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Something I forgot to mention in my earlier post: The "San Juan Odyssey," a multi-media photographic presentation of the San Juan Mountains is being shown again in Ouray this summer (in the evening), after a 12 year hiatus. The original show was done with slides--the new with digital media.
The photographs are married with the incomparable music of Aaron Copland. If the "new" show is anything like the old one, it is a must-see. If anyone has any doubts about why so many of we native Coloradans have a passion about protecting the San Juan Mountains from the kind of crap development so common in today's Colorado, you only have to see this show once to understand why. It showcases the natural, undeveloped beauty of Colorado like no other. I remember the first time I saw this show with my now ex-wife, whose family grew up in the San Juans. She was brought to complete tears by the show--the incomparable scenery and the emotional music of Copland just touches one's heart. I hope they will put it out on DVD, but I haven't heard of any plans for that, at this point.
Dear friends, excuse for my poor English.
My name is Alessandro. I'm an Italian attorney and I will travel to Colorado on August for vacation, from 12th to 26th.
I know that it's impossible to visit a whole State in a couple of weeks. However, I'd like to see the variety of the State.
At this moment, my vacation plane is: 3 nights in Grand Junction, in order to visit Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon; 3 nights in Ouray in order to visit San Juan Mountains (I love mountains); 3 nights in Boulder, in order to see if the city is as... granola eating as you say (!); three nights in north-east, in order to see what "not touristy" Colorado is (does it exist a not touristy Colorado?).
I live in Milano, but I was born in a big city named...GENOA, and I have just known that in Colorado there is a town named...Genoa!
What about my plane? I will be very happy to receive your golden suggestions.
For example: is it more beautiful Ouray or Lake City? I like walking, not climbing...Is it worth it to visit Arches Park in Utah or Colorado National Monument is enough? I'd like to visit Aspen, but I'm not Donald Trump...As a mountain area, is it better Steamboat or Ouray/Telluride? Or maybe Crested Butte? What about "Pawnee Pioneer Trails"? Is it "true Colorado"? Is it worth to go to the Sand Hills in Ne?
P.S: I love South American culture, but I'd like to visit areas in which people speak mostly English.
God bless America and the Marshall Tucker Band!
BONGIORNO! I think it is possible to see many of Colorados popular destinations in 2 weeks, as most of the posters of answered your question I might just add that you should check out MOAB if you are going to in the direction of grand junction. I probably would not venture much into Nebraska or Utah other than that as I think we have some of the best tourist destinations all within 3 hours of Denver and the convenience of a city. If you like liberals you might even get to catch Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at the DNC on August 25-28. It's probably one of the biggest events in Colorado this year.
I know that it's impossible to visit a whole State in a couple of weeks. However, I'd like to see the variety of the State.
Here is what I would do:
Don't fly into Grand Junction. Its a waste of time and money. SLC or Denver are your best bets.
I'd fly into Salt Lake City and drive in a big loop that would let me see most of Colorado. If you drive south out of SLC toward I-70, and take a little side trip on Highway 31, you can see some truly breathtaking scenery. The trip from there to Moab, would take you through a wonderful part of the desert, and then stop in Grand Junction to see the Monument. Going south from there, I'd visit the Black Canyon, and then follow the rest of Jazzlover's directions. Flying out, you could go out of Denver or save a one way rental fee by driving back to Salt Lake on Interstate 80.
Last edited by sterlinggirl; 05-29-2008 at 10:25 PM..
Many thanks for your posts, guys!
If I'm becoming bothersome, tell me and I will fly away...
1) I have known about 4 interesting scenic bywas: Unaweep, Silver Thread, Cache La Poudre and Guanella Pass. What about them?
2) I will fly to and from Denver Airport.
3) To RangerDuke. On August 26th I will be in Denver: in your opinion, will I be clapping (outside the Pepsicenter, of course, as I'm not a supersupersuperdelegate!) Barack or Hillary?
4) To Jazzlover: in a lot of posts you said that I70 is a nightmare, during week ends. Can you confirm, please?
I-70 can have horrendous traffic on weekends--especially westbound on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and eastbound on Sunday afternoon and evening. Personally, I don't find anything scenically along the I-70 corridor that one can not find on other less-crowded alternative routes in Colorado--with the exception of Glenwood Canyon. Glenwood Canyon is nice, but is still has a damned Interstate highway that has ripped out the heart of it.
Denver looks best in the rear view--headed away. I would recommend leaving Denver on US 285 headed southwest to US 50. This road can be congested for the first 60 miles or so out of Denver, but then the traffic thins out quite a bit. It is a very scenic route out of Denver and gets you headed toward south-central and southwestern Colorado--the best parts of the state, in my opinion.
The Scenic Byways: Silver Thread is gorgeous--it would be my favorite of those you listed. Guanella Pass is quite nice, but probably not worth going out of one's way for. Cache la Poudre is also quite nice if you are in the northern Colorado area--if not, I would spend the time elsewhere. Unaweep is different--desert canyons instead of mountain canyons or high mountains. I give it pretty high marks, but it would be hot in August--great drive in the fall, though. If you don't want to take time for Arches/Moab, this will give you some feel of that type of canyon country (no arches, though). The San Juan Skyway is also outstanding--probably the most scenic of all.
