Colorado Backroads In Style

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We are revisiting one of our most popular Backroads destinations: Colorado In Style

Colorado is a state of majestic landscapes, startling panoramas, and amazing topographical diversity. A land of uncompromising beauty: dominated by lofty, snowcapped peaks; divided by deep canyons and broad valleys that were formed by cold clear streams and rushing rivers; rimmed by distant horizons, mesas and buttes. Colorado is a land of extreme contrasts – arid deserts, verdant meadows, rural solitude, aspen woodlands, granite cliffs and deep blue lakes. The timeless landscape beyond the highway’s edge is filled with hidden places and undiscovered wonders. All this is connected by quiet, slow paced villages and folks who take the time to savor it.

Day 1 – Home to York, Nebraska

Depart Minnesota for beautiful Colorado! We will travel the highways and bi-ways of Minnesota & Iowa before arriving in York, Nebraska for our first night’s stay at the Hampton Inn.

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 2 – York to Colorado Springs

After breakfast we continue to Colorado, picking up our fly group at the Denver airport before we drive south to Colorado Springs. This stretch of interstate is some of the last freeway you’ll experience for the next week or so. This route itself is stunningly beautiful as we parallel the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Our welcome dinner is served at Mimi’s Cafe, then we’ll check into the Drury Inn, which offers panoramic views of the looming mountains to the west.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Drury Inn

Day 3 – Colorado Springs

After our included breakfast at the hotel, we board the coach for an exciting day in Colorado Springs. A guided tour of the city will include Old Town & historic sites. We will take a drive through the awesome Garden of the Gods with our local, expert step-on guide, learning the history of these magnificent red rocks as we find out how this natural wonder came to be. You will enjoy your included lunch (and some shopping) at the charming Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Early afternoon finds us boarding the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak for an exciting and adventurous trip to the top. The view is absolutely amazing! You wouldn’t even need to leave the comfort of our hotel for dinner as the Drury’s Managers Reception is sufficient for most, or there are restaurant choices near the hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception

Day 4 – Colorado Springs to Gunnison

The early morning journey along the Front Range to Canon City is refreshing. Excitement builds as we board the Royal Gorge Route Railway and enter our Vista Dome car for a spectacular rail journey along the Arkansas River through this wonder of nature. Afterwards we stop at the unique Whitewater Bar & Grill for an included noon lunch. Continuing west, make note of the rafters navigating their way on the whitewaters of the Arkansas River and the Rocky Mountain vistas surrounding us. We’re heading to Salida and an afternoon treat stop before making our way up Monarch Pass, providing us a spectacular view of Monarch Mountain on our right. Then more picture perfect scenery greets us as we descend into the lush, high mountain valley and the ranch country of Gunnison, Colorado. Soon we pull into our home for the night, the Holiday Inn Express. This beautiful hotel on the edge of town offers an unspoiled view of the mountains that surround us. A great western meal awaits at Palisades before we enjoy the crisp evening in the Rocky Mountains.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 5 – Gunnison to Durango

After breakfast at the hotel we head off for a scenic day. What a drive as we travel along the Blue Mesa Reservoir, then head south on Highway 149, designated as the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. We make our way through mountain hamlets such as Lake City, historic Creede, Wagon Wheel Gap, and South Fork. The route traverses a spectacular, off-the-beaten-track part of Colorado, climbing over lofty Spring Creek and Slumgullion Passes. Our drive parallels the Rio Grande River below cliffed palisades thru the heart of the San Juan Mountians, Colorado’s largest mountain range, a tumble of peaks and canyons that cover an area the size of Vermont. Leaving South Fork we climb to famous Wolf Creek Pass and then descend to Durango, traveling Highway 160 through Pagosa Springs, Chimney Rock, and Bayfield. We are guests for the next two nights at The Historic Strater Hotel, build in 1887 as Durango’s premier landmark hotel! Tonight we are treated to dinner and live theatre right here at the Strater Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: The Historic Strater Hotel 

Day 6 – Durango/Silverton

Prepare for adventure today as you enjoy breakfast at The Historic Strater Hotel. We’ll soon be boarding the Durango & Silverton Railroad, whose station is conveniently located a block from our hotel, for a memorable journey. This spectacular train ride runs north 45 miles to Silverton, threading through the Animas River Gorge, taking us back in time to mining’s heyday. The unspoiled scenery that unfolds around us can only be witnessed from this train. Silverton, at an elevation of 9,320 feet, is surrounded by a wall of mountains. It is one of Colorado’s most isolated settlements. If you were going to farm here, you would need to find a crop that sprouts and is ready for harvest quickly. Its growing season is 12 days! Annual snowfall is over 300 inches! Silverton wears its colorful history well. It appears at first glance like a movie set, but in reality most of the town is preserved as a National Historic District, reflecting the mining heyday of more than a century ago. We will have ample time to explore and eat lunch on our own in a true “gold rush” setting. Then midafternoon our own motorcoach comes to return us to Durango for a free evening to relax and enjoy downtown Durango.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 7 – Durango to Palisade

