Denver Vacation!! What to do and see???? (Columbine, Evans: hotel, work)

[DenverAztec]

You might be able to get to Echo Lake, but the top of Mount Evans is often closed in March. Find out before you book and pay for a tour to the top. It is well worth the trip if it is open as it is close and you can see the city from there. I don't know of any busses going specifically to Red Rocks but you can see if one goes to the town of Morrison and since you are young, you will have about a mile walk into the actual park itself. This is also worth checking out. Check here for bus routes and times http://www.rtd-denver.com/ .

[Daniel_T]

That works. Thanks,

Daniel_T

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

Daniel, going to Mt Evans with a stop in Idaho Springs is a great idea. It's the only 14er that I know of that you can get to the top by car.

Now now, don't forget Pikes Peak!

[suzco]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

Daniel, going to Mt Evans with a stop in Idaho Springs is a great idea. It's the only 14er that I know of that you can get to the top by car.

There's also the cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak as well as the road, as Mike said above.

[suzco]

Scheduled opening of the Mt. Evans road is May 23, 2008. While occasionally the road might open a bit early (and frequently opens later than scheduled), CDOT does not begin the plowing to clear the road until the beginning of May. You will not be able to drive to the summit in March.

[Daniel_T]

Thanks for that info. That is very good to know.
Daniel_T

[DenverAztec]

Though Pikes Peak and much of Colorado Springs is worth visiting, it is not Denver and about 2.5 miles south.

[ColoWeb]

As great Mt. Evans is (I loved it when I did my trip there), as suzco said that it will not be not be open by end of March. While part of it maybe, I think it will not be worth going there if you cannot get to the top (14,258'). I took some pics of it so I may upload them if you want to see them - but it is nothing compared to actually being there.

As for Pikes Peak vs. Mt. Evans, I'd go for Mt. Evans because, I think, it is cheaper. Especially if you do not have a car since the train ride to the top is a separate cost. Since I have the national parks pass, for me going to Mt. Evans is "free" since it is part of the NPS network now (while Pikes Peak is not).

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by ColoWeb

As great Mt. Evans is (I loved it when I did my trip there), as suzco said that it will not be not be open by end of March. While part of it maybe, I think it will not be worth going there if you cannot get to the top (14,258').

I totally disagree. The drive from Idaho Springs, following Chicago Creek up to Echo Lake, then up by Squaw Peak and back down to Bergen Park is one of the most scenic mountain drives you'll get within an hour's drive of Denver. In my opinion, the area is just as beautiful as Rocky Mountain NP. I've been to the top of Mt Evans a couple of times, but I've been to the Echo Lake area dozens and dozens of times, and have never regretted any of them. There are many great hiking trails too that start from Echo Lake (and a bit lower on the mountain by Chicago Creek), where you hike along the back side of Mt Evans. Even if you're not going to the top, it is well worth it.

[ColoWeb]

vegaspilgrim,
It is very nice, do not get me wrong, but for a visitor who is here for a limited time and without a car, this maybe not the best place to visit considering many of the others places on the list. I guess if I go there at the end of march, then I can someone for the ride but planning a speical trip just for this for someone who is just visiting may not be the best choice in March.