Heading to Colorado in mid Sept. What are some must sees. Also like to do
- Thread starter CattyGuy51
- Start date
bwifan
Well-Known Member
Another must do, especially if you are a fan of Dr Martin Luther King, is his statue in Pueblo, co
Built in the 1970s, MLK wears flowing robes and walks with Emmett Till, another Civil Rights martyr. The artist wasn't paid for years because MLK's head was so big. The artist argued that MLK had a big head, and eventually got his money. - See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/24033#sthash.0A6zDGAa.dpuf
Built in the 1970s, MLK wears flowing robes and walks with Emmett Till, another Civil Rights martyr. The artist wasn't paid for years because MLK's head was so big. The artist argued that MLK had a big head, and eventually got his money. - See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/24033#sthash.0A6zDGAa.dpuf
Depends on where you go. I have been all over the state. Boulder and Fort Collins are the top destinations as far as cities go. Rocky Mountain National Park is awesome. Lots of great mountain towns. Breckenridge is a fairly easy drive from Denver, which isn't a bad major city but not without some major faults that make it less and less attractive of a place to visit. Colorado Springs isn't too bad. Easily the best military town in the country with Fort Carson on one side and the Air Force Academy. Garden of the Gods is impressive but if memory serves it is a private club. Pikes Peak is nearby.
I fished the down valley area in Carbondale.Ask the guides at the fly shops,it's world class.
I'm driving and plan on doing most of the state. Not really interested in Denver or larger cities just want to see the mountains and do some fishing. Going to Rocky Mt park and have heard the Black Canyon is nice. Mostly site seeing but want to fish as well if I can find some accessible areas.
I went hunting in the SW corner of the state about 10 years or so ago. The largest town in the area (had a walmart) was Cortez, but we were hunting right around Delores. It was a quaint little area... not much tourist type stuff, but the hunting was good and I hear the fishing is spectacular. It's not far from Durango to the east and Telluride to the north (I think). They both have more sightseeing opportunities, and one of my bucket list items is the Durango to Silverton railroad that goes into the mountains. This area is also pretty close to the 4 corners area with that "landmark" and other native american sights of interest.
I also loved Rocky Mountain National Park. At that time of the year, the elk should be bugeling and it would make quite the experience. There was a town on the west side of the park called Grand Lake. It's not a destination, but more of a cool little stop over. My wife and I drove up from Denver through Ft. Collins and then camped on the Cache la Poudre River, then drive west through Walden, and then south to Kremmling, and then to Grand Lake, and then finally to Estes Park. We camped everywhere except Denver and it was great. I wish I had brought my fishing gear, because there was some choice looking water.
I'll be on another elk hunt somewhere in Colorado next september, I just haven't figured out where...
I also loved Rocky Mountain National Park. At that time of the year, the elk should be bugeling and it would make quite the experience. There was a town on the west side of the park called Grand Lake. It's not a destination, but more of a cool little stop over. My wife and I drove up from Denver through Ft. Collins and then camped on the Cache la Poudre River, then drive west through Walden, and then south to Kremmling, and then to Grand Lake, and then finally to Estes Park. We camped everywhere except Denver and it was great. I wish I had brought my fishing gear, because there was some choice looking water.
I'll be on another elk hunt somewhere in Colorado next september, I just haven't figured out where...
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I was in Aspen for March and April,so I would drive down70 stop in Vail,fish Carbondale and chill in Aspen.
Red rocks amphitheater...I was there several time at the age of 8 or 9 when we lived in Lowery SAC Base. I seem to remember a high walk bridge that spans a gorge to the red rocks, maybe I'm thinking of another location in CO.
Also William Cody's grave.
Also William Cody's grave.
I've been to
I've been to both (but not to a concert) and both are outstanding. If you want a real man's adventure, why not skate board down Wolf Creek pass?? (which btw I've been told has outstanding fly fishing along the Rio Grande river) This is going to Pagossa Springs side which has some really cool natural spring hot tubes. Go down the over side into South Fork which again has great fly fishing. Plus you can take the Silver Thread train into Creede. There you can find some really great off roading adventures.Red rocks amphitheater...I was there several time at the age of 8 or 9 when we lived in Lowery SAC Base. I seem to remember a high walk bridge that spans a gorge to the red rocks, maybe I'm thinking of another location in CO.
Also William Cody's grave.
Garden of the Gods is a public park and free to the public.
Thanks for the leads, but
I stopped wishing for "real men's" adventure when my pecker started to droop.
the video is cool..
well you sound like you would be more comfortable with hauling chickens out of Wiggins...Thanks for the leads, but
I stopped wishing for "real men's" adventure when my pecker started to droop.
the video is cool..
http://www.colorado.com/articles/10-western-colorado-fly-fishing-spots
Since you'll be here in the Fall, you'll need to check water flow conditions for your locations of interest. Conditions are currently very good along the lower San Miguel and Dolores, but that is because of continued snow melt and heavy rains the past few weeks. Things could change a month from now.
https://www.tellurideoutside.com/fishing-conditions
http://www.coloradofishing.net/reports.htm
If you're going near Meeker and like mounted animals and some historical stuff, stop and eat at the Meeker Hotel. For fishing in the NW, you've got the White River flowing thru Meeker and the Yampa from Steamboat thru Craig to Maybell, plus gorgeous mountain lakes in the Flattops.
