What to do for 10 days in Region 3??

[wibornz]

My wife, son and I have 10 plus days to spend in your region.  What should we do and see.  I really have 14 days, but four of them will be spent at Ft. Riley KS. visiting my oldest son over the July 4th holiday.  Then off to where ever.  

What should we do in Region 3.  What is a do not miss?  I have never been out there so help me out with some suggestions.  The only thing firm on the plan is Pikes Peak.  Other than that we are open for just about anything.  

[Eric308]

My wife, son and I have 10 plus days to spend in your region.  What should we do and see.  I really have 14 days, but four of them will be spent at Ft. Riley KS. visiting my oldest son over the July 4th holiday.  Then off to where ever.  

What should we do in Region 3.  What is a do not miss?  I have never been out there so help me out with some suggestions.  The only thing firm on the plan is Pikes Peak.  Other than that we are open for just about anything.  

So much to see in Colorado. I really like the southwest portion down in the San Juans. Make your way to Durango and do the Million Dollar Highway (US550) from Durango to Ouray. Stop in Silverton, and Ouray and continue on to Ridgway and cut across CO62 (Dallas Divide) to Telluride. Check out Telluride and take a ride north up through Unaweep Canyon (CO141) to US550 again. Head south to Montrose and pick up US50 east and go through Black Canyon and then through Gunnison.  At Gunnison take CO135 and connecting roads over Cottonwood Pass into Buena Vista and US24. Head north through Leadville and pick up I-70 east for a bit and then take US40 north across Berthoud Pass into Granby. Just out of Granby you can take US34 across Rocky Mountain National Park and end up in Estes Park.
    Many other options, but this little loop will really show you some ultimate sections of Colorado. Have fun.

[ripdaddy]

    From Ft.Riley drop down to Ft. Larned then to Bent's Old Fort.   This will put you in southern Colorado.  There's the Royal Gorge, of course, then the Sand Dunes National Monument.  A great little town called Pagosa Springs then on to Durango and Mesa Verde National Monument.  Up to Moab, Ut perhaps then to Grand Junction and the Rocky Mountain National Monument.  East on I-70 to Glenwood Springs and their hot spring swimming pool on the banks of the Colorado River.  Swing north off of I-70 to Winter Park, Grand Lake and Trail Ridge Road which takes you to Estes Park. From Estes you can head to Loveland or Boulder.  Either one will have you in position to head east and home.   The one thing to be cautious of  this year is the flooding from the excessive snow pack this year (200% of normal this year!).  I-70 through Glenwood Canyon can be susceptible to closure from rock slides so check ahead.  There are always ways around.  Have a great time.

[SalsaShark]

 


Or you could always check out Rocky Mountain National Park & Trail Ridge Road

Winter Park is a pretty fun summer destination

Whiskey drinker? Check out Stranahan's distillery in Denver

If you're up for the haul, head north and go see Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone

It's late, that's all I got.


**Edit**
Just saw this on the news and I'm going to go check it out some time.

http://www.kdvr.com/videobeta/?watchId=ecb9bb7d-64a3-4092-8a6c-9dad7e30a02c

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/atlasmissiles.htm

Just north of Denver, it's the only Atlas missile site open for public tours. Looks pretty cool.

[wibornz]

Did the garden of the gods yesterday and pikes peak and royal gorge today.

[MacGyver]

Try to seek out Mt Evans.  Highest 'paved' road in the US. All previous suggestions are spot on.