Besides the physical benefits of hiking, the main reason to go hiking is to enjoy the beauty of nature. Without a doubt, the scenery in the mountains of Colorado is absolutely stunning. It is fascinating to see the way that the geological forces have joined with the forces of rain, wind, and time to create such unique features in the landscape. People will often see patterns in everything that they look at as it is a natural way for our minds to make sense of the world. When you look at a trail map, it is not uncommon to see names given to natural landmarks as a way to identify them based upon what people feel it looks like. This is obviously true around the world as well and we enjoy looking at some of them and asking ourselves does it really look like the name that it has been given.
Kissing Camels in Garden of the Gods ParkUp Close, the Kissing Camels Are Not as ObviousHiking Towards Monument RockMonument Rock in ColoradoThese Rocks May or May Not Have a NamePaint Mines Interpretive Park near Colorado Springs
One of the great things about living in Colorado is that you can get into the mountains in every season of the year. Obviously, the winter is all about skiing and snow boarding, but the other seasons are just as wonderful for hiking, biking, wildlife watching, and just enjoying the beauty of nature. There are many places to stay during those times of year, but the same resorts that are home to ski resorts also make a great destination year round. Ski lifts will take you and your bikes up to the top of the mountain for a thrilling ride down and ski runs are converted to hiking trails. There are also zip lines and other outdoor activities like putt-putt golf, tennis, horseback riding, and golf. There are even some resorts where you can ride down an alpine slide in cars that fly down the luge track. Depending on when you go into the mountains, you will also find a variety of festivals including those with music and film. We have been to several of them, but here a few of our favorite locations.
Aspen City HallDowntown Aspen
Aspen – There is something special about this elegant city in the Colorado high country. The town has maintained a small town feel and walking the streets will be like going back in time to when skiing first became a popular sport. There is a reason that the Food and Wine festival is held in Aspen as there are an abundance of excellent restaurants for a town of its size.
Looking Down at the Village in Late SpringBeaver Creek Colorado
Beaver Creek – Truly one of our favorite destinations no matter what time of year, there is so much to do in Beaver Creek. There are rodeos on the weekends in the small town of Frisco, which is located at the base of the mountain, just outside of the resort. The resort has activities for all ages and physical capabilities and has some excellent hiking and biking trails.
View of Downtown Steamboat SpringsFun for the Children
Steamboat Springs – With a main street that has many different gift shops and restaurants, there is plenty to do during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. It is one of the easier destinations to get to from Denver, which makes it a popular location for locals to visit on weekends. The town hosts different events throughout the summer, so it is wise to check out their activities calendar to see what is happening during the time that you are planning to go there.
Alpine SlideSteep Terrain Near Breckenridge
Breckenridge – Although all of the resorts are family friendly, Breckenridge offers a wide variety of activities that will entertain children of all ages. For those that don’t just want to spend time hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you could pretty much spend all of your time at the resort if you so desired. Obviously, we’d recommend that you get out into nature either walking on a trail or riding horses to feel like an old-time cowboy or cowgirl.
Historic Streets of TellurideGorgeous Vistas
Telluride – Located in southwestern Colorado, Telluride is farther away than most of the other resorts, but well worth the effort to visit. It hosts one of the most famous jazz and bluegrass festivals in the state. The town of Telluride has managed to keep that small town feel despite being a popular resort destination in both the summer and winter seasons. In order to allow the town to keep is historic feel, the resorts are purposely located in the Mountain Village with a free gondola providing transportation between the village and the actual town of Telluride. There are some smaller condominiums and homes for rent within the town itself, making a great alternative to the larger resorts that are located on the side of the mountain.
There are plenty of other towns and villages where you can stay when heading to the mountains of Colorado, but staying at one of the ski resorts offer some extra activities that you might not otherwise find. With plenty of stores, restaurants, and lodges of various size, you can truly customize your experience.