You can take my recommendations for what they are worth. Others may have differing opinions. Of course, I have been traveling Colorado on business and pleasure for going on a half-century now, so I've been fortunate to drive all of those roads many times. I've gotten to the point that I avoid the main highways, especially I-70, as much as possible. There are a lot more quiet and scenic secondary roads available to get from Point A to Point B if one has the time and the inclination to explore. That is where you find the "real" Colorado, not in the "resort ghettos" along the Interstates.
You can decide exactly when and how but towns you may wish to visit, in no particular order, are: Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Lake City, Telluride, Crested Butte, Boulder, Estes Park, Vail, Breckenridge, Frisco, Manitou Springs, Creede, Crestone, Aspen, South Fork, and Moab, UT. Depending on your tastes there could be others.
Lots of driving involved but you are dealing with long distances and it will be worth it. One specific route that is magnificent is US 550 between Durango and Ouray. If you continue on in a long loop of sorts you might also include South Fork, Creede, and Lake City. Lots of beautiful mountain scenery. Telluride is kind of out of the way, but worth it. Ouray is aptly named the 'Switzerland of America' and you'll surely be happy lodging there; it also has a number of natural hot springs, all commercialized.
Crested Butte is worth the visit, although isolated, but if adventurous you might continue on a good gravel road over an easy pass on towards Carbondale, thence Aspen. Aspen might be a very expensive place but still lovely and for a tourist surely interesting. Besides which one might continue on over the very striking and beautiful Independence Pass towards Twin Lakes. From there you might loop around through Leadville, which has lots of history, to visit towns within Summit County such as Frisco. If passing through Twin Lakes there is an old lodge there that, if simple, can offer a lovely dinner and lodging for the night.
Particularly if one never has I-70, all the way from Grand Junction to Denver, can be a very interesting and lovely drive. Some have an issue with the occasional traffic and it being an interstate but it traverses some beautiful country, providing good access to some charming towns. Such places as Lake City and Vail might be quite dissimilar, but each interesting in its own right.
It can be a bit out of your way but you probably wouldn't regret spending a day or two, or three, exploring southeast Utah; it has some very unique and striking scenery. From Grand Junction you might drive west on I-70 to its junction with US 191, then this highway south to pass through Moab. Adjacent to this highway are several different beautiful national parks. You might continue south on US 191 all the way into Arizona, or cut off a bit sooner to enter southwest Colorado. If down that way a visit to Hovenweep National Monument, situated near the Utah state line in southwest Colorado, could be interesting. You would have ready access there to ancient Anasazi indian ruins, many of them well preserved. Something you surely will not forget.
If you have the slightest interest Boulder would be well worth the visit. A sophisticated town with many enticing amenities situated in a beautiful setting. Should you visit a short drive up Flagstaff mountain (directly to the west and above town) will take you to a city park (with nominal entrance fee) that enjoys a spectacular view down over Boulder and the plains beyond; also west to view the mountains of the front range.
If anywhere near Boulder it is a relatively short drive on to Estes Park. Lots of tourists in attendance come summer, but many of the most desirable places are the same . . . for a reason. Estes Park is a small town with lots of tourists shops, but its setting is absolutely magnificent. Picture postcard views in most any direction. If there you might visit the historic Stanley Hotel.
One of the main draws of Estes Park is its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. Well worth the visit, and in the summer you can drive all the way across the park on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuos road in the United States, highest elevation 12, 183 feet. Something else you surely will not forget. On the far side you might continue through Winter Park to eventually meet I-70, a possibly more interesting route through Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling to eventually meet I-70 at Silverthorne. Or at Kremmling you might opt to continue on to Steamboat Springs. This route might also, of course, be done in reverse should you choose.
Come to think of it, another interesting route is south out of Estes Park on CO 7 through Allenspark, then CO 72 through Nederland, and eventually CO 119 through Blackhawk to at last meet I-70 near Idaho Springs. Not exactly breathtaking scenery but of interest as this route parallels the mountains of the front range. At the far end you might instead turn east on US 6 through the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon into Golden. Blackhawk has become a series of huge casinos, but nearby Central City has entwined gambling with a town with still much of its authentic Colorado victorian charm. The cemetery on the far side of town is interesting too.
Obviously other possibilities exist. But if in doubt do yourself a favor and plan on a lot of driving. It might be a splendid trip.
3) To RangerDuke. On August 26th I will be in Denver: in your opinion, will I be clapping (outside the Pepsicenter, of course, as I'm not a supersupersuperdelegate!) Barack or Hillary?
Hahaha, well at this point I think Barack Obama has won the nomination. You will most certainly meet a lot of Boulder friends. Just becareful of the traffic and since you are unfamiliar with Denver there are a lot of one way streets so look for the ONE WAY --> sign before you make a wrong turn in front of the 3000 police officers that will be present that week.
