Estes Park Adventures

Looking for some adventure in Estes Park, Colorado?

Here are some ideas for you!

(Jeeping along Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park)

1) Rent a Jeep and take the dirt roads!

Backbone Adventures located at 1851 North Lake Ave. in Estes Park has a variety of rental choices from Jeeps, to ATVs, and snowmobiles. Phone: 970-235-5045

Green Jeep Tours located at 157 Moraine Ave in Estes Park provides customized, guided Jeep tours. Phone: 970-577-0034

Wildside 4x4 located at 212 E. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes Park offers a "Top of the World Tour" and "Sunset Tour." Phone: 970-586-TOUR 

(Entrance to RMNP from Grand Lake, CO)


2) Ride high in the sky along the Estes Park Aerial Tramway.

(Looking down over the town of Estes Park, Colorado.)

The Estes Park Aerial Tramway carries you up to the Observation Platform where you will also find a gift shop and tiny coffee shop.  You may have to wait in line a little while, as they run only two gondolas at a time. However, the views at the top are well worth the wait! There appeared to also be a hiking trail at the top.

Check their website for seasonal opening times/dates and prices.


3) Horseback riding in the National Park!

There are several horse rentals in the area. I will only list a few.

Rocky Mountain National Park has two stables within the park: Glacier Creek Stables and Moraine Park Stables. Their site also lists rules and other resources to be aware of.

 (Wildflowers in West Horseshoe Park in RMNP)

 

SK Horses offers several tour options on their National Park Gateway tour. They offer 2 Hour tours, half-day, and full day tours.

Jackson Stables (at the YMCA in Estes Park) has 1 hour all the way to All Day tours available.

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR JEEPING AND HORSEBACK RIDING.

All photos posted are the property of this blogger. All rights reserved. 2017.

Denver: Historic Walking Tours

(The Daniels and Fisher Tower, built in 1910 and once the tallest building West of the Mississippi. The top floors were recently put up for sale and therefore tours of the upper levels may only last for a limited time).

The city of Denver is currently undergoing a surge in population growth, making way for a new wave of businesses and infrastructure adjustments. As these changes continue, let us not tear down all of the old for the new.

On the contrary, Denver's foundations (like all cities) are layered with pieces of the past.

As you walk along the sidewalks, drive along the streets, or sit among the city parks....you are treading where Amerindians, gold seekers, homesteaders, and early entrepreneurs have already walked.

And let's not forget about the architecture.

Many of early Denver's buildings line the streets of downtown, as well as, surrounding neighborhoods. It is apparent the quality of design and thoughtfulness that went into early 20th century construction (especially in contrast to many of the new, fast and cheap designs going up right now).

Denver is the cool place that it is because of the way it has preserved its historic elements. However, whether it be forests or urban jungles, preservation usually takes place because of bold, passionate individuals. (Lower downtown Denver is no exception. See: Dana Crawford).

So, whether you are a Colorado native (and there seem to be fewer and fewer) or perhaps you recently moved here ....and all the rest of us in between....come explore Denver's past.

There are several historic walking tours offered seasonally or year-round.... And at least one that is even dog-friendly! Take a look and then book a tour today!

 

Historic Walking Tours!

 

 

View of the 16th Street Mall and downtown

 

1)  History Colorado offers historic walking tours. A new and exciting program they are offering is their History Hounds program. Tours consist of dog-friendly historic walking tours of Cheesman Park, City Park, and Mt. Falcon Open Space Park. Join expert guides, Shawn Snow or State Archaeologist Holly Norton for a guided tour! Sign up today!

2) Historic Denver initially began as a way to protect the Molly Brown House. Now, they are guiding the way, helping to preserve Denver's architectural treasures and historic past. They have several historic walking tours.

3)  The Crawford Hotel offers tours of Union Station.

4) Walk and sip, anyone? Check out a Denver microbrew tour.

5) Another option is Historic LoDO Walking Tours.

6) And, of course, there are several house museum tours (I have mentioned most of these before): Denver's oldest house, known as the  4 Mile House, the 17 Mile House, Molly Brown House Museum, and the Byer's-Evans house to name a few (there are many more).

7) Here are some ideas if you would rather make up your own walking tour.







So, put your walking shoes on and get out and explore! 

View from behind the clocktower of the Daniels-Fisher Tower

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!!

Denver's Union Station: A Dining Destination

Photos: J. Foster, 2016.

