Explore Colorado || From East to West

Here’s a cliche; Colorado stole my heart.

I have said for years and years that I would never live, nor visit Colorado because it was just too cold. However, in my current mission to visit all 50 states, Colorado was going to have to happen sooner or later, and google told me November was a great time to go (lies) so it happened sooner.

Fact: Colorado was cold, but I had no time to think about the temperature because the entire state is just absolutely breath taking. EVERY route is the scenic route.

Another fact: November was NOT the greatest time to visit. Why? Because nearly every site I wanted to visit was already closed for the season. My entire itinerary was shot to hell in less than 1 hour after my arrival in Denver.

Yet another fact: The three days that I spent in Colorado were spent well, kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed every single second.

Let’s start from the beginning..

My flight was set to depart at 8:30 pm on November 2nd. So not only do Maryland drivers give up as soon as a raindrop falls from the sky, but so do pilots. (Yes, it was for our safety, blah blah blah, I promise I wasn’t one of those assholes yelling at the flight attendants when our flight was cancelled). So yes, our flight was cancelled after sitting in a stationary airplane for 2 hours. Therefore, I was left with no choice but to scramble to find the next flight out of BWI to Denver.

Tip #1: When your flight is cancelled unexpectedly, DO skip baggage claim and go straight to the check-in desk for assistance moving your flight. Your bag will still be there 3 hours later once you finally make it to the front of the line. Promise.

(Even better) Tip #2: While you’re waiting in said line at the check-in desk for 3 hours, DO call your airline. Odds are (and fortunately in my case) you will be able to move your flight on the phone in just 5 minutes before the good ones are given away and it will be much easier. Stay in line until everything is confirmed just to be on the safe side.

 

Day 1:

So I was able to get on the 8:30 am flight the following day. Downside? 2 hour layover in Dallas and an arrival time of 2:00 pm. However, after speaking with other people who went through the line at the desk, I was much more fortunate.

I landed in Denver, picked up my rental, and went to my BnB to drop off my things. I had planned to do a sunrise hike at Red Rocks, and then meander through Rocky Mountain National Park for the remainder of the day, but due to my later flight in, I cut my losses and settled for a sunset hike at Red Rocks instead. Still beautiful. My recommendation is the Trading Post trail.

After my hike, I drove over to Boulder for dinner and some shopping. I asked a few locals for recommendations and was directed to a restaurant called Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill. To be honest, I’m not sure if it was my choice in food, but I wasn’t very impressed. I ordered a steak salad and some sort of fried shrimp wontons which were mediocre at best, and the bartender wasn’t incredibly friendly. If I had to do it again, I would have tried out a brewery called Fate, which was the second local recommendation.

While I was here, I walked up and down Pearl Street for some time. There were plenty of unique little stores to shop in and so many talented street performers, and it felt like Christmas here. I loved it.

 

Day 2:

I had the luxury of spending Daylight Savings (the good one) in Colorado. So when I woke up to start Day 2 adventures, I was so well rested. My plans for the day were as follows: Two day hikes (Maroon Bells and Hanging Lake), I then planned to drive the summit road to Mt. Evans, and then spend my evening in Breckenridge. Here’s what ACTUALLY happened.

Maroon Bells (Aspen) is about a 4 hour drive from Denver. If you are going to go to Colorado any time after summer, I highly recommend using the website cotrip.org. This will inform you of any road closures, summit closures, etc. and is kept very well up to date. I did not have the pleasure of knowing about this website until much later during Day 2.

I started my drive to Maroon Bells. Taking the scenic route, I was surrounded by mountains and evergreens, and even stumbled upon a few rams. This route was AMAZING. The only downside, is that I made it about 3/4 of the way to Maroon Bells, when the road closed. So I sadly had to turn around and head back, super disappointed that I wasn’t able to see the Bells. Luckily, the Hanging Lake trail was on the way back, so I was able to make it here.

During the month of November, since Hanging Lake trail traffic is much slower than normal, you are actually able to park at the trail head. So I parked, and started my hike up to the summit. The Hanging Lake Trail is 2.8 miles out and back with elevation gains of 1,204 feet. This sounds like cake, but the entire trail is uphill, and at altitudes of 7,000 feet. All Trails ranks this “moderate” but for someone with little training and who lives at an altitude of a mere 304 feet above sea level in day to day life, I struggled more than I would like to admit. In addition to this, it was snowing/sleeting the entire hike, and during times could not see because I was being pelted in the face with snow. HOWEVER, I would do it again and again and again. The hike itself was challenging for me, and was one of the first challenging hikes I have completed solo. Once I reached the lake, I was beaming with pride and also taken aback by just how rare it is to find an actual lake at the top of a mountain. I definitely plan to return during warmer season to see the lake in all its blue glory on a sunny day, but I’d do it again in the snow too.

