Posted: 12/27/2002 7:19:03 AM EDT
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Well, I have been looking around for some cool places to go in CO and figured I would ask you guys. Where do you like to go for a weekend getaway? With family or without? Firearms are optional. (I can't believe I said that). I was thinking of doing the train from Silverton to Durango. Never done it but hear it is very cool. What do you guys want to do or have done that you would like to share. |
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Oh man... I don't think you can go into the mountains in CO and not get a good deal out of your trip... Pooter (Pewter? sorry... been forver since I was there) Canyon, Rocky Mt. Natl. Park, Estes Park, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, Royal Gorge, Raft Browns Canyon (rafting only in warmer weather...), Raft the Royal Gorge, Redrocks amphitheater, aaaaaagggghhhh.... you're making me jealous, I haven't had a vacation in 2 and a half years. Of course, there's more if you count in skiing and other activities. |
| The hot springs resorts around Mt. Princeton. Plenty of places to get in Gold Medal fishing, shooting, camping, hiking/backpacking, rafting, and rock hounding. Plus you can head over cottonwood pass into Taylor park and REALLY get away from things. Ghost towns are rampant. Beautiful area. NW |
Man that train is cool. If you are into backpacking that is the best thing to do. Get your tickets for about 6 days apart when the train stops where you want to start Backpacking get off. And you are gone for 6days. But dont get behind schedule or else you will miss the train (Bad thing when the packs are empty of food too) Plus you can take fire arms. More for protection from the wild than anything out there though. But we usualy try to do one every year from the train. KC |
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Great Sand dunes natl' park (sp?) Mesa Verde Garden of the Gods Pikes Peak Mt. Evans Dinosaur Nat'l monument (?) Rollins Pass (It's neat to me, I know the history ~) Central City was a cool place about 20 yrs ago...damn casinos! Cave of the Winds Backpacking and/or fishing along the Continental Divide that should get ya started  Oh, forgot to add.. whats the cost of the Durrango - Silverton train ride? I rode that back in the 70's as a kid. My Father said that the cost now is more for ONE person than it cost for the whole family back when... I'd like to do it again, I remember it being pretty cool. |
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Well I took a girlfriend on a 3 day trip to Alamosa and included a full day trip on the "Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad." That was almost as much fun as the hot tub at the Motel... Other CO Railroad info: One of these days I'm going to plan a trip up to Estes Park... |
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I've heard very good things about the Silverton/Durango train also. My usual summertime get-away is Ouray on the 4th of July. Very pretty little town and the surrounding high country is breath taking, even more so for a native flatlander.  Jeeping and/or camping in the Flattops area just north of Glenwood Springs is another favorite activity. Glenwood Sprgs. is also another nice town to visit. About 8000 pop., nice downtown shopping within walking distance of the Hot Springs Pool, btw. Ouray's hot springs pools are better, and during the summer time the Fairey Caves are open. Very spectacular caves, though what's open is not on the same scale as Cave of the Winds, small but awesome. Glenwood would make a nice weekend get-away. About 2½-3 hrs west of Denver on I-70. |
What do you do on the Peak. I spent 3 years up there with the NETCFPD as a volunteer. All 3 years we were at the Halfway Picnic Ground. On tire tests and such we were whereever they put us. Karl. |
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Upper Arkansas Valley from Leadville to Salida. Spectacular scenary, jeep, snowmobile, x-country, snowshoe, sled dogs, hiking, rockhounding, goldpanning. Lots of elk, deer, bighorn sheep. Family type ski areas with matching prices. Micro breweries, tour trains, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, hot springs. Touch history. Have a drink in the same bar that Doc Holiday shot his last man. Learn about the Unsinkable Molly Brown and Colorado's original soap opera, the Tabor Saga. A public range to 300 (no class III) or several club ranges. If you want the glitz and glamour, Vail, Copper, Breck, etc are a short drive away (cheaper to stay in Leadville). During the summer, Aspen is just over the hill. SRM |
Sit on the side of "Devils Playground" and shoot (with a very long lense). I have taken more photos of the Hill Climbs than all others (subjects) combined for the last 20 years. |
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A few things I haven't seen mentioned as great little day trips, some with money, some free: -Trip up to Idaho Springs and the hot springs there (I like the caves). I recommend lunch at the Buffalo Bar. The buffalo rueben is to die for. -Trip up to the top of Mount Evans (summer only) but bring a jacket! -Georgetown and the Georgetown loop railroad. Bring a camera for this great little trip over the famous Devil's gate bridge! Loop over Guanella Pass for a different way home! -Breckenridge over Boreas pass (dirt, no low riders!) into South Park. Steeped in history as the original route of the Denver South Park and Pacific RR. There is also a cool Rotary snow plow on the Breckenridge side and an old water tower on the way. The forest service has rebuilt the old section house at the top of the pass but I don't remember when it is open. This is a GREAT fall trip to see the aspen, as is the Guanella trip above. -Ski Train. Pricey, but great scenery and fun, winter or summer, even if you don't ski or bike. The Ski Train is in the phone book and has website (I think). Have fun and thanks everyone else for more ideas! |