2016-12-22 01:50:58
CHIMNEY ROCK Chimney Rock National Monument was home to the Chaco tribe, ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians, 1,000 years ago. You can follow Chaco pathways and spy archaeological ruins and artifacts from the 200 ancient homes and buildings preserved just west of Pagosa Springs. Descend the lantern-lit prehistoric trail to arrive back at the base with an unforgettable memory. Or, sign up for the Night Sky Archaeoastronomy Program that takes place May through September, twice per month. In this truly dark wilderness, a telescope reveals nearly the entire Milky Way. June through August, take advantage of Chimney Rock’s Full Moon Program. Hike to the Great Kiva to see the moon rise over the San Juan Mountains to the melodious accompaniment of an American Indian flute player. Every 18.6 years, a lunar standstill takes place during the winter solstice, when the moon rises perfectly between Chimney Rock’s iconic spires. Researchers suggest the Great House Pueblo was constructed to take full advantage of this wondrous view. Plan ahead: The next predicted alignment is in 2022. PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL MELFORD SANTA FE TRAIL A stop along the historic Santa Fe Trail, the Trinidad History Museum’s Bloom Mansion is an elaborate Victorian-era confection built in 1882. On a visit, you’ll learn about the family that lived there. The trail between Missouri and Santa Fe in the late 1800s was traversed by fortune-seeking individuals, including “Wild Bill” Hickok, frontiersman Kit Carson and explorer Zebulon Pike. The lore of the trail, which runs in Colorado from Trinidad to La Veta and Walsenburg and eastward to the Great Plains is vivid, swirling in the spiritual myths of the American Indians and the history of their clashes with Spanish explorers. Where the promises of fortune led, trouble followed and tales of outlaws “settling their differences” are common. Turn to page 179 for ways to experience these stories today. PHOTOGRAPHER: MILES/ANNA ZOROMSKI SNOWMASS As the name suggests, Snowmass is a world-class ski resort with more than 3,300 acres of massive mountain terrain. The area sings in the summer months, as well. Nestled amid some of the most spectacular mountain vistas in Colorado, including the oft-Instagrammed Maroon Bells, Snowmass brings summer adventure and alpine charm. Ride the rapids of the Roaring Fork River or enjoy legendary fly-fishing from its banks. Catch cowboy culture at the weekly rodeo or tackle a mountain-biking or hiking adventure on the area’s more than 50 miles of trails. Learn more about things to see and do in Snowmass and nearby Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale and Marble on page 128. PHOTOGRAPHER: C2 PHOTOGRAPHY HISTORIC BURLINGTON Grab the reins on the nostalgic Kit Carson County Carousel for the nostalgic price of 25 cents. Built in 1905, the wooden horses and other animals are all original and hand painted, and have been spinning to its Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ since 1928. Of the nearly 2,500 wooden carousels carved in America between 1885 and the 1930s, fewer than 150 are still in existence — and this beauty is one of them. An on-site museum details more of attraction’s history and craftsmanship. Both are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Another opportunity for indulging those “back in my day” stories beloved grandparents are known for is at the Burlington Old Town Museum, where a blacksmith shop, general store, saloon, woodshop and other throwbacks illustrate turn-of-the-century life on the Great Plains and help put Colorado’s Western and agricultural history into perspective. See page 195 for other things to see and do in the Burlington area. PHOTOGRAPHER: MILES/MATT INDEN DENVER ART MUSEUM Denver is home to many iconic and larger-than-life public artworks — everyone’s favorite blue bear peeking in the convention center window is a notable example. So it’s only fitting that the city’s major house of art is an iconic piece of public artwork unto itself. Inside the Daniel Libeskind-designed Hamilton Building and the adjacent Gio Ponti-designed North Building, world-class art can be found in amazing spaces. The museum is best known for its renowned American Indian collection, European & American painting and sculpture, and contemporary art, along with family-friendly programs that bring the arts to life for visitors of all affinities. Through April 2, 2017, the blockbuster Star WarsTM and the Power of Costume exhibits iconic outfits featured