O

Explore
Native
American

Visit
Aspen
in the
Summer

2015 COLORADO EDITION

UTDOOR TRAVELER
Relax in
the Hot
Hprings

Learn
About
Colorado
Heritage

4
5

2015 COLORADO EDITION

UTDOOR TRAVELER

Mountains were made to move
you. Come remember what freedom
feels like. And forget that traffic jams
and spreadsheets even exist. Go farther
than youve ever gone before. From this
vantage point, you can see everything
except limits. Colorado isn't just a place to
visit. It's a place where you feel alive.

3 8 Awesome Ways to

Experience Aspen in the
Summer
Visions of Aspen typically include winters

packed with world-class skiing, but its also a

cant-miss summer destination. Whether youre
seeking a family vacation, relaxation or all-out
adventure, there are plenty of ways to explore

this lovely mountain town in the warmer months.

4 A Complete Guide to

Colorado National Heritage
Areas

Colorados three National Heritage Areas

show off the natural beauty and Western history

our state is known for and represent Colorados
many contributions to the nations diverse
heritage.

5 Where to Play, Sip and Stay

in Breckinridge, CO

Ski areas are a treasure trove of activities

both on and off the slopes.

6 Native American Sites to

Explore

We cant very well discuss Colorados true roots

without remembering our earliest inhabitants.
The following sites and museums will have your
imagination floating back in time to the first and
most fascinating human experiences in Colorado.

7 Hot Springs & Cool Adventures

in Buena Vista &

Salida
Every year, flocks of adventurer-seekers

make the journey to Buena Vista and Salida,

welcoming mountain towns that share the
landscape with 15 magnificent 14,000-foot
peaks, relaxing hot springs and the legendary

2015 Colorado Ed. - Outdoor Traveler |

8 Awesome Ways to
Experience
Aspen in the Summer

1. Break out your hiking boots to traverse one of the many trails
around the Roaring Fork Valley.
Beginners will be comfortable on the Rio Grande Trail, which starts
behind the post office on Puppy Smith Road and follows a paved
path most of the way along the Roaring Fork River.
2. Catch a music show or live performance at various festivals
and venues.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass puts on the annual June Experience and
three-day Labor Day Experience, plus a summer series of free
concerts in nearby Snowmass. The Aspen Music Festival & School,
spanning from late June to late August, is an ode to classical
music while providing training to college-age students.
3. Hitch a ride on the Silver Queen gondola up Aspen Mountain.
Sweeping views greet those who make the ascent, as well as several
free activities with the purchase of a gondola ticket. Breathe in the
fresh air and find your zen during a mountaintop yoga class on
select days from June through August. Summer weekends bring
live music classical on Saturdays and bluegrass for Sundays
and picnicking. An 18-hole disc golf course is one of the highest
official courses in the world.

Evening on the pedestrian mall

Aspen, CO

4. Indulge in delicious culinary experiences.

Rock climbers can take to the routes around Independence Pass

Save room in your itinerary to linger al fresco over an expertly

just east of Aspen and scale massive walls of granite.

prepared meal at one of Aspens many amazing restaurants. For

fine dining, you cant go wrong with the Forbes five-star Element

7. Push some pedals to see Aspen in a different way.

47 in The Little Nell hotel.

One popular biking jaunt is the Rio Grande Trail, which goes all
the way to Glenwood Springs. Stop off at Woody Creek Tavern for

5. Get a retail therapy fix.

lunch about halfway between Aspen and Snowmass.

Though downtown Aspen is relatively compact, it manages to fit

in more than 200 shops ranging from consignment to eclectic

8. Slow down the pace for a day of relaxation.

boutiques and designer storefronts. Spend an afternoon strolling

Leave some time for to experience the quiet side of Aspen,

the pedestrian malls and browsing vintage apparel, fashion trends,

especially if youre planning a romantic couples getaway. Begin

accessories, art, home goods, unique gifts and more.

with morning meditation at the John Denver Sanctuary, where

the idyllic setting is sure to provide quiet contemplation. Book

6. Defy gravity with thrill-seeking activities.

pampering spa treatments at Remde in the St. Regis hotel or the

Aspen already sits at about 8,000 feet in elevation, but daredevils

Aspen Club & Spas aromatherapy massage.

who want to achieve even higher altitudes can do so with gutsy

ventures. Aspen Paraglidings certified pilots will take you on a
tandem flight up to 18,000 feet for the ultimate birds eye view.

4 | Outdoor Traveler - 2015 Colorado Ed.

