GOING TOURON NEAR RMNP

“My family and I are going Touron July 8th to RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). We are planning to do the Touron thing, because my wife does not backpack or camp. We will be staying at Sol Vista Lodge in Granby, CO. We are planning to horseback ride, white water raft and mountain bike while there. I plan to dayhike to Lulu City along the Colorado River Trail with my boys. Anybody know of some must see things we should do while there? We will drive through RMNP and Estes Park on the way home. I'm looking for some 1/2 to full day adventures in the Winter Park, Grand Lake and Granby area. Any suggestions would be welcome.

http://granbychamber.com/
last edited: 6/18/05 11:55:24 PM”

“check out the Alpine Visitor Center up on Trail Ridge Road.

A nice dayhike thats not really very strenuous - its 1.8 miles with only about 1,000 foot of elevation gain - is to go from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake. Tons of people take that hike - the trail is like a superhiway.

The cool thing is you'll see alpine lakes (3) with ever increasing views of Hallet Peak and Flattop Mtn (on the divide) as well as awesome views to the south of Longs Peak.

Even if you dont' get her to go all the way to Emerald Lake, the first lake, Nymph is really pretty adn Hallet Peak is most imposing to the west.

The second lake, Dream Lake is just as nice and very easy to reach. Emerald Lake requires the most work to get too.”

“I usually do the touron a little south of there between Salida and Leadville - I've only been to Granby a couple of times. We stayed at a funky old motel that didn't have air conditioning on one of the few nights during the year they could have used it. Hot Sulpher Springs was nice. I've always wanted to see Rollins Pass.

Along I-70, the old Loveland Pass road goes above treeline for a pretty view. Mount Evans is a must-see - it's a 14er you can drive to the top of that's better than Pikes Peak because it's cheaper, there's not a gift shop at the top, the view is better, there are big horns & mountain goats, and the road is paved. One of the "easier" 14ers to climb is Grays Peak from the Bakerville exit - it's a pretty hike that goes past some old mining stuff.”

“ohhhhhhhhhh Granby! I've been to Winter Park a few times. Might I suggest taking the road up to Rollins Pass, which starts right across from the Winter Park main ski area? Good road, no nasty exposures (except maybe one place)... and there's some nice hiking up top.

You're on the Continental Divide Trail and on the edge of Indian Peaks Wilderness. Also, you can take the old RR bed (you're on the old Moffat RR... the train now goes under that mountain through the 6-mile Moffat Tunnel and comes out at the ski resort). The old RR bed hangs along the mountainside at places, with trestles at a place called Devil's Slide.

You can walk to an old caved-in tunnel on the east side. The road used to go through, but when it caved in, sometime in the 80s, someone was killed in the tunnel and it was closed. I've never driven up the east side yet, but would like to.

Around that tunnel you can kind of go above it and walk the wagon road back. It predates the RR going back to the 1800s. It will take you back to where you quit driving.

It's nice, easy access -- and more of a remote access (for those who might not hike or hike at elevation much) to me than RMNP. You don't see many people around up there, typically. You can see across the valley to the ski resort runs. Also, on the way up you go past a major old RR trestle the road now bypasses... least I hope it's still standing.

Speaking of which, you could mountain bike either at Winter Park Ski Resort or in the forest surrounding Winter Park/Fraser. It has tons of trails and a map. Years ago I biked at the resort (me, who's scared of heights and skiing! lol) They have something like a 6-mile long trail that's fairly mellow coming down from the top, as well as, of course, lotsa nasty stuff I didn't do.

The ski resort also has a lot of other stuff to do, like alpine slides and summer concerts, I'm sure.

Granby is a very small town. I don't know that there is much to do in the town proper. It sits at a major road junction and that's kind of its claim to fame. There is a YMCA camp nearby (and it also has an affiliate near Estes Park):
http://www.ymcarockies.org/

If you don't mind gambling, go to the towns of Black Hawk and Central City to see the old towns refurbished and probably eat cheap. But they are very touristy!

If going by Georgetown on I-70 you might want to do the Georgetown steam train. It's right on the way and cool if you like old trains. OMG!! I just looked for the website to find out this isn't operating any more! That's too bad!!