in all seven “Star Wars” films. And starting May 21, look for The Western: An Epic in Art and Film to knock your boots off. Learn about other arts experiences in Denver on page 108. PHOTOGRAPHER: EFRAÍN M. PADRÓ CRESTED BUTTE Authentic, open and free of crowds, Crested Butte is a quaint 1880s mining town and Registered National Historic District, where colorfully painted wooden buildings host superb dining, boutiques, galleries and more. In winter, Crested Butte is known as “Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town” — a place where skiers and snowboarders revel on Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s thousand-plus acres, and cross-country skiers and snowshoers tromp along miles of powdery trails. In summer, the state’s official wildflower capital turns into a mountain-biking and hiking destination. Festival-goers hit outdoor concerts and picnics; fishers and rafters play in the Gunnison, Taylor and East rivers; and drivers take in the wilderness along the West Elk Scenic and Historic Byway. Learn more about all there is to see and do in the Crested Butte area on page 182. PHOTOGRAPHER: JEFF CRICCO SAN JUAN SKYWAY Traveling through the dazzling San Juan Mountains and making stops at historic towns of great significance, the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is an essential journey for road trippers. The canyon-clinging stretch of the byway between Silverton and Ouray is called “The Million Dollar Highway” either because that’s what the views are worth (our opinion), it cost so much to build or a heartbreaking amount of gold ore remained in the area when the mining boom spent its last dime. West of Silverton, those with 4-wheel-drive access and energy for an intrepid 14-mile out-and-back hike will find this Caribbean- hued gem — Mineral Creek Falls. See pages 146 and 177 for more on the San Juan Skyway and its other must-stop towns, including Durango, Telluride, Cortez, Mancos, Ridgway and Dolores. PHOTOGRAPHER: JASON J. HATFIELD GARDEN OF THE GODS Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most popular — and free! — attractions. Located in Colorado Springs, its gravity-defying, whimsical rock formations inspire imaginations of all ages. A National Natural Landmark, the public park captivates hikers, bikers, photographers, horseback riders, picnickers, wildlife watchers, scenic drivers and others with its special geology and views of Pikes Peak. Walk the trails that meander around the park’s otherworldly red-rock figures to search for geologic formations in the shapes of kissing camels, cathedral spires, praying hands and sleeping giants — and a few that seem to teeter in gravity’s grip. Read about other top attractions in the area starting on page 112. PHOTOGRAPHER: JASON LEWANDOWSKI VAIL World-famous skiing, luxe resorts, a Swiss Alps-inspired village and stellar shopping have put Vail on the map for many travelers as a town created by and for ski vacations. In addition to the world-class winter activities — not only skiing and boarding, but also snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing and sleigh rides — summer brings top-notch hiking, cycling, golf and on-mountain activities as part of its Epic Discovery program. Vail and the towns it shares a valley with — Beaver Creek, Avon, Eagle and Edwards — are true year-round destinations and favorites with families and lovers of the outdoors. Read more about the area on page 169. PHOTOGRAPHER: JACK AFFLECK GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE Sink into the highest mountains of sand in North America. Nestled where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains buckle inward, the dunes have been rising and shifting for eons — the result of the San Luis Valley’s unique wind patterns. A sandbox of epic proportions near Alamosa, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles and the tallest dune towers 750 feet high. The kid in every visitor loves to sled down the sand year-round and plunge into the soft-sand tracks of those who climbed ahead of them. Choose your own challenging path up the dunes, particularly at dusk when the light gives them a rich gold color and shadows snake across their wind-sculpted ridges. Dig your toes into the sand or feel it run through your fingers, and you’ll realize their true enormity. Read more about the area on page 186. PHOTOGRAPHER: KENNAN HARVEY RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE Red Rocks’ pair of massive rock formations promote seamless acoustics for only-in- Colorado sonic experiences. Concertgoers