Rocky Mountain Wild: Passes, Ghost Towns and Hotel Springs

Arrival in Denver, individual transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight in Denver.

Your guide will welcome you at the hotel. We explore this vibrant, gold rush city at the foot of the Rockies. Denver was founded 1858 on the banks of the Platte River. Since the legalisation of cannabis in 2014 the city has been transformed into a modern, vibrant city, attracting the world’s young people. There is much to see as we explore the city on foot. The Lower Downtown area has preserved many of its historic buildings, huge warehouses, and the iconic Union Train
Station. After touring the city we pick up our vehicles. Overnight in Denver.

Our adventure begins early. After loading our gear we head into the Rockies on Route 285, soon reaching the living ghost town of Como, which served as the railroad depot for the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroads until 1938. A few people still live here at 3000m and volunteers have lovingly restored the remarkable roundhouse and train depot that once serviced and repaired trains. We explore the town and historic structures before heading over our first mountain pass:
Boreas Pass at 3499m. On top of the pass are the remnants of a mining settlement and we enjoy incredible views over the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Descending from the alpine meadows above timberline we wind down to the famous ski
town of Breckenridge. We have time to explore this mining town turned ski resort before our next adventure over the remote Weston Pass, at 3663m. Again a dirt track leads into the wilds through thick forests to amazing high alpine meadows far above the timberline. In the evening we nestle into the small town of Buena Vista, on the Arkansas River. Overnight in Buena Vista.

The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River with a length of 2300km. Today we are near the headwaters of this river, nestled below some of Colorado’s highest peaks. The day is at your leisure. You have a choice between guided walks, rafting trips, horseback riding, fly fishing, or soaking in Cottonwood Hot Springs. Overnight in Buena Vista.

Our adventure continues as we head over the Continental Divide at Cottonwood Pass, reaching alpine meadows at 3696m with amazing views over the tallest mountains of the Rockies abound. Descending, we soon reach the town of Tincup at 3100m, a destination for many off roaders – and accessible only by dirt tracks. Gold was discovered here in 1859 but the
miners struggled with the threat of Indian attacks. By 1879 the town boasted a population of 1500 and by 1918 most of mines were exhausted and the town was abandoned. There is time to explore Tincup and visit the Boothill Cemetery. Our next adventure is the remote Cumberland Pass at 3662m. A steep dirt track winds up from the valley past countless beaver ponds. This is the most dramatic road yet. Descending from the pass we see many old homesteads and mines left
behind 100 years ago. The town of Pitkin is a lovingly preserved ghost town, and the gateway for many off roaders. Waunita Pass at 3129m is yet a different experience as we descend into a lush valley of aspen trees. Our hotel in Gunnison. Overnight in Gunnison.

The San Juan Mountains are world famous for off- roading. Not only did these mountains boast some of the richest ore deposits in the West, they also rank as some of the most beautiful peaks in Colorado. Countless Jeep tracks can be found among many mining towns of remarkable splendour. Owl Creek Pass at 3082m awaits us. Driving through some of the
largest aspen forests we soon reach the old mining town of Ouray, nestled underneath Mount Sneffels. There is time to explore the lovely town. Following a remote backcountry track we cross the wilderness around Mount Sneffels reaching the renowned ski town of Telluride, surely one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado. Our lodge is in the small mountain
town of Ridgeway. Overnight in Ridgeway.

Today is reserved to explore the most beautiful peaks of Colorado – the San Juan Mountains. The group has to decide between riding the remarkable Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Steam Train, and / or a challenging ride over Ophir Pass, at 3593m, a breath taking, non-technical route over the San Juans (conditions permitting). Of course there is time for soaking in the hot springs at Ouray or Ridgway, shopping or exploring. Overnight in Ridgeway.

The morning is at leisure. Then, following the San Miguel River we descend into the red rock wilderness of the Colorado Plateau. A remote track leads us over the remote and wild Uncompaghre Plateau and Columbine Pass at 2778m. From here we enjoy vast views over desert highlands and peaks in the east before returning to the civilisation of pavement.
Driving remote country roads we soon reach Glenwood Springs, on the banks of the Colorado River. This former mining and railroad town is well known for its extensive hot springs and was called “The White House of the Rockies”, when President Roosevelt visited in 1905. There is time to soak in the pools, visit the dark vapor caves long favoured by the Native Americans, rent a bike, or explore the Fairy Caves. Overnight in Glenwood Springs.

The morning is at leisure. Our journey concludes today with a 3-hour drive over Vail Pass (3251m) and through Eisenhower Tunnel, the world’s highest automotive tunnel at 3386m. En route we stop in Vail for some last minute souvenir shopping. At Georgetown there is a chance to ride the historic narrow gauge railroad over tall wooden trestles and bridges. We return our vehicles. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Denver.

Enjoy your last day in Denver before going to the airport for your flight home.