Will be staying in Alma/Fairplay next week - Any activity recommendations? (Colorado Springs: to rent)

[KJH89]

Hi, everyone. We are meeting family in Colorado next week and couldn't be more excited.

We love to be outdoors, so there seems to be no lack of opportunities to hike while there.

Are there any activities or things to see within an hour drive that may not show up online or may be a little under the radar?

We're not really into touristy things.

We won't have our bikes with us, but I'm sure one day we'll rent some mountain bikes. Also, I am sure we'll visit Breckenridge, maybe Silverthorne. Is Colorado Springs worth the drive?

I wouldn't say we're museum people, or love to shop, or are that interested in getting hammered. We just want to be outside and hike, and avoid tour guides. haha

Thanks for any help! You are very lucky to live in Colorado.

[NW Crow]

You might already know about many or all of these options but these are the things that come to mind:

Montgomery Reservoir (on it or just beside it, mountain views)
panning for gold near Buena Vista
half-day in downtown Leadville
South Park city museum (old west buildings)
fishing at Eleven Mile Reservoir
drive to and from Salida for the mountain views and poking around
Arkansas River trips (and / or hiking in Browns Canyon near Salida)
Mt Princeton hot springs resort
4 wheel to Tin Cup Pass
mushroom hunting?

High Creek Fen | Colorado.com
High Creek Fen Preserve | The Nature Conservancy

[TCHP]

Outdoor activity in Fairplay/Alma...if that's what you want that's what you'll have. It isn't really a tourist haven. So are you talking about an hours drive from Fairplay? Coming from Oregon, you will have altitude to deal with, so don't push it to hard too soon. Alma is the highest incorporated town the US and Fairplay isn't much lower.

In town, there is South Park City. It is a self guided reproduction of an 1880s mining town, so it is a museum, but a fairly atypical museum with dirt roads, boardwalk and a train you can climb all over.

Fishing up any of the creeks or the South Platte is possible. There are plenty.

There is a place to rent ski equipment in Fairplay. Not sure if they change this to Mtn bikes in the summer, but you might check. Definetely can get them over in Breckenridge.

A drive up Buckskin Gulch (west of Alma) and into the circque that holds Kite Lake may be nice. Above timberline, its a beautiful alpine settig. The drive isn't difficult but does require at least crossover type vehicle clearance and goes by several mining relics. From this spot you can bag 3 14ers in a single day, if that is on your agenda and your endurance is up to it.

Want a scary drive with a 4x4, head over Mosquito pass and down into Leadville. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the US.

A visit to Buena Vista or Salida is within your hour. Both are a bit more touristy than Fairplay with river rafting, breweries, and a host of cafes and galleries. Also within that area are Mt Princeton Hot Springs and Cottonwood Hot springs, both Geothermal heated swimming pools.

Breckenridge will get you into the tourist side of the mountains. Plenty of shopping, eating, and activities from there down into Frisco and Dillon.

[KJH89]

All of those are perfect! Thanks so much. Exactly what I was looking for.

We can entertain ourselves for the most part Exlporing new cities is fine for us.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Want a scary drive with a 4x4, head over Mosquito pass and down into Leadville. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the US.

A visit to Buena Vista or Salida is within your hour. Both are a bit more touristy than Fairplay with river rafting, breweries, and a host of cafes and galleries. Also within that area are Mt Princeton Hot Springs and Cottonwood Hot springs, both Geothermal heated swimming pools.

Breckenridge will get you into the tourist side of the mountains. Plenty of shopping, eating, and activities from there down into Frisco and Dillon.

Used to own a place in Fairplay, and I would agree with the above recommendations. As previously mentioned, Fairplay and Alma don't really have a lot going on in town. More to do in the towns recommended above, all relatively close by.

My other recommendation is to not speed at all on Hwy 9 between Fairplay and Alma, nor coming down from Hoosier Pass into the Breckenridge area. Big speed traps.

[TCHP]

Ahhh, forgot about that. Yeah, you pretty much want to obey all posted speed limits within a 5-10 mile range of Fairplay and Alma.