COLORADO - U.S.A.
A Multi-Experience holiday, with great walking/hiking in the Rocky Mountains, Ancient Indian Civilisations, the Silverton Railroad and much more!
Colorado is a very beautiful state, with the dramatic Rocky Mountains running north to south and spectacular red sandstone canyon lands to the west. It is a land of high plains and soaring mountains, with no less than 55 peaks of over 14,000 feet. Your holiday is based in four centres, each giving a different aspect of this diverse state. It starts in Denver, where you stay one night before heading northwest to Estes Park. Three nights at delightful Grand Lake Lodge, standing at over 9,000 feet above sea level, give two full days of walking in the Rocky Mountain National Park The lodge has a very scenic location on Grand Lake, at the very edge of the National Park. From Grand Lake you head southwest, via a wonderfully scenic route to Grand Junction.
This is a very pleasant town, with pedestrianized shopping streets decorated with sculptures by local artists and with street entertainers. You stay a further three nights here at the very comfortable Holiday Inn. This has indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools. From Grand Junction you can view the Colorado National Monument’s red sandstone canyons from the 23 mile long Rimrock Trail and hike down along its many footpaths. It contains ancient carvings, dinosaur fossils and shelters mountain lions, elk, mule deer and big-horn sheep. You can also explore the Grand Mesa, America’s largest flat topped island plateau, with its delightful streams and lakes, or take a drive to visit the awesome 2,000 foot deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.
Next stop is the old cowboy town of Durango, with three nights at the Durango Inn, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. From the west, north and east, Durango is reached via 11,000 foot passes and the drive is always spectacular. Your time is spent hiking in the mountains and visiting fabled Mesa Verde’s ancient Anasazi Indian ruins. The site contains more than 4,000 prehistoric sites dating back to 550-1270 A.D.
From Durango you head north to Ouray, which is surrounded by many majestic 14,000 foot peaks. You stay three nights and enjoy two more full days of great hiking in these wonderful mountains. The transfer from Durango to Ouray is via Silverton and as an optional extra you can ride the super-scenic Silverton Railroad, which runs from Durango to Silverton, a journey of 45 miles through narrow, twisting canyons. The trains are hauled by original coal burning steam locomotives dating from the 1920s and the coaches were built back in the 1880s! As another optional extension to this memorable trip you can even go panning for gold!
Finally you head northeast back to Denver, through more impressive mountain scenery. Your last night is spent in Denver and, depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to explore some of the delights of this green and attractive “mile high” city.
ACCOMMODATION is at excellent hotels, motels and lodges. We have selected the best available, consistent with the programme and you are assured of every comfort. All bedrooms have private bathroom facilities, of course. Accommodation is generally in twin/queen sized bedded or double/king sized bedded rooms. Single rooms are few and far between, which means sole occupancy of twins/ doubles is usually necessary. This results in quite high single room supplements, over which we have no control.
FLIGHTS Footloose Europe does not arrange flights from Britain to the U.S.A. We can however assist you by telephoning fully bonded Tour Operators on your behalf. Please note that we do not take payment for flights ourselves, these must be made directly to the ATOL holder. By ensuring that you are booking direct with an ATOL holder you can rest assured that your flights are financially protected.
TRAVEL in Colorado will be either by small, fully fitted coach in the case of larger groups, or by comfortable mini-bus, driven by our leader in the case of smaller parties. In this case numbers per vehicle will be limited, so that everyone has a window seat. This system has worked very well on previous American tours.
THE WALKING PROGRAMME The walking programme is designed at Footloose Grades 2 to 4. With one Leader, walks will be a mix of all grades, depending on location and the abilities of the party. With two Leaders we can offer a choice of two walks on each of the 10 walking days. The distances and ascents / descents may be modified to suit the needs and abilities of the group members but will generally be :-
Grade 2 : Up to 3,000 feet of ascent / descent, on way-marked paths. Terrain may be steeply inclined and rough underfoot, with loose rock at times. Early snow may be encountered at higher levels. Distances 10-15 miles.
Grade 3 : Up to 1,500 feet of ascent / descent, on way-marked paths. Terrain may be steeply inclined at times and rough underfoot, with possibly some loose rock, although many American trails are well manicured. Distances usually 5 - 8 miles.
Grade 4 : Up to about 750 feet of ascent or descent, generally on manicured, way-marked paths. Terrain may be fairly steep but for only short sections. Distances usually 3-5 miles.
THE PRICE INCLUDES
* 14 nights accommodation in twin or double rooms, all with private bathroom & toilet, in high quality hotels, motels or lodges.
* Travel throughout the holiday by small coach or minibus.
* All costs necessary to fulfil the walking programme.
* Entrance fees to National Parks and Monuments and State Parks.
* Services of one or more Footloose Leaders
* All local service charges and taxes.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Flights from U.K. to and from Denver ; Meals (some breakfasts may be complimentary) ; travel to/from U.K. airport ; insurance ; admissions to museums etc. except as specified ; single room supplements ; items of a personal nature, e.g. drinks, telephone calls etc.
