Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for colorado
Colorado Without the Crowds
By Linda Tancs
Idyllic mountainscapes are ubiquitous in Colorado. So are the crowds. Many of them flock to Rocky Mountain National Park for the grandeur of its snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and diverse wildlife. You can, too, but if you’d like to view the same assets on a quieter scale, then head to State Forest State Park. Just as scenic as its famous sister, you’ll find 71,000 acres of forest, back-country trails, jagged peaks, alpine lakes and abundant wildlife, including its beloved moose population. The park is located approximately two hours west of Fort Collins and is separated from Rocky Mountain National Park at its southeast border by Thunder Pass (a saddle between Lulu Mountain and Static Peak), a trail primarily used for hiking, camping and backpacking from June to October.
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To the Heights in Colorado
By Linda Tancs
Just 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado, Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America. The starting point is Idaho Springs. From there the route offers 9,000 feet of elevation gain, from the high plains of Denver through five climate zones to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Evans. It’s one of 54 peaks in the state that soars to a height of 14,000 feet or above, known collectively as the “fourteeners.” Because of snow, the entire journey to the summit is open only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A national forest information center at Idaho Springs has maps and information on hiking trails and road conditions.
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America’s Mountain
By Linda Tancs
Colorado’s Pikes Peak is affectionately referred to as “America’s Mountain” because, as the story goes, its summit inspired Katharine Lee Bates to pen “America the Beautiful.” It certainly is an iconic part of the country’s landscape, soaring to a height of 14,115 feet. You can reach the summit with a ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog railway in the world. Along the three-hour return trip you’ll see bristlecone pines, one of the longest-lived species on earth. In fact, some of those pines on Pikes Peak are estimated to be over 2,000 years old. The views are equally inspiring at the peak, where you’ll be rewarded with views including the Continental Divide, the Garden of the Gods and various cities like Woodland Park, Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. The railway’s base station is in Manitou Springs, a few miles west of Colorado Springs.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Vertical Splendor in Colorado
By Linda Tancs
Colorado’s Black Canyon National Park is divided by the canyon into a North Rim and South Rim. Formidable in scope, only the rims (not the gorge) show evidence of human occupation since written history began. The more primitive side is North Rim, offering sweeping views of Black Canyon. You’ll get equally magnificent views of the canyon from South Rim, especially at Gunnison Point, one of 12 overlooks. It’s located near the Visitor Center, where three hiking trails are also accessible. One of the most astounding formations visible from many of the overlooks is Painted Wall, the highest cliff in Colorado. From river to rim it stands at 2,250 feet. That’s just a few hundred feet less than Burj Khalifa in Dubai, one of the tallest buildings in the world at 2,717 feet. The rims are not connected. Both rim drives have one access point from the highway; driving from one rim to the other involves driving along non-park roads and can take over two hours.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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A Landmark Ride in the West
By Linda Tancs
Sixty-four miles of Rocky Mountain splendor await you on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad running between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. A National Historic Landmark, the rails were originally constructed in 1880 as part of the Rio Grande’s narrow-gauge San Juan extension, which served the silver mining district of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Almost lost to history when the last freight train crossed the Cumbres Pass in 1968, the historic route was bought and preserved by both states. Unlike other legacy routes, it features original coal fired, steam operated, narrow gauge locomotives and 19th century passenger cars. Scenic highlights include the Rockies, Chama Valley, Toltec Gorge, Cumbres Pass (the highest mountain pass reached by rail in the U.S.) and alpine meadows lined with wildlflowers, along with an array of wildlife like elk, deer and bears. It takes under seven hours to traverse the entire 64-mile line from Antonito to Chama or vice versa. The regular season runs this year to October 20. Buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.
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Denver’s First Block
By Linda Tancs
Denver, Colorado, was officially chartered in 1861, and Larimer Street (named after the city’s founder) became the city’s first street. Historically preserved for 51 years now, the site saw its fortunes fall with the crash of silver and rise again during Prohibition as host of the city’s hottest speakeasy. The luster quickly faded when the old street became skid row amidst rising development in other parts of the city following World War II. Community activism resulted in restoration beginning with the 1400 block of Larimer Street, now known as Larimer Square. Located in historic Lower Downtown (LoDo), the tony locale now boasts a lively mix of restaurants, clubs and shops. Its oldest retailer, Gusterman Silversmiths, is still a treasured tenant.
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Taking the High Road in Colorado
By Linda Tancs
Trail Ridge Road, spanning Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, is the highest continuous paved road in the United States at an elevation of 12,183 feet. It connects Estes Park on the east side to the town of Grand Lake on the park’s western slope. One of the state’s most famous scenic drives, the road crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to see the Divide as it winds it way through the state. Due to heavy snowfall, the road is only open from May to October.
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Rocky Mountain High
By Linda Tancs
The Rocky Mountains have their share of high points. For instance, there’s Grays Peak, the highest point along the Continental Divide and the Rockies’ 10th highest summit. Longs Peak is another high and prominent summit, beckoning climbers like Rev. William Butler (who climbed it on his 85th birthday) and Clerin “Zumie” Zumwalt, who summited 53 times. Those peaks are both located in Colorado, the home of Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is in the midst of a year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary. Free talks, walks and evening programs are being offered until the centennial celebration closes in September; be sure to check their schedule of events.
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The Great Divide
By Linda Tancs
The Continental Divide is an epic hydrological divide separating the watersheds draining into the Atlantic Ocean from those draining into the Pacific Ocean. In the United States, its route is over 3,000 miles long, extending from the Canadian border with Montana to the Mexican boundary in southwest New Mexico. Following this course you’ll find the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, part of a series of national trails established by Congress in recognition of their natural beauty. The Continental Divide trail in particular passes through 25 national forests, 21 wilderness areas and three national parks, providing access to spectacular vistas in some of the most scenic places left in the world. The highest point is in Colorado at Grays Peak (14,270 feet) and the lowest is along Waterton Lake in Glacier National Park in Montana (4,200 feet). The long winter season along the Divide (September through May) is now over. Why not plan a hiking or camping trip! From backpacking to family day trips, there’s something for everyone.
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Denver’s Oldest House
By Linda Tancs
Denver’s Four Mile House is the city’s oldest structure, a testament to Colorado’s frontier past. Operating as a stage stop in the 1860s, it was the last stop coming west to Denver along the Cherokee Trail. The house is the centerpiece of Four Mile Historic Park, a 12-acre park just miles from downtown Denver. The locale offers year round educational programming showcasing Colorado’s rich pioneer history. The house museum is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday.
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