Hello Fellow Jk'ers in Colorado,

I am planning a road trip Christmas day (4-5 days) to drive to Colorado and want to check out the area. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can meet a few of you while I am there.

Feel free to make any suggestions or comments, at this point my plans are completely open - and have no particular place we are heading (we are thinking of skiing one day but have never done it before, we want to see mountains and the awesome scenery). I have alot of questions.

1. Is the weather up there just crazy , late December, do they close alot of roads?

2. Are there area's that are just impossible to go too even with our JK's so should we just stick to big towns like Denver?

3. If you were taking a road trip to Colorado and didn't live there what would you say we need to see? Can I still get there in December?

4. We were thinking Skiing 1 day - any place you recommend not way over priced to go and play around and rent some gear and try and ski?

5. I am excited to drive in alot of snow with my JK, so finding another JK or 2 to drive around with is essential if we take a less beaten path. Anyone up for some driving around? I am not necessarily looking for off roading as much as just site seeing and touring around in the snow - old towns or neat areas. I have a cb so I think it may be fun.

6. We want to try out some local restaurants or hard to get lodges to check out any suggestions?

7. Are there areas that we need to avoid, maybe too dangerous that time of year or just not much to see?

8. Any cool lodges or hotels that you would recommend we stay at, dont want way overpriced but more cool if you know what I mean.

In return for all the great info - if you are in the st. louis area I will return the favor or maybe we can meet up and have a few 's.

Thank's in advance for the info and advice!!!

Anyone who has been themselves but doesn't live there please feel free to share info!

I also welcome pics, video or links to threads about Colorado!!!

Red

 

I'm going to be in St. Louis over Christmas, just the opposite trip as yours.

The weather in December can be anywhere from 80 and sunny to feet of snow in the single digits in Denver. If we do get a snowstorm it's not unusual for the interstates to close across the eastern plains, but it's rare for snow to last longer than a few days at most. Nevertheless, it's good to have some flexibility if I-70 closes and you can't get back when you plan to.

I'd recommend Loveland for a laid back inexpensive place to ski. It's close to Denver and has lots of types of terrain, also inexpensive by comparison. You can rent equipment from Breezes a couple exits east off 70. PM me for details if you're interested.

There are a couple lodges with natural hot springs, Mt. Princeton near Buena Vista or Glenwood Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs. Is this a family trip?

I'd love to meet up with you, but won't likely be around while you're here. I'll be back on the 27th.

 

Thanks for the info and you can pm me or post stuff here, I will take as much info as you want to give.

This trip is just the wife and myself. I need info on the ski rental and places to stay. We may still be there on the 27th, we leave st. louis on the 25th at noon and we have to be back the 30th at 5pm for a concert at the very latest.

I told my wife about your post and we laughed about how we could swap houses for a few days, but I don't see how people do that. I like my stuff private ya know. haha

I hope we both have safe travels!!!

So what part of Colorado are you from?

Whats Denver like? Similar to chicago or St. louis?

Are there in roads that go up in the mountains for good scenery that may be open late december?

Tell me more about the hot springs have you done them?

What part of st. louis are you going too? Do you need to know anything about here? What are the dates of your trip?

Red

 

I,m heading that way on the 23rd going to keystone for a few days of skiing. returning on the 30th also.have fun and enjoy the trip. by the way if 70 is closed down for weather hwy 40 is usually open and runs along the same route.

 

Cool maybe we can all meet up for a beer

Red

 

PM sent

 

Xfactor, thanks for all the great info Bro, unless something better is mentioned I will be skiing where you recommended.

Looks like tcodtj and I will be able to meet up here in STL and Colorado.


I found out I have a friend of a friend that lives in redcliff and takes jeepers on tours up in the mountains during the summer so needless to say I will be swinging by there. The ski place is not to far from there either and both are to the left of Denver.

Anyone else have some info or suggestions for me?


White widow, Clown, Rock, Lo2 all you Coloradoians don't have any info or want to try go on a ride to some old mining town or something?

Red

 

You should swing through Colorado Springs. There is a ton of beautiful scenery there. You can go up Cheyenne Mountain, up Cheyenne Canyon, across the skyline road, into Manitou and through the Garden of the Gods in one easy day with room for breakfast and dinner and still have a casual day. And, even if its snowing pretty good none of that is likely to be closed.

In the mountains its another story. By December there will be little that you can get to that is truly off road. But you could take Hwy 24 west from Colorado Springs, go to South Park then North to Breckenridge and then back to Denver and you would be on plowed highway while you were surrounded by scenery you will not soon forget.

 

Now thats what I am talking about sounds like a nice run, Garden of the Gods sounds neat!

This looks cool





Thanks for the suggestion, I am trying to find the route on a map.

Red

 

Glad I could help. Looking forward to meeting up with you in St. Louis next month!