A Complete Guide to the

Colorado National
Heritage Area

South Park National Heritage Area

Colorados mining and
ranching heritage lives
on in Park Countys
South Park, an area
known for its wealth
of lovingly preserved
historic structures and
exquisite landscapes.
Incorporating
the
central
Colorado
communities of Alma,
Como,
Fairplay,
Hartsel,
Jefferson
and Lake George, the
South Park National
Heritage
Area
embodies the spirit of
the American West.

South Parks diverse

landscape is also
a major part of the
areas significance.
Situated in vast river
valley surrounded by
14,000-foot
peaks,
the area possesses
an abundance of
natural
resources,
including
mineral
deposits,
ancient
Bristlecone
pines,
unique
geological
formations and more
than 100 rare or
endangered
plant
and animal species.

Sangre De Cristo
The Sangre De Cristo
National
Heritage
Area
encompasses
Conejos, Costilla and
Alamosa
counties
and more than 3,000
square miles. The
newest
National
Heritage Area in the
U.S.
the
corridor
showcases the rich
history of southcentral
Colorados
San Luis Valley, home
to Colorados earliest
civilizations and a
bounty of natural and
historical assets.The

massive area includes

portions of the Sangre
De Cristo Range, Great
Sand Dunes National
Park and Preserve,
three national wildlife
refuges, a national
forest,
two
forest
wilderness areas, 15
state wildlife areas, a
nature conservancy
preserve, 20 cultural
properties listed on
the National Register
of Historic Places and
the headwaters of
the Rio Grande River
system.

Cache La Poudre River

The 120-mile Cache La Poudre River originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows across the plains to merge with the
South Platte River. The river represents several milestones, including the development of water law in the Western
U.S., the evolution of water delivery systems and shaping of the northern Colorados cultural heritage. The Cache La
Poudre River Heritage Area extends for 45 miles beginning in Larimer County at Roosevelt National Forests eastern
border, through Fort Collins and ending east of Greeley. According to local legend, a group of French fur trappers were
camped along the banks of the river in the early 1800s. When a snowstorm hit, they decided to lighten their load and
hide (cache) their gunpowder (la poudre). As a result, the river was named Cache la Poudre (hide the gunpowder).

Great Sand Dunes

National Park Reser ve

South Park City, CO

For t Collings 1883 Water Works

2015 Colorado Ed. - Outdoor Traveler |

Where to Play, Sip

and Stay in
Breckenridge, CO
B re c k en r i d ge s i d e nti ty
h as t ra n s for m e d s i nce
the boom t ow n m i ni ng
day s o f t h e 1800s . Whats
re ma ine d a re h i s to r i c
m em ent os
re f ur bi s he d
in to h o t e ls , war m i ng huts
and eate r i e s for spi r i te d
wint e r e n t h u s i as ts .

lunch and h op on t h e
B e ave r Mea dow Tra il t o
Jo s i e s Ca b in , a h istoric
m i ne r s
ca b in
n a med
afte r an 180 0s woma n
w ho li ve d in th e stru ctu re
w i th he r h u sb a n d a n d
fo ur
children .
En joy
yo ur me a l in t h e ca b in
and take in t h e sweep in g
vi e w s o f Cu cu mb er Gu lch
Wi ld life P reserve.

S ip :

P l ay:

A t t h e bas e o f
B re c k en r i d ge
R e s o r t,
the Brec k e n r i d ge No rd i c
Ce nt er offe r s s n o w s ho e
trail s
t h at
l e ad
to
three
h i s t or i c
cabi ns
func t io n i n g as m o d e s t
w a r min g h ut s . Pack a

Sn a g
a
t a b le
at The Wa rmin g Hu t
R e s taurant a n d Ba r on
Mai n Street , on ce h ome
to Summit Cou n ty s first
ne w s paperma n ,
wh o
bro ug ht
h is
p rin t in g
pre s s to Brecken ridge
vi a s le d an d wa gon over
B o re as Pa ss. Argu a b ly
o ne o f t h e b est h a p p y
ho ur d e a ls in t own , Th e
W ar m i ng Hu t serves $ 6

a n d $8 cockt ai l s li k e
t h e Hen drix Mu le w i t h
elderflower liq u e u r and
t h e Hu t Hon ey Tod d y ,
sh owca sin g
Lov e land s
S p rin g44 h on ey v od k a.