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As people slowly start to travel once again, one of the most popular ways to get around is buy car. Taking a road trip is a great way to get out and see new places without necessarily exposing yourself to large crowds. Most places are open for dining with limited seating, but any travel is better than no travel. When traveling by car, especially with limited options of places to stop, there are plenty of items that can make the trip a greater success. In no particular order, here are some of the things that you should consider packing on your next road trip.
Packing Cubes: Organizing your clothes so that you can group outfits together or separating out clothes makes every stop along your way easier to get back on the road more quickly. It can also be a great way to separate out clean clothes from dirty clothes. In addition, especially with rolling, you will likely fit more clothes into smaller bags taking up less room in your car.
Collapsible Water Bottle: Staying hydrated while traveling is always important, but taking a bunch of disposable water bottles is not only not environmentally friendly, but just takes up room. Even better than a plain old water refillable water bottle is one that collapses when not in use. It is easy to toss into a bag and then pull it out when you reach your destination and decide to go for a hike.
Personal Water Filter: Having a water bottle is only half of the equation. Having a personal water filter allows you to have fresh water even when you’re on the road or perhaps a trail. Whether filtering tap water or water from a stream or lake, it can be an essential item when hitting the road for multiple days.
Laundry Sheets: We have used these many times during our travels and take them on every trip with us whether internationally or taking a road trip. Whether you want to reduce the amount of clothes you are packing or just be prepared for life’s unexpected messes, having these strips to wash your clothes is extremely handy. The thin strips contain enough soap to wash at least a couple of clothing items and the entire container sits in the palm of your hand.
Hand Sanitizer Sheets: While hand sanitizers have become an every day essential item, they can be even more important when hitting the road. These hand washing strips that don’t require water are also small enough to fit easily in your pocket or glove box and can be great to wipe your hands clean wherever you are.
Emergency Road Side Kit: An emergency road side kit with Jump Cables, First Aid Kit, Tow Rope, Safety Hammer, Reflective Warning Triangle, Reflective Safety Vest, Tire Pressure Gauge, Safety Gloves, Mechanical Flashlight, Tire Repair Tools, Utility Knife, Screwdriver, Rain Coat, PVC Tape and Cables Ties provides more than just the knowledge that you are prepared in the event that something goes wrong during your road trip.
First Aid Kit: If you’re not going to go the length of buying an emergency road side kit or want to create one of your own, having a first aid kit with you is an absolute must. Obviously no one expects something to happen, but being prepared just in case is well worth the little effort that it takes to make sure it is with you on the road.
Road Atlas: Although most people rely on the apps on their smart phones, there are times when you don’t have connectivity and you don’t want to find yourself getting lost. Sometimes old school without technology is just the safest back-up to have at your disposal.
Portable Trash Can: Whether grabbing snacks from a cooler or stopping at a fast food restaurant to get a bite to eat while on the road, having someplace to put your trash is something that most people don’t consider. When you spend hours in your vehicle going from one location to another, the last thing that you want is to have a bunch of trash at your feet. It might be a simple comfort, but the impact is surprising.
For Those Who Are Traveling With Pets
Dog Harness: Just like you wouldn’t travel without putting on your seatbelt, having a harness for you furry family member is also a must. Not only will it keep them safe, it will keep them from wandering around the vehicle. It also can provide a sense of calm for dogs who get anxious when traveling in a car.
Travel Bags For Dogs: Organize all of your furry best friend’s essentials in one central place! This dog bag is perfect for dogs of all sizes. It comes with a front magnetic sleeve pocket, a water bottle holder, a zippered side pocket, an internal zippered mesh pocket, and a removable internal divider to hold everything in place.
First Aid Kit For Dogs and Cats: Just like having a first aid kit for yourself is a good idea, having one for your pet family members is an equally good idea. Always better to be prepared just in case.
Water Bottle For Pets: Having a water bottle specifically designed for your pets is perfect for traveling on the road or hiking on a trail. Your pets need to stay as hydrated during travel as you do.
