SIDETRIPS Detour to the small town of Basalt at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Fryingpan rivers for Gold Medal fishing and rapids, kayaking in a new whitewater park, paddleboarding on Ruedi Reservoir, and charming shops, galleries and cafes. Amid the myriad 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, paddleboarding 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. The Marble Hub is a great place to get questions answered, sip coffee and get the lay of the land. 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 (pictured above), an eye-catching remnant of the mining activities that influenced settlement in the area. Paddleboard rentals are available for use on Beaver Lake. Back in town, stop at the Marble Gallery to browse the crystallized stone that earned the town its name. New Castle is 9 miles west of Glenwood Springs. Take the new self-guided historical tour to learn about the area and meander through locally owned shops and restaurants. 5 46 of trails. Just 1 mile from downtown Aspen, try your hand at the Gold Butte Climb-ing 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 , 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. Follow the crowds to Maroon Lake (4) via the shuttle from Aspen Highlands (8am–5pm mid-June to early October only). The striped, tilted pyra-mids of the twin Maroon Bells reflecting in the lake below is one of North America’s most famous mountain scenes. A semi-secret way to see these iconic peaks is from the top of Snowmass Mountain, a view that is easily accessible in summer or winter from the top of the Elk Camp lift. As an alternative, Independence Pass (5) offers a variety of rec-reational opportunities from hiking and biking to climbing and exploring a ghost town. There’s also the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies , a 25-acre nature preserve just steps from downtown, home to birds of prey and lush riparian ecosystems. Or, explore the (free!) Aspen Art Museum ’s new building by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, which houses contemporary art and dra-matic mountain views from its rooftop sculpture garden. In Snowmass, the also-free Ice Age Discovery Center (6) teaches about the 2010 find that became the finest high-elevation Ice Age fossil site in the world. 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 create their menus around whatever local produce is in season. Or check out Avalanche Cheese Company’s Restaurant & Farm Shop (7) for perfect picnic ingredients. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: CRYSTAL MILL, JASON LEWANDOWSKI; MAROON BELLS, GLENN RANDALL; CLIMBING NEAR INDEPENDENCE PASS, CELIN SERBO; ICE AGE DISCOVERY CENTER, BLAINE HARRINGTON III; AVALANCHE CHEESE COMPANY. 7 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Aspen (page 188), Basalt (page 189), Carbondale (page 191), Glenwood Springs (page 197), Marble (page 201), Redstone (page 203), Rifle (page 203), Snowmass (page 204) COLORADO.COM / 121
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 121
