08/11/2024 - 08/19/2024: Hanging Lake, Aspen, Maroon Bells, Manitou Springs, Denver, and Red Rocks
Table of Contents
I was in Colorado from Sunday, 08/11/2024 to Monday, 08/19/2024. During my visit, I hiked Hanging Lake, walked around Aspen for a day, saw the sunrise at Maroon Bells and hiked the Maroon Lake and Crater Lake trails, went to Iron Mountain Hot Springs, hiked Mount Elbert (my first 14er!!!), visited Broadmoor Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods, walked around Denver, and saw O.A.R. at Red Rocks.
On Sunday, 08/11/2024, I took a morning flight from Chicago O’Hare to Denver, picked up a mid-size SUV from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the airport, and drove directly to the Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale. After checking in and changing into hiking clothes, I headed straight out to hike Hanging Lake.
I chose to stay at Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale because it was only a 30 minute drive south of Hanging Lake and about an hour drive north of Aspen and Maroon Bells, and cost $886.29 for 4 nights in 2024. With it being in between Hanging Lake and Aspen and Maroon Bells, Carbondale felt like the perfect location of a city to stay in.
Hanging Lake is currently undergoing a reconstruction project after it was damaged in the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire. Crews are working to repair and upgrade the trail. Due to that fact, the trail is only available to hikers Friday through Sunday. Reservations are available weekly, with hiking dates and times released every Thursday at 9am MDT. I was able to snag a 5pm reservation and arrived at Hanging Lake just in time. When I arrived, I was told there was a flash flood warning, and everyone had to leave the boardwalk surrounding Hanging Lake by 6:30pm.
I tend to be a bit slower of a hiker, as I like to take a lot of photos and just overall like to take my time and enjoy the scenery. But, since I had a time limit, I made sure to limit the number of photos I took on the way up so that I could have plenty of time available to get all the photos I wanted at Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock, a beautiful waterfall that spouts from a rock face and sits only 200 yards above Hanging Lake.
According to the website, the trail is 1.2 miles one way (2.4 miles out-and-back) with an elevation gain of 1,269 feet, making it to be a fairly steep hike. Yet, my Garmin watch and Google Fit app clocked the out-and-back hike at 4.4 miles. I did start tracking from the restroom, so I may have added some extra distance unintentionally.
I reached the boardwalk around 6:20pm, giving me enough time to walk on the boardwalk surrounding a portion of the lake to get some photos before heading up to Sprouting Rock for a few more. The boardwalk doesn’t yet wrap around the entire lake, but according to a worker at Hanging Lake, that’s part of the reconstruction project. Promptly at 6:30pm, I hiked back down to my car. The entire hike took me 2.5 hours to complete.
After leaving Hanging Lake at 7:45pm, I drove to the City Market in Carbondale for groceries, then returned to the hotel to settle in for the night.
On Monday, 08/12/2024, I drove into Aspen for a leisurely walk around the city. I parked at the Rio Grande Parking Lot, conveniently located one block off Main Street at 425 Rio Grande Place. Finding it was a breeze, thanks to blue signs pointing the way. This covered parking garage offers 24/7 access, and with a daily max of just $12, it’s a great deal for visitors planning to explore Aspen all day.
Prior to arriving in Aspen, I created my own walking tour, which started at the iconic Hotel Jerome. This beautiful historic hotel, often called one of Aspen’s crown jewels, was just a quick four-minute walk from the garage. With its timeless charm and rich history, it made for a perfect first stop.
Next, I headed to the Wheeler Opera House, to get some photos of it from the outside. Unfortunately, it’s closed on Mondays, so I wasn’t able to explore inside the landmark. Even without a tour, it’s still an impressive sight!
Mill Street Fountain, a dancing fountain on Mill Street with the mountains serving as a beautiful backdrop was next, followed by Wagner Park, a multi-use, vast, open field with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Both the fountain and the park are nestled in the heart of Aspen, and were wonderful spots to enjoy for a bit.
Next on my list was the Silver Queen Gondola, a 2.5-mile ride to the 11,200-foot summit of Aspen Mountain, renowned as the longest single-stage gondola in the world. However, it didn’t open until 10am, and it was only 9:30am by the time I was done at Mill Street Fountain. So with 30 minutes to spare, I wandered down Galena Street, known for its luxury shopping and fine dining, toward Galena Plaza, a charming park perched above the Rio Grande Parking Garage. In hindsight, this would have been an ideal starting point for my walking tour, but fortunately, I didn’t need to backtrack too much. From there, I continued along Hyman Avenue, a pedestrian-friendly street lined with upscale boutiques, art galleries, and cafés, and then on Cooper Street, home to various restaurants and shops, until it was time to head to the Gondola.
