Blogs from Aspen, Colorado, United States, North America - page 2

The thing that you quickly come to realize about powder is how much you can throw your body around, come a complete cropper and get up smiling. Seriously it is almost impossible to hurt yourself falling into powder. Once you learn that, a door opens into another dimension. "You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone" The other dimension is rather the ungroomed runs, but the rest is true. Went to bed with snow falling and again this morning it was still snowing and then throughout the day. There is fun to be had busting through a bank of powder and surviving. Although I ... read more

We ended up spending two nights and one full day in Aspen. We knew we wanted to see Maroon Bells, so we went in the morning. The rest of our day was open to exploring. While Oliver napped, Jo and I took a stroll. She wasn't very happy to be stuck in her stroller, but I kept handing her leaves (her favorite), so she tolerated it. We stayed at the Annabelle Inn on Main Street in Aspen, thanks to a great deal I managed to score on one of those discount hotel websites. The hotel was quaint and absolutely everything you'd want on a trip to the mountains. The innkeeper and assistant manager were very friendly and helpful. I asked for a lunch recommendation in walking distance, and the innkeeper recommended Pyramid Bistro. He said it's ... read more

As teenagers in Aspen, the kids always had something they could do outside. In the winter there was almost always skiing, snowmobiles, playing hockey and even camping, yes camping. Summers were filled with 4×4 trips up Aspen Mountain or into the back country. Many of us also had “mini-bike” motorcycles. Hiking the 14ers was a staple activity for us as well as more camping. One of our favorite group activities was spending the day up Independence Pass at the areas known as “The Grottos” and “The Devil’s Punchbowl.” Anyone who has lived in the Aspen area or visited often knows of “The Grottos.” Back in the 1970’s access to the Grottos was limited to a small parking lot or along Highway 82 up by the narrows. To get to the Grottos required a trek up the ... read more

Description- The Castle Creek Valley lies to the south of Aspen between Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands ski areas. At the head of the valley lies the fourteen thousand foot tall Castle Peak. The ghost town of Ashcroft and the Ashcroft Cross-Country Ski Area are located below the peak. Cathedral and American lakes are located nearby. The lower end of the valley is dominated by views of Hayden Peak. Conundrum Creek is located to the west of Hayden. Attractions- The Castle Creek Area includes Conundrum Creek and Hot Springs, Ashcroft, Montezuma Basin, Taylor Pass, Express Creek, Castle Peak, American Lake, Cathedral Lake, Electric Pass, Little Annie Basin, Richmond Ridge and much more. Recreation- Some of the numerous recreation opportunities available in the Castle Creek Area include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, backcountry camping, fishing, four-whe... read more

In 1971, the White River National Forest issued a unique special permit and Ashcroft became the first self-sustaining cross-country ski area in the U.S. Located 12 miles above Aspen in the upper reaches of spectacular Castle CreekValley, the ski area offers excellent terrain for all levels of Nordic skiers. Thirty-five kilometers of meticulously groomed trails wind across 600 acres in the sub-alpine valley surrounding the Ghost Town of Ashcroft, a turn-of-the-century mining town designated on the National Register of Historical Places. At an elevation of 9,500 feet . The winter season runs Thanksgiving day until early April A full-day pass to use the trail system is $15; a half-day pass (after 12:30 p.m.) is $10. There are special rates for senior citizens and children. Ashcroft offers skiing trails, groomed for classic and skate styles, and separate ... read more