Thanks to all the recent storms, Monarch’s new closing day is not until April 14th!!! Don’t miss the annual chili cook-off in the parking lot. It’s a great time to carouse around with the locals between runs and get yourself a delicious, free meal! And don’t forget to join or watch the rowdy race down Gun Barrel.
Less than a mile north of the cute little town of Fairplay, Colorado, on the Beaver Creek trail. These four moose made a brief appearance before disappearing back into the forest above the creek. Ski it, snowshoe it, or just hike it (likely not fit for bikes for at least a couple more months). It’s an easy trek you can make as short as you like, or follow it around all day!
Spectacular sunny views from the hiking and biking trails just outside of Royal Gorge Park. This time of year, there’s almost no one on them, and they’re surprisingly dry and warm. Miles and miles of easy biking and hiking trails to explore, and
Not far from Monarch Ski Area, this little gem of an unofficial trail was ripe for laying down fresh tracks.
Ever entered a hidden bar/lounge through a library wall in a barber shop? Welp, head on over to Durango, CO, and you can do it. Excellent cocktails and ambiance.
Sunrise above the Continental Divide, with a sliver of a moon visible on the other side of the trail. Old Monarch Pass is all dressed up in snow and ready for your cross county outings!
The gorgeous little ghost town of Gothic was named for the rocky spires that overlook the town like so many medieval church towers. The town has a handful of hearty, year-round residents, but in the summer it is mostly populated by climate researchers and hikers heading up into the Maroon Bells Wilderness area.
The lovely Fairview Cemetery on the edge of Salida, Colorado. You can get there from Airport Road (CR 140) or Crestone Avenue (CR 160).
If you’re in the area Aug. 19th, check out Como’s Railroad Day festival! They’ll have the roundhouse fired up and will offer little pumpcart rides on the rails. See you there!
Bishop Castle is located in the Wet Mountains, about 30 miles outside the equally bizarre and beautiful little town of WestCliffe, Colorado, and about an hour away from Sailda, CO.
Interested in a Drive Trip from Salida to Wyoming? If you want to check out a neat little uberwestern town (Population c. 30,000)…
Looking for an Earthship-Building class? Um, yes please, I want to stay in a yurt on top of Poncha Pass surrounded by...
Thinking of a drive trip to Crested Butte? Oh Crested Butte, would you just quit showing off already?! We get it, you’re off the hook beautiful, but seriously, enough already.
What is it with wacky, rural Coloradans and hand-built castles? Does the west attract eccentrics, or does the secluded life drive them there?