What town would you stay in if...... (Estes Park, Leadville: appointed, home)

[pmjinnh]

Looking for some local knowledge.

If you were to spend one week in Colorado visiting Rocky Mountain National Park as well as hike a 14er or 2 in the Georgetown area and visit the Dillon/Breckeinridge area...and just stay in one place, what town would you choose as a home base for the week to head in these different directions?

Thanks for any thoughts on this....by the way, this would be a summer vacation.

[Billfung]

Breckenridge. Centrally located.

[pmjinnh]

How long would it take to drive from Breckenridge to Rocky Mountain National Park?

[sunsprit]

Grand Lake, or the surrounding areas. That way you're in the RMNP already, if that's the focus of your vacation.

Dillon/Silvethorne would then be a one day roundtrip adventure from Grand Lake. You'd have to choose among the 14's which were the ones you wanted to hike ... if you want to climb the collegiate's, they're South of Leadville. Not convenient to Grand Lake, but if you stay in the Dillon area, you'll be commuting every day for RMNP just to have the convenience of heading south, and still commuting to get to the big hikes.

IMO, it's all a lot to take in one week. Sorta' like heading to NYC or LA and wanting to get to all the museums in the area ...

[pmjinnh]

Thanks for those tips,sunsprit.
What is the town of Winter park like as a destination?

[Elkman]

As I've been to Winter Park often, I love it there and I believe you would have access to your needs also. You won't be disappointed.

[Maxxer]

I would put my vote in Estes Park. Located right aside the National Park and the Forest Drive loops around and you can really see a lot of things, in a day! Also, the town itself is quaint and really nice.

[steveco.]

I second grand lake. Especially over the summer. We went out there on a day trip a few years ago and it was great. There was a ton to do with festivals and the lake as well as some of the other cool towns nearby.

[JayZ750]

You'd probably be best off splitting it tow 2 cities. Otherwise, Grand Lake is your best bet. The only problem with that is it is a long drive to the other side of RMNP. The Western slope is great, don't get me wrong, but if you wanted to do any Wild Basin or Longs Peak trails, its all the way on the other side.

I'd do Estes Park for a few days and Breckenridge for a few days.

[pmjinnh]

Hey, thanks for all the tips. We decided on Grand Lake because that would be most central for all the places we plan on seeing, hiking, etc.