poleclimber63]

Looks like I 've selected the right spots! Rocky Mountain N Pk, Vail, Leadville, Aspen (thru Indepenence pass), Buena Vista, Ouray/Silverton, Telluride, Sand Dunes, Colorado Springs (pikes Pk), Idaho Springs (Evans)... back to Denver...

 

[MossJenks]

Mesa Verde is super cool and it's a gorgeous drive (long - 7 or 8 hours) down there from Denver assuming you're flying in here.

 

[Off-choader]

Durango is where it's at , haven't been to mesa verde yet but i will eventually

 

["krax"]

So, if you find yourself in the Pikes Peak/Garden of the Gods/CO Springs area, there's at least one thing you've got to try and that is the "Nolt" shake at Bingo Burger in downtown CO Springs.

It's a vanilla milkshake with caramel and a shot of bourbon. You're welcome.

 

[poleclimber63]

Had a great time!!

Thanks everyone for your contribution!! I definitely used the input!

We had a great time and we want to return specifically to do some offroading---
we got a taste of it and now my Wife tells me she's up for more of it! I think I just received the green light to invest more in my 4R!! Awesome!

Unfortunately, the vehicle we rented (Ford Escape) wasn't up to anything serious. We went up some forestry roads-- access to some great lakes etc. as time permitted. I'm impressed by how developed the "sport" is, we found tons of info on trails etc and down in Durango/Ouray/Silverton, tons of Jeeps(I know, I know) to rent, however, at $179 a day that's pretty steep! Lots of people were pulling trailers loaded with ATV's in numbers I've never seen!I also was blown away by the shear numbers of FJ's, 4Runners, Tacos and Tundras on the road!! On the drive into Telluride, we passed a procession of FJ's and 4Runners the likes I've never seen --- several hundred, I swear!

The only destination we missed on our bucket list was the Dunes. Next time.

Another thing--- Holy crap is gas cheap in CO! We paid between $2.15-2.49 US Gal. which works out to $0.57(-0.65)USD per litre or $0.70CDN per litre.... I pay $1.10-1.20 per litre in BC! With the Escape, I never put more than $24USD into the tank--- wow.

Some pics:

 

[poleclimber63]

Telluride and Ouray AND some High places!

Loved this area. Million Dollar Hwy-- really great scenery!