A single-ride ticket in August 2024 was $37, which included one round trip. Tickets can be booked online, by phone, or in person. I opted for an in-person purchase and had no issues.
It took about 15 minutes to reach the summit and offered breathtaking views of the Elk Mountain Range, including the iconic Maroon Bells. At the top are hiking and biking trails, lawn games like giant chess and bags (cornhole for non-Midwestern folks), and the Sundeck Restaurant for dining with a view.
I spent about 30 minutes at the summit, soaking it all in, though you could easily spend hours there if you’d like. I knew I had more places to explore in Aspen, and I was getting hungry. I had my sights set on White House Tavern—a cozy, upscale restaurant housed in a charming historic white cottage, known for its relaxed atmosphere and standout American comfort food. So, I took the gondola back down and walked over for lunch, arriving at 11:45am. I’d hoped for a spot on the patio, but, as I should have expected, it was busy with a long wait. Instead, I took a seat at the bar, which was just as enjoyable, and enjoyed a crispy chicken sandwich with an Aspen Brewing Co. blonde ale.
Once I was satiated, I headed to the W Aspen to check out their rooftop. It offers panoramic views of the Aspen Mountain slopes and surrounding peaks, along with a pool, hot tubs, cozy fire pits, stylish lounge seating, and a bar serving creative cocktails and small bites. I can imagine it’s the perfect spot in the evenings to enjoy the scenery, socialize, and unwind in style. Since it was only 1pm when I was there, the vibe was definitely more subdued. I just walked around, snapped some pictures, and then headed back out to walk to the Herron Park and John Denver Sanctuary.
Herron Park, located along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, is a popular and picturesque riverside park with a grassy lawn, picnic tables, and a small playground. One of its highlights is the shallow wading area along the river, where people can splash around, especially on warm days. After spending a bit of time at the park, I continued to the John Denver Sanctuary.
The John Denver Sanctuary is a serene and beautifully landscaped park built in memory of the great singer John Denver, who had a deep connection to Colorado. Nestled along the Roaring Fork River, the sanctuary features tranquil paths that wind through wildflower gardens, lush greenery, and large boulders engraved with Denver's song lyrics and quotes about nature and peace. Stone benches and shaded spots make it a peaceful place to reflect or enjoy a quiet walk. With its gentle streams, ponds, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the sanctuary feels like a natural escape in the heart of Aspen—a fitting tribute to Denver’s love for the natural world.
I left Aspen around 2pm to drive back to the Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale to settle in, read, and relax for the rest of the day. Maroon Bells was on the schedule for the following day, and I wanted to get there early to see the sunrise and hike Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail and Crater Lake Trail.
On Tuesday, 08/13/2024, I went to Maroon Bells to witness the iconic sunrise. From the middle of May through October 31st, reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, but starting November 1st, trailhead parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. I secured a midnight-to-midnight parking reservation on April 2nd. While it might not be necessary to book that far in advance, reservations do tend to sell out, so I wanted to be safe.
Sunrise was at 6:22am that morning. I knew photographing Maroon Bells at sunrise was a popular activity and wasn’t sure how crowded it would get, so I erred on the side of caution and arrived at 5:30am. I was the second car there.
No hiking is necessary to take in the stunning view of the Maroon Bells. The peaks, composed primarily of mudstone, have a striking maroon hue that becomes vibrant as the sun rises. Capturing that moment was simply breathtaking. Shortly after sunrise, a brief rain shower passed through, producing a beautiful rainbow!
Around 6:45am, I started hiking the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail and Crater Lake Trail. The Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail is an easy 1.9-mile hike around Maroon Lake, offering stunning views of the iconic Maroon Bells peaks reflected in the water. Surrounded by aspen groves and alpine meadows, it's a family-friendly trail with vibrant fall colors and serene mountain scenery. It took me a little over an hour to hike Maroon Scenic Loop Trail.
After completing the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail, I continued onto the Crater Lake Trail. The Crater Lake Trail is a moderately challenging 3.5-mile round-trip hike that starts at Maroon Lake and leads to Crater Lake, offering stunning views of the Maroon Bells and rugged alpine terrain. The rocky trail has an elevation gain of 689 feet and winds through aspen groves, with rewarding views of Crater Lake surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks at the end.
