Colorado photo spots?

[acorean]

Going to Breckenridge end of July for a wedding. Flying into Denver a day early (wed) then heading to Breckenridge Thurs - Sun for wedding and stuff.

Can someone suggest a location somewhere between Denver and Breckenridge that I should go with the wife to take pictures, enjoy a nice B&B etc.?

Any help is appreciated.

[smmokan]

Are you looking for scenics, or cool towns, or what?

I'd suggest taking the scenic route from Denver: 285 south to the town of Fairplay, and then north on Hwy 9 to Breck (instead of I-70 from Denver). There are some cool old towns on the way, and plenty of spots to take pictures.

If you have a little more time to drive, you could keep going on 285 all the way to Buena Vista, then north on 24 towards Leadville (stopping at Twin Lakes on the way), then on to Copper Mtn (and finally over to Breck). That's quite a detour, but extremely beautiful and a great drive. If you time it right, you might get some rafters on the Arkansas near Buena Vista or Salida.

Feel free to PM me if you want more details, I'll be happy to help.

[acorean]

Definitely more intersted in scenics.

[20DNewbie]

Man if you could add another day or two to the trip it would be great, there's just so much to see.

Are you landing early in the morning, that would be best to get some extra time.

If so Aspen is a blast, is a pretty bizarre place if you've got the time to check it out. An early lunch at Little Annie's Eating House, check out the town for a bit and on the way out on Hwy 82 grab something for later at Johnny McGuire's Deli. Head out of town East on 82 and check out Independence Pass(a guy I worked with out there said it's the type of thing that'll change your life) and it'll take you out to Twin Lakes. Past Twin Lakes you'll meet up with 24 and on to Leadville.

Also if you do go to check out Aspen just before you get into town if you look off to the right you'll see Pyramid Peak. Maroon Bells is also a very worthy stop but will take more time to see.

If I were doing the trip, I'd fly into Aspen and not bother with the drive from Denver. If your in no rush to be in Breck early on Thursday and are flying into Denver maybe drive and stay in either Glenwood Springs or Carbondale(less touristy and possibly a bit cheaper) and get an early a.m.(meaning on the road prior to sun up) start you could probably make it to Breck by dinner time. Or you could try the Inn at Aspen(+/- $150 for a night and only a 6-7 minute drive IIRC into Aspen via free hotel shuttle/free city bus) sleep in a bit later.

Give Google images a peek and check out Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak, and Independence Pass to see what I'm talking about.

If you like the outdoors at all your gonna love the Rockies. Hell given the crap weather were having and the fact I just started my vacation I'm gonna go look for a trip now.

Have a blast.

[acorean]

Thanks for all the great info.

We are flying into Denver and arrive at 1PM. Not in a rush to get to Breck but want to get there by dinner time.

Looking for a place to stay on Wednesday night and a spot to take sunset photos. I doubt the wife will want to get up too early but if I'm up for it I will get up early and drive by myself somewhere close to wherever we stay.

I'll keep digging and let you guys know what I come up with.

[20DNewbie]

Just remember not to go to balls out for the first day or so, give your body time to acclimate. Also take it easy on the beer/wine/booze, I've seen people get smashed after about two drinks when coming from sea level. And lastly, if your going to be spending a fair amount of time outdoors in the sun put on some sun screen. It's a bit more powerful at that altitude so take care.

Man I'm super jealous, I still can't figure out why I bothered coming back east. It's just a whole other type of lifestyle out there, nothing like the Boston to D.C. corridor rat race.

[DRBair]

My recommendation is Loveland Pass, Silverthorne or stay in Georgetown on I-70. If you stay on I-70 and go past Vail towards Glenwood Springs you enter into glenwood canyon, about 2/3 the way into the canyon is a pull-off for Hanging Lake trail. You can get some great shots. Or as you start into the Glenwood canyon you can stop at the Bair ranch exit.

[acorean]

Decided to head north from Denver to Estes Park. Spending the night at the Stanley Hotel (where The Shining was filmed), then drive Rt 34 through the Rocky Mountain National Park. From there head south down 40 to I-70 to Breckenridge.