The year-round guide to 20 of the best Vail Valley hikes and snowshoe routes * Trails for all ability levels, each offering something special for the visitor or local alike * Detailed directions and full-color maps to help you find your way * A guidebook that easily fits in your pack or back pocket The Vail Valley is the home of great downhill skiing, but it has also become a year-round playground for trail running, golf, cycling, tennis, fly fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing. As part of the Colorado Mountain Club's best-selling Pack Guide series, The Best Vail Valley Hikes and Snowshoe Routes explores the more popular and some of the lesser known hiking and snowshoe routes in the valley. Most trailheads are within an hour's drive of the Vail Valley and its namesake ski area. From the mysteriously enchanting Gore Range to the evocative Holy Cross Ridge, and beyond, these hikes represent the best of what the Vail Valley can offer the hiker and snowshoer.
The San Luis Valley is a study in contrasts, evident in the 7,000-foot elevation gain from the low-lying valley floor to 14,345-foot Blanca Peak. The Great Sand Dunes are reminiscent of the Sahara Desert. Fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, the spire-like Crestone Needle and its neighbor Crestone Peak, pride of the Sangre de Cristo ("Blood of Christ") Range, are the natural landmarks for the valley's eastern boundary. At the northern end of the area are the Valley View Hot Springs which harness some of the steaming water that pours from the ground. In Crested Butte, trails set out into the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness from the vicinity of Gothic and Schofield Pass. Short day hikes into the alpine meadows are one option. Or, those seeking a longer experience can hike the 13 miles over spectacular East Maroon Pass on into Aspen. The state that brings you Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek and Telluride is renowned for its skiing and snowboarding. Justly so. Colorado has a greater number of ski resorts and areas than almost any other US state or Canadian province. In all, you can ski at two dozen places that vary in size from giants like the Aspen complex to rustic alpine Loveland Basin. Non-skiers find activities at the Colorado resorts as well. Experts have counted some 200 species of wildlife in the Rocky Mountain National Park. More than 400 miles of trails, many of them gentle, others challenging, provide hikes to beautiful alpine mountain lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks. No visitor to this part of Colorado should miss Rocky Mountain National Park. Its 300,000 acres are filled by stunning mountain views and, thanks to the Park Service, remain largely in their natural state. Some 300 well-marked trails, many passing through meadows filled with wildflowers, attract numerous hikers to the park. Hiking in the Park, you are almost certain to be rewarded with stunning vistas, some of Colorado's most spectacular scenery, and rare encounters with nature, such as a bugling elk. Nearby is Steamboat Springs. Summers here guarantee you an adrenaline rush. Breaking in wild horses, barrel racing on horseback, galloping through forest clearings are all exciting. Climbers have attacked the rock faces of Rabbit Ears Pass. And, of course, you can reach the Mount Werner summits in style by gondola and then test your leg muscles against the long downhill walks or ski runs through knee-high meadows or on logging roads. Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, the year-round resort of Vail are all covered here. And then there is Aspen. As a ski complex, Aspen is unsurpassed. Its four lift-serviced areas - Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk Mountain, The Snowmass, Aspen Highlands - encompass 160 miles of ski trails reachable by dozens of lifts that can hoist 25,000 skiers an hour. Where to stay, where to eat, how to get around, what to do - we cover it all in detail. Plus color photos throughout.
Explore 40 of the best hikes within an hour's drive of Breckenridge and Vail. Hike through colorful wildflower meadows, past historical relics of the mining era, and up to alpine tundra with fantastic views of the rugged Gore Range; one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado. Whether you're in the mood for an easy nature walk, a day-long hike, or an overnighter, this guide offers plenty of choices. Each hike features full-color photos; a brief route description; thorough directions to the trailhead (GPS coordinates included); a detailed, full-color trail map; and at-a-glance information on distance and difficulty level, hiking time, canine compatibility, and fees and permits. Inside you'll also find a Trail Finder that categorizes each hikes (e.g., for attractions such as best hikes for lakes, best hikes for views, and best hikes for history buffs); Green Tips; and information about local lore, points of interest, and the area's array of wildlife.
Your All-in-One Guide to Colorado’s Best Outings! If you’ve ever asked, “What should we do today?” then you’ve never seen Colorado Day Trips by Theme. This comprehensive guide to the Centennial State is jam-packed with more than 170 of Colorado’s top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that catch your interest. Destinations in the book are organized by themes, such as Annual Festivals, Craft Beer & Distillery, Outdoor Adventures, and Ski Towns, so you can decide what to do and then figure out where to do it. Useful for singles, couples, and families—visitors and residents alike—this guide by Aimee Heckel encompasses a wide range of interests. Discover the state’s unique attractions—hot springs, mountain peaks, museums, national parks, and more. The book’s handy size makes it perfect for bringing along on your road trips. Plus, with tips for other things to do in the area, you’re sure to maximize the fun on every outing. With Colorado Day Trips by Theme at your fingertips, you’ll always have something to do!
Revised and updated, this guide leads readers to 50 of the best snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails in Colorado--from Rocky Mountain National Park to Telluride.
Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a two-color interior design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions, and other valuable features. Original.
Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a two-color interior design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions, and other valuable features. Original.
Relax, relieve, restore—a beginner's path to healing with restorative yoga Recovering from an injury, an illness, or just interested in a natural way to relax? Restorative yoga focuses on simple poses in supported positions, encouraging deep relaxation so your mind can enter a peaceful, meditative state. Dive in with an introduction to the spiritual origins and rejuvenating benefits of restorative yoga. Find the right position to reduce lower back pain, relieve stress, breathe easier, improve your energy, and even prepare your body for childbirth—all with illustrated instructions to get you into and out of each pose safely and comfortably. Restorative Yoga for Beginners includes: Take it easy—Make restorative yoga a lasting practice with simple suggestions on what to wear and what props you'll need. Strike a pose—Ease into 36 essential restorative yoga poses, including labels with the therapeutic benefits of each—and extend your practice for deeper healing with 20 sequences. Breath of fresh air—Refresh your vital energy (prana) with breathing exercises and meditations designed to improve your digestion, heart rate, and more. Restorative Yoga for Beginners offers the guidance to begin your yoga practice and bring harmony to your quality of life—one gentle stretch at a time.