I’ve become accustomed to hiking with at least one hiking pole, but I opted to not use them for either hike. With the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail being quite flat, I managed just fine without them. I should have used them for the Crater Lake Trail, though. Not only was there elevation gain on that hike, it also just became more crowded as the day went on, and started to rain, causing the trail to become a little muddy. When I arrived at the lake, the rain paused long enough for me to snap a few good photos before it returned, creating some wonderfully moody shots.
As I was descending from Crater Lake, I stepped down wrong at some point and developed “hiker’s knee,” a pain in the front of the knee or behind the kneecap, and started limping a bit. Fortunately, I had seen everything I wanted to that day and was ready to head back to the hotel.
I left Maroon Bells at 1:30pm and drove the hour back to the Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale, stopping at Ace Hardware to pick up a Copper Fit Freedom Black Compression Knee Sleeve to ease the pain. After a nap, I headed to The Goat Kitchen & Bar, a casual spot offering Greek/Mediterranean-infused dishes, beer, and cocktails. Luckily, it was just a 2-minute walk from the hotel! I had originally planned to explore downtown Carbondale and check out Sopris Park, but with the knee pain, I decided it was better to stay close and relax - especially since I planned to hike Mount Elbert in two days!
On Wednesday, 08/14/2024, I went to Iron Mountain Hot Springs, located along the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It features 16 mineral-rich soaking pools filled with warm water sourced from the nearby mountain. Each pool offers a different temperature, allowing you to relax and unwind while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lush landscape.
Reservations are required, and it’s recommended to purchase them early. However, I bought a 3-hour General Access pass from 9am to 12pm, which included access to the pools, two free towel rentals, and RFID locker wristbands, the day before. I may have gotten lucky, though!
It was a simply beautiful day and was the perfect way to spend the morning.
Just after 12pm, I headed back to the hotel to pack up and relax and head to bed super early before conquering Mount Elbert the next day.
On Thursday, 08/15/2024, I hiked Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, via the Northeast Ridge route. It was my first 14er! In hindsight, I probably should have chosen a shorter 14er for my first one, as the trail is 9.75 miles, making it one of the longer ones. But as a Class One hike with a well-defined and well-marked trail, according to 14ers.com, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to summit the highest peak in Colorado!
Mount Elbert is a popular 14er (all the Class Ones tend to be), so the parking lot fills up quickly. I arrived at the Halfmoon Creek trailhead around 3am and was the second to arrive. I started hiking around 3:30am.
I completed the Sky Pond hike at Rocky Mountain within 8 hours, Old Rag at Shenandoah within 7 hours, hiked Wheeler Peak, a 13er, within 6.5 hours, recently hiked the Lares Trek in Peru, so I figured this hike would take me 8, maybe 10 hours. Instead, it took me 8 hours up and 7 hours down. I got back to my car at 7pm. It was slow going up, since my knee was still hurting from hiking down from Crater Lake in Maroon Bells two days earlier. The final stretch from 13,500 to 14,440 feet also felt a lot tougher than I expected.
But, I did it! I summited my first 14er!!! As I write this, my knee is now fully healed, and I regret nothing. I’m grateful I was able to summit. And, I met so many amazing people along the way. As I would hike up, I’d hear people behind me, so I’d pull off to the side to let people pass. Sometimes, I’d mention that I hurt my knee, which is why I was hiking slowly. Everyone was so kind, asking if I was ok or if I needed anything. Luckily, I was fully prepared, with plenty of food and water and snacks and layers and Advil. I just wasn’t prepared for a bum knee. Oh well. I'll be back in Colorado to hike another 14er at some point! I'm thinking Mount Sherman might be a good second 14er :)
When I reached the car, I drove 3 hours to check into The Cliff House at Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs to move onto the next part of my trip. I arrived around 10pm and headed straight to bed.
I chose to stay at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak because it is located in the heart of Manitou Springs and is a short drive away from Broadmoor Seven Falls, Garden of the Gods, and The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the activities I had planned for the next leg of my trip. I had also planned on hiking the Manitou Incline, but had to remove that from my list of activities, due to the knee pain. I’ll be back at some point to conquer the incline!
It was a little expensive, at $640.22 for 2 nights in August 2024. But, it’s such a beautiful hotel and so conveniently located, I couldn’t not treat myself. The staff was amazing and the food was delightful. I definitely plan to stay there the next time I go to Manitou Springs.
On Friday, 08/16/2024, I visited Broadmoor Seven Falls, Garden of the Gods, and had dinner at Cliff House on Pikes Peak.
Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls set in a box canyon near Colorado Springs. The combined height of the falls is 181 feet, and it’s the only waterfall in Colorado featured on National Geographic’s list of International Waterfalls. Visitors can climb a staircase with 224 steps from the base to the top of the falls, where two hiking trails await: one to Inspiration Point and the other to Midnight Falls. Inspiration Point is the more popular trail, offering a one-mile hike that rewards hikers with spectacular views of the Great Plains and Colorado Springs. The shorter trail to Midnight Falls is an easy, scenic walk with gentle elevation, leading to the peaceful, picturesque falls.
I had hoped to hike both trails, but due to knee pain from hiking Mount Elbert—after injuring it during my Maroon Bells hike—I wasn’t able to. Thankfully, Broadmoor Seven Falls offers a golf cart service for guests with mobility issues, which takes you to the end of the canyon and Restaurant 1858. I was so grateful for that! There is also an elevator for guests who are not able to take the stairs up to the Eagle’s Nest observation platform for an amazing view of the falls.
There is no on-site parking, so all visitors must park off-site at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd (The Norris Penrose Event Center). From there, complimentary shuttle service transports all visitors to the Park entrance. Although advanced ticket purchase is recommended, I opted to buy mine upon arrival. I reached the Norris Penrose Event Center around 12:45pm, putting me at the park entrance by 1pm. Luckily, I had cash on hand, as the payment system went down shortly after I arrived, leaving some people unable to buy tickets with a credit card. So if you’re planning to buy tickets at the entrance, I’d recommend bringing cash, just in case. Or, just buy tickets in advance and save yourself the hassle.
After a little over 2.5 hours hobbling around and taking photos, I left and drove to Garden of the Gods.
I arrived at Garden of the Gods around 4pm, starting with a visit to the Visitor Center. I had read it was possible to explore the park by driving through and stopping at various parking areas, but I wanted to confirm the best route with someone at the Center. A helpful staff member recommended downloading the TravelStorys app, which offers a GPS-based, self-guided audio tour. I downloaded the Garden of the Gods tour while still in the Visitor Center, in case reception was spotty elsewhere in the park. It was also the perfect spot to refill my water bottle, use the restroom, and take a few photos from the observation deck!
I began my driving tour at Mesa Overlook, where I got an unobstructed view of the rock formations and surrounding landscape. Next, I stopped by the Tower of Babel, a massive rock formation rising above the North Gateway Rock. From there, I drove to the main North parking lot to see the iconic Kissing Camels formation and the Central Garden trail. Although I didn’t walk the trail, I stopped at the observation area to capture some photos before moving on. My next stop was Balanced Rock, another iconic formation featuring a massive sandstone boulder perched on a narrow base. Towering around 35 feet, this unique formation was shaped over millions of years by erosion, making it a favorite photo spot. I ended my tour at High Point Overlook, a serene spot on a small hill with sweeping views of the park’s red rock formations, set against the majestic backdrop of Pikes Peak and the Front Range.
I left Garden of the Gods around 6:30 pm and headed back to The Cliff House at Pikes Peak for dinner. This historic hotel is home to both the Red Mountain Bar and Grill and the award-winning Dining Room, which has earned honors like the DiRoNA Award, AAA Four Diamonds, and Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence”. The Dining Room offers seating both inside and outside on the veranda; I chose the veranda for my meal.
It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Manitou Springs.
On Saturday, 08/17/2024, I checked out of The Cliff House at Pikes Peak and took The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. Since I was going to leave Manitou Springs immediately after the train to head to Denver, I parked in the parking lot across the street from the Cog Railway Depot. Parking is $20 and is only available 30 minutes before your departure. If the plan is to spend time in Manitou Springs before or after the train, parking in the city would be more ideal.
I had a reservation for the first train, which departed at 8:40am. I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as they sold out on the day I went. I bought mine on August 5th. There are three ticket options: Reserved Admission, Standard Admission, and the Engineer's View Uphill. I opted for the Reserved Admission Ticket, which allowed me to choose my seat. I had read that the left side had a better view, so I chose a window seat on that side. It takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach the summit, with 40 minutes on top and then 1 hour and 10 minutes back to the Depot. The round trip is approximately 3 hours.
It was such a perfect way to get up to the top of Pikes Peak!
After taking The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, I left Manitou Springs to drive back to Denver. I stopped along the way at FedEx to return my hiking poles to LowerGear Outdoors, then drove straight to Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the airport. From there, I took the shuttle to the airport and hopped on the A train into the city to Union Station. Once there, I took the 0 bus to the 11th Avenue Hostel, where I was staying in Denver.