savor crystal-clear melodies that emanate from its sandstone- surrounded stage. The open-air theater in Morrison (just 15 miles west of Denver) has charmed musicians from nearly every genre, from legends like the Beatles, the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix to electronic artists, opera singers and classical instrumentalists, including the Colorado Symphony. There’s no doubt that a concert outlined by ever-changing Rocky Mountain skies at the venue is a must, but the grounds of Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park supply plenty more to do: hiking, fossil hunting, Easter sunrise service, film series and yoga and other exercise classes. Find other Denver trip ideas starting on page 102. PHOTOGRAPHER: EFRAÍN M. PADRÓ MOUNT EVANS Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America. As you would expect, the views up to 14,265-foot peak are breathtaking, with alpine lakes, granite walls and stands of twisted, ancient bristlecone pine. Just south of Idaho Springs, the entrance to Mount Evans Road greets drivers with groves of pine trees that gradually give way once you rise above timberline (altitudes where trees cannot grow). Riding along the exposed mountainside yields magnificent views of glacier-cut valleys and a seemingly endless horizon of sharp, rocky peaks. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats and bighorn sheep, which can be seen scampering merrily along the rocky mountainside. Learn more about the area, including Georgetown, Silver Plume and the gaming towns of Black Hawk and Central City on page 164. PHOTOGRAPHER: CELIN SERBO WINE COUNTRY Wine country lures visitors to sip the deliciousness of perfect grapes, juicy peaches, sweet cherries and other colorful edibles amid stunning scenery. The area, situated mainly around Grand Junction and Palisade, is a lush agricultural oasis. Warm days and cool nights create ideal growing conditions for sweet fruit. Spend a day visiting wineries, cideries, family farms, orchards and fruit stands to savor the flavors of this region, as well as Western Slope marvels including Colorado National Monument and the stunning Bookcliffs. Find other wine country trip ideas on page 162. PHOTOGRAPHER: KEN REDDING ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Rocky greets more than 3 million annual visitors but still has plenty of solitude to offer amid its thick evergreen forests, rugged peaks, crystalline lakes, waterfalls and trails. This 103-year-old national park conjures up what most people imagine when they think of the Rockies and finds its way onto most visitors’ travel itineraries. The 415-square-mile playground, bookended by Estes Park and Grand Lake, occupies a hefty chunk of northern Colorado and draws family vacationers, hikers, wildlife watchers, rock climbers and photographers year-round. Read more about the park and the towns that bookend it on pages 121 and 157. PHOTOGRAPHER: C2 PHOTOGRAPHY DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT A 2,500-foot gash known as the Yampa River Canyon winds through sky-scraping cliffs that were virtually unexplored until 1928. Those first explorers paddled the river and shared their stories. Their tales caught the notice of preservationists, ultimately leading Franklin D. Roosevelt to name the river corridor a national monument. The publicity also enticed thrill-seekers to ride down the river solely for recreation. This was the beginning of Colorado’s whitewater rafting industry. Today, you can still raft down the Class III–IV Yampa waters, as well as the Green River (also within the monument), with several outfitters. There are also hiking and biking trails, and backcountry camping, fishing and horseback riding are allowed within the monument near the town of Dinosaur. Read more about our public lands on page 162. PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC WUNROW GREAT PLAINS Despite its Rocky Mountain reputation, a large part of Colorado is quite flat, running east of the mountains toward Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. As part of the Great Plains, the area is known primarily for its peaceful grasslands, lakes and reservoirs. In the northeast, the South Platte River winds a lush course through farmland. In the southeast, the Arkansas River runs alongside the historic Santa Fe Trail’s mountain branch as it meanders its way eastward toward its eventual confluence with the Mississippi River. Discover things to see and do on pages 192–195. PHOTOGRAPHER: JASON LEWANDOWSKI
©Colorado. View All Articles.