Glenwood Springs, CO

Tristar

Tristar

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Tristar
So I need some recommendations. I'm planning to take my grandma on a train ride through the mountains to Glenwood springs, Co next month. She's dealing with her 4th and last battle with cancer so this is sort of a bucket list item for her. She can't climb mountains, is afraid of caves, and swimming really isn't an option. It'll probably be a lot of sight seeing but some ideas on adventures wouldn't hurt to consider since we do want to have some fun after all! Since Hanging Lake and the hot springs are the main attractions there, I'm short on ideas. I will have a rental car so we can get out and drive some. We'll be there for about a day and a half. So far I've come up with a cable car ride to the top of the mountain and maybe a drive to Rifle falls. I still need to look at how long of a walk that is. I joked about ziplining. She said, "you first." :p
 
You could drive up the Maroon Bells road since it is after Labor Day. It's $10 but worth it IMHO. Maroon Bells is near Snowmass. Just the drive from Glenwood is scenic.

http://www.aspenchamber.org/what-to-do/trip-highlights/maroon-bells/

Edit: Does she have a handicapped parking placard? I see the road is free in that case. I know you are taking the train but the handicapped placard might help you find good parking when you are in the rental car.
 
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Tristar said:
So I need some recommendations. I'm planning to take my grandma on a train ride through the mountains to Glenwood springs, Co next month. She's dealing with her 4th and last battle with cancer so this is sort of a bucket list item for her. She can't climb mountains, is afraid of caves, and swimming really isn't an option. It'll probably be a lot of sight seeing but some ideas on adventures wouldn't hurt to consider since we do want to have some fun after all! Since Hanging Lake and the hot springs are the main attractions there, I'm short on ideas. I will have a rental car so we can get out and drive some. We'll be there for about a day and a half. So far I've come up with a cable car ride to the top of the mountain and maybe a drive to Rifle falls. I still need to look at how long of a walk that is. I joked about ziplining. She said, "you first." :p
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Last time I was there, it was a fair hike from parking to Hanging Lake. If she can handle the altitude, the cable car is fun. The train ride is definitely fun! Don't rule out the pool unless the temp is the show stopper.

Lunch or dinner at Hotel Colorado is an absolute requirement. This is where Teddy Roosevelt stayed on his hunting trips.

The river is probably too low for rafting.

Altitude is a bit higher than Denver.
 
The Springs, as the name implies is pretty much all about laying in hot mineral baths. There's some other stuff to do around the town, but the main draw is the hot springs. There's some caves that require a bit of hiking, but most of the area is just the sightseeing stuff around the area. If she doesn't like laying in hot water, I'd say spend one day driving around, then move on to somewhere else.
 
See the Glenwood caverns adventure park with a tram to a mountain top restaurant (no hiking necessary) with several attractions. Also, 2 good restaurants right across from the train station, Juicy Lucy's and The Pullman.
 
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Woody Creek tavern for a little local color for lunch. Aspen has a variety of shopping and it is between seasons. If grandma is a fisherfolk the frying pan river is a gold medal stream. There's an alabaster mine west of Carbondale that's sometimes open for tours - there's supposed to be some incredable carvings inside.

I really enjoy just sightseeing in the area. Flying is probably best for viewing all the area has to offer. October is some of the best mountain flying.
 
Everskyward said:
You could drive up the Maroon Bells road since it is after Labor Day. It's $10 but worth it IMHO. Maroon Bells is near Snowmass. Just the drive from Glenwood is scenic.

http://www.aspenchamber.org/what-to-do/trip-highlights/maroon-bells/

Edit: Does she have a handicapped parking placard? I see the road is free in that case. I know you are taking the train but the handicapped placard might help you find good parking when you are in the rental car.
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+1

Maroon Bells is an awesome place to visit.
 
Whatever you do... Have a great time...:)..


Sorry to hear about your grandma..:sad:
 
I've always thought of Glenwood as the closest Walmart to Aspen. The Petri dish pool has never held much interest for our family.
 
Yea she doesn't really want to go swimming and caves and mines are out and we're definitely not climbing. I already saw hanging lake this year anyways so it's ok. She's a little limited but she can still get up and walk around some. I'm sure we'll do some shopping and sight seeing. I thought about the bells too, I'm just debating how much of a pain that would be. They really encourage taking the bus. I also found a neat little dinner/comedy act called the Vaudeville review to do one evening. Might add that to the possibilities.
 
Very sorry for your grandma. I'm short of ideas other than hoping the Aspens are turning and you catch the dates right.

There's a good steak place right down at the river on the South side of the Interstate, but the name escapes me right now. It's a tiny storefront. Good wine too. Not overly fancy.

The rest area in the Glenwood Canyon is actually very nice. Easy walk along the river and a really good view of how they "hung" I-70 through the canyon from below. Good picnic spot. There's better but most require a hike.

Easy side trip over to Grand Mesa from there which is a pretty drive that time of year.
 
wabower said:
I've always thought of Glenwood as the closest Walmart to Aspen. The Petri dish pool has never held much interest for our family.
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This is funny, and true IMO. :D

Sorry to hear about your grandma. My brother and family live in Basalt and used to live in Aspen/Woody Creek area. There is so much beautiful scenery to enjoy, as well as great places to eat and visit in Aspen, Carbondale, etc. I'd aim a little further up the valley than Glenwood, personally. Flying in the area in October is indeed beautiful... my brother got married out there 4 years ago. I flew in and it was spectacular. If she can tolerate a GA flight, the scenery would be worth the effort.
 
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