I would definitely recommend going up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I haven't been up there since the late spring of '07, so I'm not sure how far into the park the pine beetles gone. I believe the eastern part of the park is still mostly pine beetle free, but I don't know what will happen by August. Estes Park is quite busy and touristy, but still a neat little town. Rocky Mountain National Park is well worth the visit. Grand County is simply gorgeous, but the pine beetle infestation has certainly knocked the scenery down a few notches.
I wouldn't worry much about the traffic on I-70 or 285 as long as you avoid the early morning's and evening's on the weekends, as a previous poster mentioned.
Have a great trip, and don't worry about asking too many questions!!
You can decide exactly when and how but towns you may wish to visit, in no particular order, are: Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Lake City, Telluride, Crested Butte, Boulder, Estes Park, Vail, Breckenridge, Frisco, Manitou Springs, Creede, Crestone, Aspen, South Fork, and Moab, UT. Depending on your tastes there could be others.
Lots of driving involved but you are dealing with long distances and it will be worth it. One specific route that is magnificent is US 550 between Durango and Ouray. If you continue on in a long loop of sorts you might also include South Fork, Creede, and Lake City. Lots of beautiful mountain scenery. Telluride is kind of out of the way, but worth it. Ouray is aptly named the 'Switzerland of America' and you'll surely be happy lodging there; it also has a number of natural hot springs, all commercialized.
Crested Butte is worth the visit, although isolated, but if adventurous you might continue on a good gravel road over an easy pass on towards Carbondale, thence Aspen. Aspen might be a very expensive place but still lovely and for a tourist surely interesting. Besides which one might continue on over the very striking and beautiful Independence Pass towards Twin Lakes. From there you might loop around through Leadville, which has lots of history, to visit towns within Summit County such as Frisco. If passing through Twin Lakes there is an old lodge there that, if simple, can offer a lovely dinner and lodging for the night.
Particularly if one never has I-70, all the way from Grand Junction to Denver, can be a very interesting and lovely drive. Some have an issue with the occasional traffic and it being an interstate but it traverses some beautiful country, providing good access to some charming towns. Such places as Lake City and Vail might be quite dissimilar, but each interesting in its own right.
It can be a bit out of your way but you probably wouldn't regret spending a day or two, or three, exploring southeast Utah; it has some very unique and striking scenery. From Grand Junction you might drive west on I-70 to its junction with US 191, then this highway south to pass through Moab. Adjacent to this highway are several different beautiful national parks. You might continue south on US 191 all the way into Arizona, or cut off a bit sooner to enter southwest Colorado. If down that way a visit to Hovenweep National Monument, situated near the Utah state line in southwest Colorado, could be interesting. You would have ready access there to ancient Anasazi indian ruins, many of them well preserved. Something you surely will not forget.
If you have the slightest interest Boulder would be well worth the visit. A sophisticated town with many enticing amenities situated in a beautiful setting. Should you visit a short drive up Flagstaff mountain (directly to the west and above town) will take you to a city park (with nominal entrance fee) that enjoys a spectacular view down over Boulder and the plains beyond; also west to view the mountains of the front range.
If anywhere near Boulder it is a relatively short drive on to Estes Park. Lots of tourists in attendance come summer, but many of the most desirable places are the same . . . for a reason. Estes Park is a small town with lots of tourists shops, but its setting is absolutely magnificent. Picture postcard views in most any direction. If there you might visit the historic Stanley Hotel.
One of the main draws of Estes Park is its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. Well worth the visit, and in the summer you can drive all the way across the park on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuos road in the United States, highest elevation 12, 183 feet. Something else you surely will not forget. On the far side you might continue through Winter Park to eventually meet I-70, a possibly more interesting route through Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling to eventually meet I-70 at Silverthorne. Or at Kremmling you might opt to continue on to Steamboat Springs. This route might also, of course, be done in reverse should you choose.
Come to think of it, another interesting route is south out of Estes Park on CO 7 through Allenspark, then CO 72 through Nederland, and eventually CO 119 through Blackhawk to at last meet I-70 near Idaho Springs. Not exactly breathtaking scenery but of interest as this route parallels the mountains of the front range. At the far end you might instead turn east on US 6 through the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon into Golden. Blackhawk has become a series of huge casinos, but nearby Central City has entwined gambling with a town with still much of its authentic Colorado victorian charm. The cemetery on the far side of town is interesting too.
Obviously other possibilities exist. But if in doubt do yourself a favor and plan on a lot of driving. It might be a splendid trip.
Dear American friends,
your suggestions sound like gospel truth to me!
Unfortunately I will remain in Colorado only two weeks, so I have to make a selection between the destinations you have suggested.
1) Before reading your posts, I intended to go to travel from Denver to Sand Hills, in order to visit a not touristy Colorado too. But now I think it would be a wasting of time, because it's a too long run. Can you suggest another way to spend at least three days avoding overcrowded spots? What about Road 141, from Gateway to Dove Creek? Is it quite tourist free?
2) As to San Juan Mountains (dear Jazzlover, you have convinced me!), I'm still uncertain between Lake City and Ouray. Searching Google Maps they look very close as the crow flies. Are they connected by a asphalted road? I'm not going to rent a 4X4...
Many thanks.
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you are so kind
Plan on a lot of driving
