Roaring Fun in the Roaring Fork Valley: Aspen, Snowmass & Glenwood Springs / COME TO LIFE 5 SIDETRIPS Detour to the small town of Basalt at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers for fishing and rapids, paddleboarding on Ruedi Reservoir, charming shops and cafes. Amid the myriad of activities, Basalt still preserves its original, quaint charm. Down the valley in Carbondale , the new (and free!) Powers Art Center focuses on contemporary and pop art. Having been recently named a Certified Colorado Creative District, arts events, performances and classes abound. Touted as one of “The Top 10 Adventure Towns in the U.S.” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine , there is plenty to do including biking, kayaking and world-class fly-fishing. In winter, excellent cross-country skiing can be found at Spring Gulch. Marble is tucked away in the Crystal River Valley. Visitors who make the off-road trek to the ghost town of Crystal are welcomed by a marvelous sight: the 1893 Silver Boom Crystal Mill, an eye-catching remnant of the mining activities that influenced settlement in the area. Back in town, stop at the Marble Mu-seum and the Abstract Marble & Gift Shop to browse the crystallized stone that earned the town its name. 4 ride to the top of Aspen or nearby Snowmass Mountain for 360-degree views. On Aspen Mountain , hike the well-marked trails and dine at the Sundeck ; on Snowmass Mountain , play disc golf or mountain bike on 40 miles of trails. Just 1 mile from down-town Aspen, try your hand at the Gold Butte Climbing Area , which has routes for all levels. Or tackle the new Snowmass Loop Trail , with 25 miles of mountain-biking bliss for riders of all abilities. Or explore the Rio Grande Trail (5) , a paved path that starts in Aspen and follows the Roaring Fork River. Those up for more of a challenge should take the Cathedral Lake and American Lake trails — just two prime spots for amazing wildflower color. No visit to the area is com-plete without making your way to Maroon Lake via the shuttle from Aspen Highlands (8am–5pm mid-June to Labor Day only). This meadow-ensconced lake with the striped, tilted pyramids of the twin Maroon Bells (4) in the background is one of North America’s most famous mountain scenes. Or take in a workshop, artist lecture or gallery tour at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center (6) , an artists’ residency on a historic ranch in Snowmass. The Aspen Art Museum ’s new building by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban houses contemporary art and dra-matic mountain views from its rooftop sculpture garden. Time for dinner, and you’re in luck: This area has a world-class dining scene. Chefs at restaurants like Matsuhisa , Grey Lady and Element 47 6 create their menus around whatever local produce is in season. Or check out Avalanche Cheese Company’s Meat & Cheese Butcher Shop (7) for perfect picnic ingredients. Aspen and Snowmass both host blockbuster events each year, from summer concert series to balloon festivals, food-and-wine events, races and relays, golf classics, wellness festivals, rodeos, kids activities and much more. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: RIO GRANDE TRAIL, GLENWOOD SPRINGS CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION; ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER; AVALANCHE CHEESE COMPANY, C2 PHOTOGRAPHY; CARBONDALE, LISA SEAMAN; MAROON BELLS WILDERNESS, KENNAN HARVEY. 7 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Aspen (page 196), Basalt (page 196), Carbondale (page 199), Glenwood Springs (page 204), Marble (page 209), Redstone (page 211), Rifle (page 211), Snowmass (page 212) COLORADO.COM / 129
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 129