For the best pizza around, eat at Beau Jo's in historic Idaho Springs, right on I-70. That's the original place and quite cool. You get the same great pizza at any of their franchises.

I think your Colorado River rafting trips put in near Kremmling, west of Granby. I once drove the gravel road from there along the river that eventually connects to I-70 near, ummm, Eagle? Nice wide open views on that backroad.

OK.. all I can think of for now. Dang, I gotta get back out to Colorado!!”

“A nice dayhike thats not really very strenuous - its 1.8 miles with only about 1,000 foot of elevation gain - is to go from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake. Tons of people take that hike - the trail is like a superhiway
Roam Around



Thanks Roam,
I think I'm gonna try that hike. Sounds like 1.8 butt kicker miles but maybe I can conjure the wife to do it. I traveled Trail Ridge Road before. Must be what Alaska looks like out on the tundra.

Hey Toejam, how's it goning man?

Hot Sulpher Springs was nice. I think I'm going to treat the wife to a day at the spa in Hot Sulfer Springs. Probably cost a mint though. That would be a good day for the boys and I to get in a serious dayhike or bike ride.

We are going to stay overnight at Colorado Springs. My wife wants to meet one of her customers that lives in Garden of the Gods. I'm thinking of doing the cog up Pikes Peak. I've been up before on the road. The last miles of gravel are a challenge. We met race cars coming down as we drove up. I'm probably driving straight through to Colorado Springs, so I'll be too tired to drive up. Mount Evans is a maybe. Depends on the time we have, the paved road sounds good.

Hey Lizs,

I know a little bit about the area you are talking about. We stayed in Winter Park last year for a ski trip. The Moffit Tunnel is right at the resort. We will be staying within biking distance of the YMCA of the Rockies in Granby, so we will check it out. Might ride some of their trails. I don't know if my flatland butt can handle the ski resort trails on a bike. I'm only going to ride down what I can climb. I've seen those people on TV hauling their bikes on the ski lift so they can ride down. I'm too chicken for that. I think your Colorado River rafting trips put in near Kremmling, west of Granby. Yep that is the one we are going to do. I think it is MAD RIVER ADVENTURES that I looked up. I think the boys 11 and 12 can do class 3. That should be enough to shake us up. They could do a higher class if I lie about age. Over class 3 you must be 12 or older. My 11 year old is 5'1" and 105#, he is a big as the 12 year old and a lot tougher.

Thanks for your ideas guys. I'm getting so pumped for this trip!”

“I forgot to mention, if anyone is in the Granby area July 10-15 and wants to meet for some adventures drop me a post here or e-mail me. White water, biking, hiking whatever.”

“BD, ***I*** went up the chairlift with the bike and rode down the Long Trail. If ***I*** can do it, trust me, anyone can. (I put on the brakes on the Alpine Slide, to give you an example)

OK, so you're going elsewhere other than just the Granby area. The cog railway was great! I'd been up the road to Pikes Peak and then did the cog railway. Had a perfect day, too. Nice not to have the worries of driving up (got an air lock or something on the ex's old diesel Rabbit the first time on top, ack!)

Will write more as things come to me...”

“I don't know the area at ALL, but I will be visiting sometime within the next year, for sure. My baby brother just moved to Kremmling.

:-)

I love my brother. Don't see him near enough.”

“there ya go...great suggestions...have fun!!!”

“Dang! It isn't bad enough that I'm going touron but I'm gonna look touron as well. My wife won't let me pack my well worn and comfy Exofficio pants. Dang, is she my wife or my mom? So what if you can see the color of my undies through a little rip on my right cheek. I had to buy new pair and I'm ok with that, I might just have to roll around in the dirt with them before going out in public though. Anyways were outta here in 5 hours when mom, I mean my wife gets home from work. First stop, Touron capitol of Colorado, Pikes Peak Cog Railway. (Oh the horror!)”

“Have a great trip.”

“for crying out loud bat! how did you let this happen???”

“bat...
don't forget to pack your flowered shirt and camera..oh and plenty of blue knee socks to wear with your sandals....;-)”

“have fun man!

and, I highly recommend rolling around in the dirt with your pants, just to 'break them in' a little.”