I chose to stay at the 11th Avenue Hostel for its affordability—just $307 for two nights—and its convenient location, just a 40-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride from Union Station. The hostel offers a range of room options, including shared dormitories, private rooms with shared bathrooms, and fully private rooms with a full bed, private bathroom, TV, desk, and chair. It felt like staying in a hotel but for hostel prices! The space was also clean and well-maintained.
I arrived at the hostel around 4:30pm, checked in, and took a quick nap since I was exhausted from everything I’d done so far on the trip! By 6pm, I was ready to explore again, so I grabbed an Uber and headed to Denver's River North Art District, which I’d heard was a fun neighborhood to check out. I started at Improper City, a spacious taproom with a massive outdoor area and food trucks, perfect for dinner. Afterward, I strolled along Blake Street toward The Ramble Hotel to check out Death & Co. Along the way, I stumbled upon 14er Brewing & Beer Garden. Having just completed my first 14er two days before, I couldn’t resist stopping in! With a great outdoor space and a relaxed vibe on a nice night, it was the perfect spot to enjoy a local hazy IPA, one of my favorite styles.
Finally, I made it to Death & Co at The Ramble Hotel, the Colorado outpost of the renowned New York cocktail bar. I was lucky to find a seat at the bar right away, where I chatted with a couple of other patrons. It was a wonderful way to spend the evening.
Around 9:30pm, I caught an Uber back to the hostel to get some rest before the long day ahead.
On Sunday, 08/18/2024, I spent the day exploring Denver’s Union Station neighborhood and capped it off with a concert at Red Rocks!
I started my own walking tour with a visit to the Colorado State Capitol. Although I didn’t go inside, I snapped a photo of the beautiful exterior. I had wanted to climb up to the 15th step, where “One Mile Above Sea Level” is engraved, but with my knee still sore from hiking to Crater Lake in Maroon Bells and summiting Mount Elbert, I decided to skip any extra steps. I was grateful just to be out walking!
Next, I headed to Commons Park, an urban oasis at the edge of Lower Downtown, strolling along the 16th Street Mall on my way. I was surprised to see that a portion of the mall, from Cleveland Place to Curtis Street, was under construction as part of the 16th Street Mall Project, an effort to revitalize the mall from Market Street to Broadway. Construction started in spring 2022 and is scheduled to finish in 2025. Luckily, since it was Sunday, there was no active construction, and I was able to enjoy the walk without any extra noise.
After walking around Commons Park, I stopped at Blue Agave, a Contemporary Southwestern spot, for their house salad and a margarita. When I was ready to start walking again, I made my way to Union Station for a closer look, as I hadn’t had a chance to explore it earlier. Union Station serves as Denver’s main transit hub but is also home to several restaurants, boutiques, and the Crawford Hotel.
Finally, I headed to Thirsty Lion Gastropub for an early dinner before catching the RRX Shuttle to Red Rocks to see O.A.R. live!
I’ve always wanted to see a concert at Red Rocks, and 2024 felt like the perfect year to make it happen. I knew I wanted to end my Colorado trip with a concert at Red Rocks. O.A.R. fit perfectly into my schedule, and while I’d never seen them live before, I knew I liked their music. So I thought, why not make them my first Red Rocks experience?
It was incredible! If you’re staying in Denver, I highly, highly recommend taking a shuttle from Denver to Red Rocks. It made the everything so convenient. Check-in began at 3:30pm at Thirsty Lion Gastropub with the busses starting to depart at 5pm. I had a 3:45pm reservation at the restaurant, so after checking in, I enjoyed a slider and a beer on the patio. I settled my check just before 5pm, then hopped onto one of four shuttles lined up for Red Rocks. If you weren’t ready to leave exactly at 5pm, there was a bit of leeway with the additional buses.
I arrived at Red Rocks around 5:45pm, in awe of the beautiful amphitheater. I had a general admission ticket, which gives fans access to a group of specific rows, which was rows 60 and beyond for O.A.R. When we arrived at the parking lot, it started to rain a bit. Luckily, I had the foresight to stop and buy a poncho at the Target on 16th Street Mall earlier in the day, so I was prepared! After going through security, I made my way up to a spot in the GA section to await DJ Logic, the first opener. Luckily, the rain didn’t stick around for long, and, we were greeted to a beautiful rainbow just before DJ Logic went on stage!