S t a y: Two b locks of f M ai n
St reet a n d ju st a h op , s k i p
a n d ju mp from t h e g ond ola
is th e ch erish ed F i re s i d e
In n Bed & Brea kfa s t . T hi s
h u mb le in n locat e d i n
Brecken ridge s
hi s t or i c
district offers trad i t i onal
bed-and-breakfaststyle rooms or dor m i t or y
a ccommodation s, m e ani ng
it s on e of the m os t
a fforda b le p la ces t o s t ay
in t own .
Top Left: Prime Rib from the
Warming Hut
Right: Outside the Breckenridge
Nordic Center
Bottom Left: Skier in Breckenridge

Native
American
Sites to
Explore
1. Mesa Verde National Park,
Cortez
Inside this national treasure
are over 600 dwellings carved
out of rock thousands of years
ago by the areas Ancestral
Puebloans. They sit abandoned
by their creators beneath
protective cliffs. Come see
the Southwestern landscape
through new eyes: climb ancient
staircases, marvel at the
sandstone masonry and peer
through rock-carved windows
into the past.
2. Ute Council Tree, Delta
When is a tree not just a tree?
When its a 200-year-old
cottonwood where Chief Ouray,
his wife Chipeta and Ourays
braves met with white settlers
to smoke the pipe of peace
and settle their differences.
Chipeta was said to have
been the only American Indian
woman ever permitted to sit
in council meetings. The tree
was designated a Colorado
Landmark and is marked by a

plaque provided by the local

chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
3. Canyons of the Ancients
National Monument, Dolores
There are more than 6,000
documented
archaeological
sites in this outdoor museum,
but most are not marked or
obvious to the untrained eye.
Read: Fewer crowds, but a findit-yourself approach. A great
starting point is the Anasazi
Heritage Center, which provides
information on exploring the
monument, as well as exhibits
on archaeology and local
history,
two
12th-century
archaeological sites and a
nature trail.
8. Sand Creek Massacre Site, Eads
A visit to this site (the

only Civil
War site in Colorado) uncovers
the seldom-told story of a
unprovoked attack on a group of
Cheyenne and Arapaho people.
In 1864, a group of 675 U.S.
volunteer cavalry slaughtered

Top: Ute Council Tree

Middle: Sand Creek Massacre Site
Bottom: Canyons of the Ancient National Monument

2015 Colorado Ed. - Outdoor Traveler |

Hot Springs & Cool

Adventures in Buena
Vista & Salida

Arrive in Chaffee County and get settled into your

accommodations. Theres a bounty of places to stay in
Buena Vista and Salida, including hotels, campgrounds,
bed and breakfasts, lodges, ranches and guest houses.
Start your trip at one of three hot springs, year-round
soaking grounds with naturally heated, mineral-rich
waters. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort has two
man-made pools and access to rustic Chalk Creek,
while Salida Hot Springs boasts the largest indoor hotsprings facility in country. For a historic dip, head to
Cottonwood Hot Springs, which has gratified travelers
with serious soaks since the late 1800s.
After ample time at our comforting pools, choose from
a mix of restaurants in Salida for dinner. From pizza
and Colorado craft brews and steak and fine wine to
cuisine from around the world, there are options for all
tastes. If youre visiting in the summertime, explore the
areas friendly nightlife scene. Many restaurants and
bars have cozy patios and live music to help you savor
the mountain setting.

Top: Mount Princton Hot Springs Resort

Bottom: Colorado Trail

Spend the morning exploring Browns Canyon National

Monument, a hot destination for whitewater rafting
and Gold Medal fishing. Named a national monument
in 2015, the river-carved gorges striking rock spires,
granite outcroppings and views of the Arkansas River
Valley are truly breathtaking. Other popular summer
activity options include stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
and kayaking on the Arkansas River. Buena Vistas
South Main Street River Park is the longest whitewater
park of its kind in the U.S.

If you prefer to hike, sections of the famed Colorado Trail intersect with the awe-inspiring 14,000-foot
Collegiate Peaks near Buena Vista and Salida. You can also choose to summit one of the areas 15
fourteeners the densest concentration of the grandiose peaks in Colorado.
For an adrenaline-filled day, head to an Arkansas Valley aerial adventure park, where you can sail through
the crisp mountain air on a zipline. With more than 120 challenges, including swinging bridges and tightrope
walks, Captain Zipline is the largest aerial adventure park in the western U.S. Meanwhile, Browns Canyon
Adventure Park suspends zipliners above the roaring river, and Arkansas Valley Adventures allows daring
visitors to soar from cliff top to treetop on a 44-acre course.
Those passionate about the arts should spend the afternoon exploring the wealth of art galleries in
downtown Buena Vista and Salida. Recognized as a Certified Colorado Creative District, Salida has more

OT

2015 Colorado Edition

OutdoorTraveler.com
405 N. Broadway Ave.
Denver, CO 60512
918.222.2222

Facebook: Outdoor
Traveler Magazine
Twitter:
@OutdoorTraveler