CattyGuy, I'm also going the first two weeks in Sept. Catching the WVB tournament in Boulder, then Estes Park, Steamboat Springs, Carbondale, Colorado Springs , then home. Hope to fish the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan. Can't wait.
OK, where do I signup for the Wolf Creek longboarding, I like my odds of surviving ....better than with EARL.
Thanks for the tips guys. I think I'll pass on the longboarding as I think that you would read about some nut from PA going over a cliff on a board. ( Maybe 40 years ago but not today.) It's a bucket list trip so I want to make the most of it.
If the leaves are changing, the drive from Ridgway to Cortez over Dallas Divide is spectacular. Route 62 and 145. Route 145 along the Delores River is breathtaking when the cottonwood trees are changed. Mesa Verde is a must see, simply AMAZING! ridgway to Durango is great also. I live in Wyoming and go to SW Colorado to photograph sometimes. Beautiful state.
The Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan are two of the more famous fly fishing rivers in the state, and they are a good choice if water flow is reasonably good (which it should be this year). Two towns to visit that are off the beaten path but should be absolutely spectacular that time of year are Lake City and Ouray, both in SW Colorado. You should be able to find some good fishing there, and they are both definitely worth checking out on their own merits. Good Jeep-4 wheeler trails associated with both towns.
I currently live in Denver, and absolutely love it. So much to do. Used to live in Fort Collins, and it is an OK town to visit, but I am not a huge fan of it. Great sight seeing in Colorado Springs, Aspen is absolutely gorgeous, and Breckenridge/Vail are also great ski towns along with Aspen. If you will be in town for any PSU games head to Larimer Beer Hall in downtown Denver! It's a rowdy atmosphere and has a lot of PSU fans that attend. It will feel like you are watching the game at a bar in State College.
Floated the Colorado with a guide out of Breckenridge in mid Sept just a couple of years ago. One of the best experiences ever.
Sept 10 USAFA football game......the fly over can be something special depending on what's flying. While southern CO and northern NM is one of the most mystical and beautiful places around it is a real commitment getting there if you are up north.
Also we have another fire this summer 75 miles west of Pueblo. Think it is on the downward side but might want to check if you are going to be on hwy 50.
Last suggestion, at one point in time Cripple Creek was mining more gold at the turn of the century than any other town. Too many casinos now but the drive to it is really pretty especially if the leaves are changing. Don't care for the casinos but there is still enough of what made CC a mountain mining town of extraordinary influence to explore.
Also we have another fire this summer 75 miles west of Pueblo. Think it is on the downward side but might want to check if you are going to be on hwy 50.
Last suggestion, at one point in time Cripple Creek was mining more gold at the turn of the century than any other town. Too many casinos now but the drive to it is really pretty especially if the leaves are changing. Don't care for the casinos but there is still enough of what made CC a mountain mining town of extraordinary influence to explore.
CG,
I found this driving trip on Tripadvisor and thought it was pretty good with the exception that it doesn't include Craig/Meeker area or the beautiful area around Gateway in far western CO.
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7. Re: 7 days DRIVING around Colorado - Tips for Itineraries
Feb 26, 2012, 11:59 PM
Here is my roundtrip suggestion which you can easily Mapquest to see my intention, around 1500 driving miles, over 20 hrs+ due to mountain driving, this will defintely show the diversity of Colorful Colorado-
1) Leave Denver for Rocky Mtn National Park, go one way west via Lyonsand Estes Park, stay in Grand Lake or Granby
2) Travel south thru Winter Park to I-70 then west over Loveland Pass back onto I-70 at Silverthorne, past Vail, to stay in either Glenwood Springs or Aspen
3) Over Independence Pass and down into Leadville, stop at Mt Princeton Hot springs on Hwy 285 by Lathrop if you want to experience springs next to a cold river, stay in either Crested Butte or Gunnison (Black Canyon of the Gunnison is awesome)
4) West, then south to Telluride, what a complete gem this is, ride the gondola for free, I was there for the aspens this year, INCREDIBLE!
5) Go thru Dolores to Cortez so you can stop at Mesa Verde before staying either in Durango or Pagosa Springs (Fantastic hot springs, 15 diffrnt pools here) as you are heading back east
6) Head east to Alamosa so you can go to the Great Sand Dunes just north of there, to me this is one of the most magical of places in CO, always changing & shifting because of the wind
7) Colorado Springs and you must drive thru Garden of the Gods, an absolute must see since it so very beautiful, I would stay there then drive back to Denver to catch flight out