Amazingly, I had two sets of friends also attending the concert! I met up with one group for DJ Logic, stayed with them through Fitz and the Tantrums, and into a portion of O.A.R.’s set. About halfway through, I headed up to the restroom near the top of the amphitheater and then went in search of my other friends, who were closer to row 40 on the left side of the stage. The shuttle was scheduled to leave no later than 30 minutes after the show, so as it got closer to the end, I started feeling anxious about making it back in time. Watching the second half of O.A.R.’s set in row 40 with friends, versus row 65, was a fantastic way to wrap up the night!
Watching three incredible acts at an iconic amphitheater under a full moon, with a rainbow gracing us earlier in the evening, was the perfect ending to an unforgettable Colorado trip.
On Monday, 08/19/2024, I walked from the 11th Avenue Hostel to Union Station and took the A train to Denver Airport. I arrived around 12:30pm, much earlier than necessary since I have Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck, and my flight wasn’t until 3:22pm. But I prefer arriving early rather than cutting it close. With plenty of time to spare, I treated myself to lunch at New Belgium Brewing, where I enjoyed a burger and a beer—a perfect way to cap off my second trip to Colorado. I’m already sketching out plans for my next visit, where I’ll hike my second 14er and tackle the Manitou Incline!
Sunday, 08/11/2024: Flew into Denver, picked up rental car, checked into the hotel, hiked Hanging Lake
Flew into Denver
8:45am flight from Chicago to arrive in Denver at 10:30am
Picked up the rental car around 11:30am
Checked into Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale
Arrived at 3:30pm
Changed into hiking clothes and headed back out to hike Hanging Lake
Left the hotel at 4:30pm
Hiked Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock
Arrived just after 5pm
Reached the top at 6:30pm
Left at 8pm
Got supplies for the week
Monday, 08/12/2024: Spent the day in Aspen
Hotel Jerome
Wheeler Opera House
Mill Street Fountain
Wagner Park
Walked on Hyman, Cooper, Galena Plaza, Galena
Silver Queen Gondola
Lunch at White House Tavern
Crispy chicken sandwich
Aspen Brewing Co blonde ale
W Aspen to check out the rooftop
Herron Park
Walked on the Rio Grande Trail to the John Denver Sanctuary
Tuesday, 08/13/2024: Hiked Maroon Bells
Arrived at Maroon Bells for sunrise
Hiked Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail
Hiked Crater Lake Trail
Wednesday, 08/14/2024: Iron Mountain Springs
Spent the morning Iron Mountain Springs
Thursday, 08/15/2024: Drove from the hotel to Mount Elbert, hiked Mount Elbert, drove to Manitou Springs to check into hotel
Checked out of Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale
Drove to Mount Elbert trailhead
Left the hotel by 12am. Arrived at the trailhead on Halfmoon Creek Road around 3am
Hiked Mount Elbert
Hiked the Mount Elbert Northeast Ridge Trail from 3:30am - 7pm
Drove from Mount Elbert to The Cliff House at Pikes Peak
Friday, 08/16/2024: Broadmoor Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods
Visited Broadmoor Seven Falls from 1-3:30pm
Visited Garden of the Gods from 4-6:30pm
Dinner at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak
Saturday, 08/17/2024: The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway up to Pikes Peak and Denver
Checked out of The Cliff House at Pikes Peak
8:40am reservation on the The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway up to Pikes Peak
Drove from the parking lot for the Cog Railway to Denver Airport to drop off the rental car
Took public transit to 11th Avenue Hostel
Dropped off bags and relaxed for a minute
Headed back out to River North Art District neighborhood, stopping at the following places:
Improper City
14er Brewing
The Ramble for Death & Co
Took an Uber back to the hotel
Sunday, 08/18/2024: Denver and Red Rocks
Walked around Union Station neighborhood, stopping at the following places:
The Capitol
Walked on 16th Street Mall
Confluence Park
Blue Agave
Union Station
Thirsty Lion Union Gastropub
Took the RRX Shuttle from Thirsty Lion Gastropub to Red Rocks
Check in for the shuttle at 3:30pm
Shuttle left at 5pm
O.A.R. at Red Rocks
Doors were at 5:30pm
Show was supposed to start 6:30pm, but started a bit later, due to rain
Shuttle back to Denver
Shuttle departed from Red Rocks 30 minutes after the show wrapped up
Monday, 08/19/2024: Flew back to Chicago
Checked out of 11th Avenue Hostel
Public transit to the airport
Flew home
3:22pm flight from Denver to arrive in Chicago at 6:55pm
