Colorful Colorado -

Are you looking for a summer get away? Although fuel prices are high, A day trip can often be cheaper than a full-blown vacation. Providing an incredible opportunity to see some really cool sites and recharge those emotional batteries! Below is an offering of maps, and daytrip ideas to enhance the season.

Day Trips:

The Black Forest
Cuchara Pass
Grand Mesa Trips (2)
Kenosha Pass
Peak to Peak
Rio Blanco
Royal Gorge
Southwest Corner

Please before you go on any road trip into the mountains, always take along an emergency kit:

•  A Blanket, jacket, gloves
•  A First Aid Kit
•  Bottled Fresh Water
•  A Box of Crackers or candy bars
•  Flares, spare belts and hoses and a good spare tire
•  A Flashlight w/ fresh batteries
•  A State map

And always tell someone where you are going and when you are expected back.

The Black Forest -
A trip through the Black Forest between September 12th and October 31st will provide a different view each day. The fiery red outcropping of bushes and golden Aspen and Cottonwood stand out from the almost black Pines that make up the lush Black Forest. 1.5 - 3 hours.
The best time: Late Afternoon
Location: East of I-25 between Denver & Colorado Springs

Cuchara Pass -
Absolutely incredible views. Pack a lunch, this trip is a good 4 - 6 hours driving, but well worth the time spent.
Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon
Location: West of I-25 between Walsenburg & Trinidad

Grand Mesa Trips (2)
There are two options for this incredible ride through the Rockies.
Option 1: The Short Trip - Wind your way through Grand Mesa National Forest across Skyway and back to Grand Junction. 2 - 3 hours
Best Time: Daytime
Location: East of Grand Junction on Hwy. 65.
Option 2: The Long Way Home - From Glenwood Springs, this long and sometimes winding journey carves it's way through canyonlands, pastures and scenic mountain and ski areas. 4 - 6 hours.
Best Time: Early morning is filled with shadows and color.

Kenosha Pass -
This drive is filled with many wonderful surprises. Possibly the most breathtaking of all is the summit of Kenosha Pass where you come out of the rugged mountains to view the vast valley below. To see this you need to start your journey across the pass from the East headed West. Of course you can park at one of the turnouts atop the summit, but it is not the same.
Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon
Location: West of Baily for the summit.

Peak to Peak -
A Front Range favorite. No matter how you get to this stretch of road you will enjoy a combination of exhilarating curves through steep and gorgeous canyon walls as well as some valley driving where viewing the Aspens can be seen from a far or up-close. A working radio is excellent on this trip because you can pick up Denver stations for most of the trip. 2 - 3 hours.
Best Time: Late Afternoon before Dusk
Location: Between Estes Park and Morrison Through Blackhawk. Enjoy this 30 second drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rio Blanco -
From the headwaters of the White River and through White River, Routt and Arapaho National Forest you will see some of the biggest Aspen trees in the state! There is a stretch between Meeker and Craig that holds unbelievably beautiful scenery. Take a little extra time to walk among the turning aspens between Craig and Steamboat. Take a picnic. 3 - 6 hours.
Best Time: Early morning for the start. Or time your start to arrive in Steamboat Spring at Dusk and spend the night. You deserve it!

Royal Gorge -
Through Manitou Springs and over Wilkerson Pass, there should be enough fall colors to fill a dozen rolls of film. Some of this area is heavily wooded and can be enjoyed at dusk, unfortunately, this is in the middle of the trip, therefore the rest of the ride would be in the dark - and that would be a waste! 2 - 4 hours.
Best Time: Any Daylight hours.
Location: West of I-25 between Colorado Springs & Pueblo

Southwest Corner -
Last but certainly not least! This is possibly the most beautiful part of Colorado of them all. The red soil, the deep forested mountain side, the ride through the four corners region is incredible. If you have a little extra time ( like a few days) take the Devil's Highway (Hwy. 666) into Utah. That is an excellent appetizer to the Grand Canyon on another trip.
Best Time: Early morning - definitely! All day time is good.
Location: West Durango to Cortez. Telluride is a good place to stop for lunch. :-)