Pushing sun down, I quickly descended back to my car, and started my drive to Breckenridge, beaming with accomplishment, and starving, and here comes Colorado trip plot twist #594873980. During my 2 hour drive from Glenwood Springs to Breckenridge, the snow started to come down HARD, and soon I found myself approaching signs stating that the Vail pass was closed. The last exit I was able to take was Vail. After many detours, and police turn-arounds, I accepted my fate that I was going to be snowed in in the town of Vail. So, I booked an impromptu hotel room at Hotel Talisa. I have to say, if you are going to get snowed in in a random town in Colorado, let it be Vail. This place was awesome (despite off season).

Once I’d checked in and dropped off the small amount of bags I had with me from my day hike, I went out and grabbed dinner at a bar called Bully Ranch. Not sure if it was because I was starving, but this was one of the best burgers I have ever had in my life. The bartender was incredibly accomodating and shared plenty of tips on where to go out and what to do during my time there. I even met another female traveling solo and we ended up grabbing drinks later in the night! Icing on the cake was the mountain view I had from my hotel room the next morning.

Snowboarding trip to Vail is in my future plans for sure.

 

Day 3:

On my itinerary, Day 3 was supposed to be spent in southern Colorado (Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak, and the like). However, because I had a flight to catch, and a BnB to clean up I decided to just drive out to Breckenridge since I hadn’t made it there the day before. Have I mentioned that ALL OF THE ROUTES ARE SCENIC?! This was my view on my way from Vail to Breck.

Breckenridge was all that I could have dreamed and more. Such a beautiful little town. I spent my day here weaving in and out of stores, shopping. Since I had forgotten my winter coat, it was a bit brisk, and I found a really awesome shop called Ridden. The guy who helped me here talked me out of buying an expensive winter coat I would have never worn again and informed me that I could rent one for the day for only $20! Lifesaver. If you ever find yourself here, go to a store called Joy of Sox. They have quirky socks, jewelry, and other souvenirs that you won’t find in all of the other t-shirt stores on the block.

I stopped for lunch at a bar called Ollie’s. Supposedly they are known for their wings and burgers, and I can vouch for some really great wings, and if I ever find Bristol Brewing Co’s Beehive Honey Wheat beer anywhere in a store I am going to stock up for life, because it was the best beer I’ve had in a long time.

While walking around, I kept tossing ideas back and forth in my head on what to do next. It came down to this; ice skating, or tattoo. So I got a tattoo. Rocky Mountain Tattoo Emporium. The dude who owns the place is super laid back, was able to give me exactly what I wanted in less than an hour, and for an incredibly reasonable price. It’s healed nicely, and I love it. So, if you’re a tat > ice skating person like myself, I recommend this place.

I finished the afternoon by grabbing one more beer at Breckenridge Brewery (although, if I wasn’t pressed for time, I probably would have gone to Broken Compass). I had a vanilla porter here, and it wasn’t my favorite, but I’m interested to see what their seasonals are like other times of the year.

 

All in all, I did not cross many things off of my itinerary, which only gives me that much more of a reason to return, and as soon as possible. (In fact, a snowboarding trip is in the works for February). Colorado impressed me, challenged me, and completely changed my mind in a matter of 72 hours. I honestly have to say that besides the scenery, the people here were just incredible and a totally different breed in the best way possible. So laid back, so friendly. (Or maybe they were just high). Either way, I felt at home, while miles away from real home. I learned a lot, I experienced so many new things, and I WILL be back because there is so much more that I want to do and see here.

 

So with that, Colorado, we will meet again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things have been slow lately, I am aware. I am in the midst of planning future trips and solidifying plans for these. But as of right now, there should be a Vermont trip, Michigan, and Colorado Part 2 in the works, as well as many more small day trips around the DMV region. Please keep your eyes peeled for updates. You can also follow my adventures much more closely if you follow me on instagram @retracethesesteps, and like my facebook page! I typically update daily.

 

I also want to continue to point you in the direction of my discount code page. During this holiday season you can give back to a poorer community as well as treat your loved ones to some affordable Christmas goodies if you use my discount codes located in the links at the top right of the page here.

 

Thank you all for you continued support! I hope to be posting regularly again soon!

-C ♡