After our delicious warm breakfast in style at our hotel, we depart for another amazing day of Colorado countryside. The journey to Cortez is awesome. After our coffee stop a whole new landscape unfolds. Driving through desolate Disappointment Valley, past abandoned old uranium mines, which ceased operating in 1980, and into the unbelievable red rock canyonlands of the San Miguel & Delores Rivers. Lunch today is catered by wonderful ladies & gentlemen of the Rimrocker Historic Society in their Community Room, which is attached to the Rimrocker Museum. After lunch we’ll have time to explore the museum and visit personally with former Uravan residents. Uravan was a company town established by U.S. Vanadium Corporation in 1936 to extract the rich vanadium ore in the region. Departing, a photo stop at the Hanging Flume, a National Engineering Landmark, will surely fascinate. As we approach the very western edge of Colorado, out of nowhere we come upon the spectacular “Gateway Canyons” – truly an awesome sight to behold. This world class resort is the brainchild of the producer of the Discovery Channel, who not only built it but owns it. You just must see it to believe it! Following this refreshing break, more spectacular scenery unfolds as we traverse through the cliff-lined Unaweep Canyon, a geologic mystery of West Creek, before arriving at our destination, Palisade. Our relaxing and charming home the next two nights is the Wine Country Inn. Dinner is included tonight at a restaurant in Grand Junction.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Wine Country Inn 

Day 8 – Palisade

Breakfast is served at our charming hotel before we depart on our intriguing journey through the vineyards, orchards, and fruit stands of this garden valley. We’ll stop at famous Alida’s Orchard, where we are treated to a guided tour and have the opportunity to buy her delicious Western Colorado products. Did you know that Palisade is the peach and wine capitol of Colorado? Next we make our way to the quaint historic downtown of Grand Junction. Spend time browsing its charming shops and view the nation’s largest sidewalk sculptures. After lunch on our own we have a truly unique Colorado experience: the Colorado National Monument. This 22 mile drive explores the sandstone rims and canyons bordering the Colorado River. Witness soaring cliffs, sharp spires, wildlife, and many photo opportunities from scenic overlooks. This rugged monument relates a spectacular lesson in geology. This evening enjoy a relaxing wine tasting evening and dinner at the Inn, surrounded by the peacefulness of the vineyards of the Palisade Valley.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 – Palisade to Tabernash

We begin another day of Backroads bonanza with breakfast at our hotel. This morning, after a brief stretch of interstate, we travel through many unspoiled miles of Colorado countryside. Going through the White River National Forest we experience rushing rivers cutting through gorgeous canyons, snow covered mountain tops and lush, high mountain meadows. Marvel at the unending beauty unfolding before you as we cross Gore Pass. An endless variety of wild flowers are blooming on the mountain slopes around us. We’ll have photo shoots beside cold, clear waters of mountain lakes. Keep your eyes open as you may see pronghorn sheep in the Kremmling area. It’s hard to describe our next stop of the journey: Devils Thumb Resort Ranch. You will love everything about this remote luxury ranch and the awesome scenes out every window. We enjoy our next two evenings together in true western hospitality. Savor the moment by sitting out on the patio, soaking in the view of the Colorado mountainside and the beautiful horses peacefully grazing in the pasture. Let the cool breeze blow through your hair and breathe in another breath of fresh mountain air. It doesn’t get any better than this! Leave your windows open this evening to take advantage of nature’s own air conditioning!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Devils Thumb Resort Ranch 

Day 10 – Tabernash

Spend the full day, uninterrupted, just relaxing in this mountain paradise! Let your senses soak it all in. Nothing in particular is planned this day. The resort has various activities available if you wish to participate. Breakfast and dinner at the Ranch are included. Lunch is on your own, available at several spots at the resort. Life doesn’t offer this kind of setting or opportunity very often. Enjoy!!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Tabernash to Denver to Brighton, CO

After breakfast beneath the 14,000 foot snow laced peaks of the Rocky Mountains, we’ll pause over our last cup of coffee. Gaze once more at the massive 4 story, 8-sided fireplace and the rugged, but exquisite surrounding of this incredible lodge before we leave the Backroads of Colorado. As we head to Denver, crossing Berthoud Pass, we have one more stunning view of this special place of beauty God has created. Then we head to the Denver airport to drop off our flyaway group. After lunch on our own, the motorcoach group will enjoy an afternoon tour of the beautiful city of Denver with the help of a step-on guide. After the tour, we leave Denver behind as we head East back towards Minnesota. We will have a relaxing overnight in Brighton, CO.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Day 12 – Brighton to Lincoln, NE

Breakfast is served at the hotel before we journey across Nebraska, with coffee breaks and lunch along the way. Our hotel for the night is the Embassy Suites located in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. There will be several restaurants within walking distance to the hotel for your dining pleasure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Embassy Suites

Day 12 – Lincoln to Home

After breakfast at the hotel, we will continue back to Minnesota, recalling grand memories of our Colorado backroads journey!

Included Meals: Breakfast