Is there anything interesting to see between the two? Something to break up the drive. Maybe even a overnighter. No big detour, just something more or less on the way. Parks, hikes, scenic beauty, etc. that kind of crap.
thanks!
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Is there anything interesting to see between the two? Something to break up the drive. Maybe even a overnighter. No big detour, just something more or less on the way. Parks, hikes, scenic beauty, etc. that kind of crap.
thanks!
Glenwood Hot Springs? There are also a few breweries in Grand Junction. Don't remember which one I stopped at, but it had decent food. Definitely better than truckstop. If you are going to Moab to bike(I assume), you could always hit Fruita.
Edit: I remember maybe a decade ago taking the trip from Denver to SLC. Stopped in Vail to have dinner with family, and my uncle told my GF that it was a shame she couldn't see Glenwood Canyon during the day. Wrong. There was a full moon and snow, and it was like I'd never seen it before. Still remember a few hours outside of SLC, GF is asleep, started snowing, slowed down. Looked out of the passenger window and saw a buffalo go by. Musta been delirious.
When?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ripzalot
Hike up to Hanging Lake, in Glenwood Canyon.
Glenwood is a pretty nice town, but the bridge over I-70 is under construction and that detracts from the ambiance.
After Memorial Day, a short detour through Leadville, over Independence Pass, with an overnight in Aspen.
Then you could check out the Belly Up, the best live music venue in any mountain town.
Colorado National Monument on the south side of 70 in Fruita/GJ is a pretty amazing drive through the national monument. Definitely take the back way into Moab. Get off exit 214, get on 128, left on 128 just past Cisco, to drive along the river. Watch out for cops.
^^^^This^^^^.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phall
Also, Escalante just S. of Grand Junction on 50 along the Gunnison is gorgeous. Maybe 15 miles off I-80 to Dominghuez Canyon Road.
You could overnight in Palisade on your way in to Grand Junction and the CO National Monument. There are a bunch of little wineries and breweries with tasting rooms/stores along the hiker/biker path by the river. It's pretty country for a leisurely, slightly wobbly bike ride. Then drive up and over through the National Monument and go into Moab the back way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster Highmen
July-OCT there are some great hikes on both sides of the Gore Range. Silverthorne or Vail side.
If you are looking to stop for hot springs in Glenwood, Iron Mountain hot springs is newer and supposed to be nicer than the original hot springs. I haven't been yet, but I've heard good things. http://www.ironmountainhotsprings.com
Options along the way for scenic stops and hikes
Loveland pass
Vail Pass
Glenwood springs/hanging lake - hot springs pool
Roaring Fork valley/Aspen (could go via Independence Pass June-October)
Colorado National Monument
Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood is a newer, much nicer option than the standard Glenwood Hot Springs (which is basically just a giant, warm swimming pool). A little pricier but apparently well worth it - I haven't been yet, but it's in my plan for the next time I go to Moab or Fruita; we usually stop at the hot springs on the way back to the Front Range to soak out the camping grime and dirt and sooth sore muscles from biking and sleeping on the ground.
X2 for Colorado National Monument, it's amazing. Stop at Hot Tomato for pizza in Fruita if the timing works out.
Some good options...
If you have your bikes with you... you'll be driving by some damn fine biking.
Kokopeli in Mack/Loma area
Lunch Loops
18 Road in Fruita
Palisade Rim
Roaring Fork Valley
Eagle
Etc....
Hot springs.. there is a new one in GWS.. Or overnight at Avalanche hot springs outside of Carbondale.
Shit ton of good food, but second Shred's ambiance observation.
Don't drive Colorado National Monument, road bike it.
Are you a mountain biker?
Hit the trails in Eagle... unless you're going this weekend.
There are good suggestions listed above, like the hot springs and CNM and the Moab backway, but if you are going to Moab to bike, just beeline it there with maybe a quick bike stop in Fruita. CO is great, but it's no Switzerland for hiking (you are coming from SWI, right?).
If you have the time. Set your GPS to avoid highways. Pick a direction to Moab thru the Colorado National Monument. The good memories will find you. That's what Mrs and I did when we traveled through that stretch on our way to another room of our life together.
I've never heard of this place but it sounds nice. Maybe like Moab/Arches with a lot fewer people?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McInni...servation_Area
It's pretty cool. Worth checking out for sureQuote:
Originally Posted by old goat
Summer trip. Tour of the desert sw. Rather flying into Vegas and looping I was thinking Denver to Vegas and hit stuff on the way. Biking Fruita and moab is in the plan. Looks like there is way more in CO than I originally thought. Thanks guys.
Summer is very hot and very dry in the places you speak of. More appropriate for now and the fall. Even then, extremely dry. Like, the dryest place you will ever recreate.
But, f you insist, hydrate constantly.
Plan on biking and hiking early in the am or in the evening. Try to veg out in the shade at mid-day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ripzalot
Quote:
Originally Posted by grskier
Lunch Loops- Grand Junction - I'm just starting but some of the hardest technical trails I have ever seen
18 Road in Fruita - meh flowie dirt with steep bits, can be crowded on weekend when we were there
& Western Rim - 1/3 way from Fruita to Moab - super scenic not crowded - "This trail has arguably the best scenery and rim riding in the area."
When we were at Road 18 some people were riding at night, go to take a leak and some dude with a big head lamp goes by you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirshredalot
Maybe don't take a leak in the middle of Kessle Run?Quote:
Originally Posted by DougW
Night riding is fucking dope!
Nope , camping so they were coming back to site across the way from us.
Yeah, wife is a teacher so the only chance do do this for a multi week stretch is summer. I'm getting old so getting up early isn't a problem anymore. I kind of prefer a sunrise bike/hike for the atmosphere and serenity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Benny Profane
A couple of cooler options if you are coming in summer. Drive up or road bike to the top of Mt Evans next to Idaho Springs. Paved road above 14,000 feet.
Ovenight/camp in Frisco on shores of Lake Dillon. Plenty of good Single track mountain biking in the Breckenridge area. Or road bike Vail pass.
Book a rafting trip in Glennwood Springs.
Yeah, now that we know that you are coming in the summer, and have bikes, you'll probably want to stop in Summit, Eagle, or take a side trip to CB. You'll have much better temps in the mountains. Probably 70-80ºF rather than 90-100ºF in the desert.
Cutting through Telluride would be nice!Quote:
Originally Posted by shredgnar