 

    I finally made my way to the newly renovated Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop, in downtown Denver. It was a fabulous mix of travelers with luggage surrounded by locals with curious appetites. Besides operating as a central hub for Amtrak, as well as, local RTD lightrail and bus terminals this historic location is now a hot spot for local food and drink fare.   

 

   As I examined the architecture both inside and out, I was reminded of two things: 1) the importance of historic preservation and 2) the thrill of being on a journey. I felt a sense of romantic nostalgia for another time and place. But as I stood in the present moment, I realized how grateful I am to live in a city that is expanding its infrastructure to include more rail lines. Denver really is a cool place to be.  

 

The Terminal Bar was a popular place at happy hour.

 

I stood in the main lobby/terminal for several minutes staring at the large terminal windows before going off to explore the hallways, stores, and restaurants.

I found the kiosk counter where I could have bought an Amtrak ticket to the east or west coasts before arriving at the Next Door Community Pub, where I chose to drink and dine.



Fish Tacos

 


Bacon Burger with Mashers

 I tried their "special of the day" fish tacos along with the Next Door's version of a Moscow Mule--very tasty! My date enjoyed a bacon burger with mashers. It was a fun time exploring some place new, as well as, tasting some yummy food. Also, our waiter was from London and quite fun to talk with.               

 Union Station is now home to several other popular restaurants:

 



Snooze an A.M Eatery

Stoic and Genuine

Mercantile Dining and Provision

Milkbox Ice Creamery

Next Door Community Pub

The Terminal Bar

The Cooper Lounge

 

Union Station is also home to the prestigious Crawford Hotel. The Crawford Hotel also gives tours of Union Station. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information on tours click here.  

 

For information regarding train and public transit, click here.

 

So, come and explore some Colorado history while enjoying the nostalgic ambiance of Denver's Union Station! Heck, maybe catch a train while you're at it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curecanti National Recreation Area

In the heart of Colorado, along the edges of ruggedly beautiful mesas and where the Gunnison River once flowed freely, sits the Curecanti National Recreation Area.  Now three dams (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal) form a more tame waterway and beckon outdoorsy folk to come and play. This area is perfect for all kinds of water sports (motorboats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing,etc.), fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking and best of all--nurturing your wild spirit. 

 

Managed by the National Park Service, there are a couple of NPS staffed visitor centers where you can learn more about the landscape and context of the region....or where you can simply stop for refreshments or to check your map. The Elk Creek Visitor Center is along Hwy 50, about 16 miles outside of Gunnison. The Cimarron Visitor Center is along Hwy 50 near the town of Cimarron. Stop in for more information. You can also sign up for a National Park Service guided pontoon boat tour!

 

Recreational Activities Abound!

There are several marinas in the area where you can rent pontoon boats, kayaks and fishing gear. I stopped at the Elk Creek Marina (pictured below) and rented a kayak for a half day. They also have paddleboards available for rent.

There are ten official campgrounds in the Curecanti Recreation Area. Several of them are available by reservation while others are not. Also, due to the arid climate many of the campsites do not provide shade. However, the Dry Gulch Campground (9 sites), Red Creek Campground (group site), East Elk Creek Campground (group site) do have some shade available. For sites that take reservations, you may book online here.

The view as you drive along hwy 50 is refreshing; nothing but mesas, vistas and buttes almost as far as you can see.

Should you decide to get out of your car and hike or picnic, there are many trails and resting points nearby. 

For a list of hiking trails click here.

Also, if you have time remaining, be sure to check out the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park just a few miles to the west.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and go for a float, a swim, a boat ride, a hike, a picnic....or just a good ol' fashioned drive! 

A new adventure company; Denver Adventures!

Stefan, the owner of Denver Adventures, recently spoke in my Outdoor Leadership class regarding his exciting new adventure company!

I must admit I have always wondered why there is not an all-in-one outdoor outfitter in the area...well...it has finally arrived! Welcome Denver Adventures! They offer guided zipline tours (the longest course in Colorado, with perhaps the fastest speeds..according to Stefan), guided hiking, snowshoeing, trailrunning, rafting, brewery tours and also teambuilding exercises.

I'm excited and eager to check them out! For the out-of-towner, they provide roundtrip transportation to/from your adventure.

They do not have a central office so you will need to get in touch with them via email or phone from their webiste.

See you on the zipline!!