Colorado Adventure Ideas--Summer 2016

I thought I would share some of the items remaining on my Colorado bucket list. Perhaps others might also be interested in some of these adventures.

(Click on the highlighted portions for links)

Ride the Rails
Several Railroad lines offer tours or rides. Here are four options in or near Denver:

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad

Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs (Roundtrip)

Cog Railroad


Gold Mine Tours

Everett and Lebanon Mines- The Georgetown Loop Railroad can drop you off.

Molly Kathleen Mine- Located in Cripple Creek, Colorado. $20/adult. $12/kids.

Argo Gold Mine--Located in Idaho Springs, Colorado. $16/adult and $8/kids.



Hike a 14er

For beginners:

Mt. Sherman-This is the one I hope to summit sometime soon. Two reasons: 1) There is an old mine at the base 2) One of the "easier" ones to start with.

Mt. Bierstadt- Located in a popular area and also noted as a good "starter" climb.


Hike Parts of the Colorado Trail

There are 28 segments that make up the Colorado Trail. If you can't hike the whole thing...maybe try section by section. I've only casually hiked along 3 sections. Hoping to add more as time goes by.

Explore More Colorado History

Daniel-Fisher Tower Tour-At one point this clock tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Tours offered on Saturdays. Cool historical/architectural tour.
Holzwarth historic site located on the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bent's Old Fort- Travel back in time to the mid-1800s during the fur trade along the Sante Fe Trail.
Sand Creek Massacre Site-(Located near Bent's Old Fort site) Remember and honor a tragic event in American history...site where a group of Cheyenne and Arapahoe Amerindians were killed.
Dinosaur National Monument- One of Colorado's National Park Monument sites. Come and see dinosaur fossils and bone quarries.

Go Off-Roading!
A sample of jeep outfitters:

Colorado Jeep Tours

Backbone Adventures

Mountain High Rentals


Rent a Pontoon Boat for an afternoon

I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Maybe this summer it will happen!
Boat rentals for Lake Dillon: see Lake Dillon Boathouse


Get out and explore, y'all!! Happy summering!!

My Favorite Colorado Hot Springs

Colorado is fortunate to have at least about a dozen popular hot springs...as well as some that are off the beaten path. I thought I would list my favorites for you and also a few that I am hoping to check out in the near future.

Favorite Colorado Hot Springs:
(Click on the underlined title's for links to the websites)

1. Strawberry Hot Springs
(Located in Steamboat Springs)
This place is awesome! I love the way they have kept the natural look and feel. They also have several small but cozy and rustic camping concoctions. Also, be advised that after dark is "clothing optional" soaking.

2. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
(Located in Nathrop...between Salida and Buena Vista)
I enjoy these springs because they are in one of my favorite areas in Colorado. After a fun day of camping, hiking, rafting, or four-wheeling this is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon or evening. Also, they have a couple of big pools but the coolest part is being able to find a few of the completely natural hot spots on the bank of the river (when the water is not too high0--right next to the commercialized pools.As of 2013, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs is now more of a resort-with an additional lodging facility and private pool for those staying in the lodge.

3. Hot Sulphur Springs
(Located near Granby)
What I like about this place is that there are around a dozen individual pools...some smaller and bigger than others. This can make for a cozy atmosphere if there aren't that many other guests. However, if the place is packed...then it could feel like alot of sardines in a can....but usually you can find a nice little pool for yourself and friends.

4. Indian Hot Springs
(Located in Idaho Springs)
This is probably the closest hot springs from Denver. It is a quick relaxing getaway located in the old mining town of Idaho Springs. One of the cool features of this resort is their Geothermal Caves. Guests can sit in an actual pool inside of a cave. However, one thing to know is that the caves are divided among genders...so...husbands and wives would not be able to go into the caves together...and note that bathing suits are optional (it used to be mandatory NO bathing suits; glad that has changed).. There are private pools and there is also a main pool.


5. Glenwood Springs Hot Springs
(Located in Glenwood Springs)
This resort is one of the main attractions to the town of Glenwood Springs. It lies right in the heart of town and can often be seen full of happy guests and swimmers. This is one HUGE hot spring pool! This offers more of a communal and open space for children and swimmers.There are actually two large pools that from a distance look like one large pool; one averages around 90 degrees (more of the swimming/active pool) and the other is around 102 degrees. Also, nearby is the Yampah Vapor Caves where you can also spend a day relaxing and steaming.

6. Cottonwood Hot Springs
This is a small but cute commercial hot spring with a handful of pools. A nice quaint oasis near Buena Vista and Cottonwood Pass. As of 2014, they have added some additional lodging facilities.


A few that I want to eventually check out:

7. Pagosa Hot Springs
(Pagosa Springs)

8. Orvis Hot Springs
(Ridgeway)

9. Conundrum Natural Hot Spring
(off the beaten path hike near Aspen)


For some other hot springs that I have not mentioned, check out the Colorado Hot Springs Enthusiast Blog here.

Excursion Of The Week: Hanging Lake

(The image above was taken from David Vandervelde's website.)

A friend of mine suggested I check out a place called "Hanging Lake". After researching this place, I have put it on the top of my list to go and explore!

It is located near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Here is a website that gives more details about the hike and the best directions.

Check it out!