Granby / Winterpark, Colorado

[contented]

We are planning a get out of the heat, explore, and wheel a bit trip to the mountains of Colorado from mid July to mid August in the Granby/Frasier/Winterpark area. I know this is resort/ski country and assume the snow is gone by then. There are many eateries along this corridor. Are they open all summer? I’m just looking for insight on what to expect, tips, etc.

Thanks. Contented

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[MileHighCitizen]

Everything is gonna be open. It slows down a bit during summer, but there will still be people doing mountain biking, hiking and wheeling.

Winter Park is pretty close to the Denver metro, so you'll get a lot of the weekend crowd. If you're looking for solitude then you're going to want to go further into the Rockies. National Parks will always be crowded so try the state parks and wilderness areas.

Tread lightly and leave no trace, please.

 

[contented]

Everything is gonna be open. It slows down a bit during summer, but there will still be people doing mountain biking, hiking and wheeling.

Winter Park is pretty close to the Denver metro, so you'll get a lot of the weekend crowd. If you're looking for solitude then you're going to want to go further into the Rockies. National Parks will always be crowded so try the state parks and wilderness areas.

Tread lightly and leave no trace, please.

@MileHighCitizen, thanks for the insight. We have reserved an Airbnb in Granby. We were long time hikers and backpackers on whom age has taken its toll. Just physically can't hike up to the pass in Maroon Bells anymore. Even flatter distance is pretty much out of the question. The Bronco gives a measure of sorts back.

I was shocked at having to make a reservation and the crowds at Arches NP last year. Hadn’t been there in fifteen years or so.

Here here on tread lightly and leave no trace. Thanks again.

 

[contented]

@indio22, it takes the time that comes with age to accumulate the mileage that wears on body parts. We’ve hiked, backpacked and walked nearly 6,000 miles. We’re both in our 70’s. Feet, hips, knees and back are starting to say enough is enough. But we’ve seen many amazing places that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Take care. Contented

 

[BigFootie]

Unfortunately reservations have reared their ugly heads everywhere. A reservation system was implemented during COVID for Rocky Mountain NP. (Even though the odds of getting COVID outdoors was astronomically low.) And then after COVID, the control was kept in place. (In this case the slippery slope was slippery ... it was basically an excuse to implement a control system they had been itching to implement for a while.)

The days of heading to various parks/areas for a hike last minute are over, it's a locked down planned out reservation world now. You'll have to stay on top of that, or find the ways to enter without a reservation (typically early in the morning).

You mentioned age taking a toll. I hear ya. I went from climbing 14k Longs Peak two summers ago, to hardly able to walk after knee surgery from a racing injury. Age/injury bite. Was it just age and wear/tear that got you guys? I thought I was superman having done two full Ironman triathlons and such not that long ago ... until suddenly one day I wasn't.

It's amazing how fast it goes. My Wife and I have hiked many mountains in Summit county. We aren't sure if we can still do a 14'r. Will probably try Torry's and Gray again next year. If not, Quandry is always one of the easier ones south of Breckenridge.

WP was my favorite place to ski back in the day. Same for RMNP. The trip up from Loveland was always enjoyable. Fortuantely for the reservations, just go early. Nothing required and no lines. We were in Moab last summer and hit Arches at 6:30 AM. Got right in and headed straight to the top and then worked our way back out.

 

[KABQ]

I feel you guys with regards to the loss of mobility. I shattered my patella playing hockey a few years ago and it was misdiagnosed at a torn ACL. When I had surgery they weren't prepared to repair my patella, so they just didn't. Six months after my surgery I was told I'd need a knee replacement due to arthritis. I'm 38, but my knee is about 95.

My Bronco is now my way to get into places I would have hiked prior to my injury. I haven't spent time in the Granby area and have no advice to offer, but I hope you have a wonderful trip and manage to get into the wilderness! Colorado is the most beautiful state in the country!

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