Heading West

[Philosopher]

Need some help if anyone can give some ...

Alison and I are going on our honeymoon in a couple weeks and are driving out West. We'll have just over 2 weeks. The original plan was to drive out to Denver/Boulder, hang out in the Rockies for a few days, check out a couple trails, then head to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for a good week or more. Then we were going to head out on the Beartooth Hwy and the areas just outside of Yellowstone. I got some great directions and ideas of places to see in WY from DesertRAT. Unfortunately with the cold and snowy weather that the Yellowstone area is having right now, they may close up the parks due to inclement weather before Alison and I even get out there.

So, my query is this: anybody know where I can find a list of the closing dates for the trails in Colorado? Anybody have any great advice as to what else we should go see in Colorado other than Sand Dunes NP and Rocky Mt. NP? I know the only place we can ski in CO in October is Loveland - anybody ever been there?

Looking for any and all info please. TIA!

- Bachelor Boy till Oct. 12

[Philosopher]

No takers huh? WWWAAAHHH!


:bonghitte:

[wqbang]

We could help you out here in the PNW

[evergreen]

yes, i have skied loveland. its worth it.
silverton in co. reported 40 inches in septmeber, but from what i hear you better be an expert. i don't know if it will be open but if you get the chance go ski jackson hole. i spent a week there last year and its the best place i have ever skied.

if you have any questions about colorado ski stuff, toss me a pm. i have 3 buddies that worked and lived at keystone for the 00 season. they know all the good bars, ski shops, etc, etc...

[tcdesign]

I don't live in Colorado anymore, but I can make some suggestions.
First off, Loveland is one of my favorite places to ski (they're also cheaper than the other big resorts). Second, to find some trails clsoe to Boulder, check out 4x4trails.net . Some of my favorite trails close to Boulder are Middle St. Vrain, Caribou Creek, and Kingston Peak (which may already have too much snow?).
You should check out Estes Park if you haven't been there before. In fact you can make a loop from Boulder to Nederland to Middle St. Vrain / Caribou Creek to Estes Park to Lyons and back to Boulder (about an hour drive if you don't stop).

I would also recommend going to the Snowy Range in Wyoming, specifically the Medicine Bow mountains. The hike to the top of Medicine Bow peak is fantastic, which is also the highest point in Wyoming I believe. There is also a lot of 4WD trails in the Medicine Bows, but they're hard to find. Ask a ranger for a map.

Thats about all I can recommend. Damn I miss Boulder.