HIGHLIGHTS COLORADO ROCKIES RAMBLE JUNE 24 - JULY 1, 2017 TRIP SUMMARY Hiking in crisp and cool Rocky Mountain air through meadows lush with wildflowers Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River Cruising down bike paths through gorgeous scenery Horseback riding on gentle paths with great views Enjoying the very popular mountain towns of Aspen and Snowmass Relaxing in beautiful condos with hot tubs and heated pools nearby Phone: 877-439- 4042 Outside the US: 410-435- 1965 Fax: 410-435- 3084 Email: info@goodadventure.com
TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Jun 24 - Jul 1, 2017 Location: Snowmass, CO Cost: $2,450.00 Activities: Multisport Arrive: Arrive at the Denver airport anytime on June 24 Depart: We will be back at the Denver airport by 1:30 on July 1 and you can plan flights out after 3pm TRIP OVERVIEW The White River National Forest offers an incredible diversity of activities for anyone who loves the outdoors: hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, lush meadows full of extravagant wildflowers, and soaring mountain peaks. We will experience it all during our week here: we'll go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking, and gentle biking. During our week we will immerse ourselves in the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Park. And at night we will retire to our comfortable vacation condos in Snowmass. RATING This trip is for women in moderate physical condition who enjoy trying lots of different activities in the gorgeous playground of the Colorado Rockies. The trip is rated as 2. A rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35-45 minutes. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5. WHAT'S INCLUDED Experienced AGC and local guides All activities on the itinerary, including whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, and riding all meals from Sunday breakfast through breakfast the next Saturday with the exception of one lunch and one dinner one night lodging in double occupancy rooms, all others in single rooms gratuities for local guides transportation during the trip including round trip transfer from the Denver airport Not included: transportation to Denver, alcoholic beverages, optional activities, guide gratuities, and items of a personal nature
OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 JUNE 24, SATURDAY Arrive anytime today at the Denver airport. We'll be staying at a nearby hotel with an airport shuttle so you can arrive whenever it's convenient. Our first formal get together will be tomorrow although everyone who's arrived can get together for dinner. DAY 2 JUNE 25, SUNDAY After meeting for breakfast, we'll leave Denver about 8:30AM for the four hour drive to Snowmass Village. You will quickly notice that the air is thinner here, something that takes a day or two for our bodies to adapt. Our week starts with a great acclimatization hike up the Rim Trail in Snowmass. This scenic trail follows switchbacks through popping wildflowers until it reaches a marble ying- yang at over 9,000 ft. The view from here is amazing, as it looks down the Snowmass Creek, Roaring Fork, and Old Snowmass valleys. We will follow the ridge out a few miles before getting a ride back to our condos. We'll be staying in 3 different condos at The Crestwood and we'll have time to settle in before getting together for our first shared dinner. DAY 3 JUNE 26, MONDAY Today we jump on bikes for a leisurely ride down the Rio Grande bike trail. We pick the trail up in Aspen and follow the river down valley, so we have a nice, slightly downhill grade during the ride. Our first stop will be at the Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. This unique roadside grill is a must see when visiting the area and has gained a well known reputation over the years for being the anti- establishment, quirky eatery that offsets the posh restaurants of Aspen. This was the local hangout of Hunter S. Thompson, who had his own bar stool here and was base camp for many of his wild daily adventures. After lunch (not included), we will continue pedaling along the Rio Grande Trail until we reach Woody Creek Distillers, where we will stop for a local whiskey tasting before shuttling back to Snowmass. Maybe this is the time we'll try soaking in the hot tubs or relaxing in the sauna?
DAY 4 JUNE 27, TUESDAY It's whitewater rafting day!! Following breakfast, we will drive over scenic Independence Pass to the Arkansas River valley. Here we will spend a full day of whitewater rafting through America s newest national monument - Brown's Canyon. This is 15 miles of some of Colorado's best Class II and III whitewater, suitable for complete novices and experienced rafters alike. We'll keep our eyes out for the wildlife that abounds here, including bighorn sheep, mule deer and, if we were incredibly lucky, mountain lions. We'll stop midway for a delicious lunch, served on the banks of the Arkansas River. We'll return to our condos for another relaxed evening and shared meal. DAY 5 JUNE 28, WEDNESDAY Today we will return to the trails as we enjoy a full day hike in the Capitol Creek Valley. Our hike meanders through aspen groves and meadows as it follows along Capitol Creek, beneath the shadow of towering 14,131 foot Capitol Peak. We will eat lunch in one of the wildflower filled open meadows that dot the valley floor this day. Following our day on the trail, we head over to the Avalanche hot springs for a late afternoon soak before returning to our condos in Snowmass. If you've been wanting to experiment with local restaurants, this is the night to go for it. For those who prefer relaxing back at the condos, the guides will supply some pizza and salad. DAY 6 JUNE 29, THURSDAY Now that you have been here for 4 days, you undoubtedly have been told several times that no visit to Aspen/Snowmass is complete without a visit to the Maroon Bells. Known as the most photographed peaks in North America, you would be hard pressed to find a more scenic location to spend the day. After a short 3- mile hike, we will enjoy a light lunch consisting of local foods at a picnic spot along Maroon Creek. We will then get on hybrid cruiser bikes for a gentle downhill ride into Aspen. The 10 mile cruise on paved surfaces is a great way to see black bear or moose hanging out in the valley.
DAY 7 JUNE 30, FRIDAY We'll have a relaxing morning today with plenty of time to visit the Village if you haven't already. After lunch we're on for our last adventure. A week in Colorado would not be complete without enjoying some of the Western heritage the state is known for. We will be spending the afternoon in the saddle on one of the world class horseback rides in the Roaring Fork Valley, choosing the trail that is most scenic for the time of year. After the ride, jeeps will pick us up at the trailhead as we head up Snowmass Mountain for a backcountry sunset dinner. This rustic, BBQ dinner begins by climbing to the Coney Glade overlook. Here we will be treated to a local brew and spirits tasting with the crafters themselves onsite to explain a little about each of their creations. Dinner itself will be outside of a historic sheep herders cabin and includes a musician and an evening spent around a raging bonfire. A true Colorado experience and a great way to wrap up our day! DAY 8 JULY 1, SATURDAY Today after breakfast we'll retrace our steps, back through the mountains we've had so much fun exploring this past week. We'll be back to the airport by 1 pm and you can plan flights out for anytime after 3pm.
ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE If you are flying, plan to fly into the Denver (DEN) airport anytime on June 24. We will be spending the first night at the Courtyard Marriott which has a hotel shuttle. If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Sara Schuitemaker at sara@scaneastwest.com or call 800/727-2157 ACCOMMODATIONS We will be stay the first night at Courtyard Marriott in Denver near the airport. Our next 5 nights are at The Crestwood condos (www.thecrestwood.com) We will have 3 condos: one 3 bedroom and two 3- bedroom with lofts. Most rooms are singles and there is a $200 reduction for sharing the room with twin beds and $300 for sharing the loft with two beds (the loft opens up onto the living room below, so while it is private and has a bathroom, it may not be as quiet). The condos have three outdoor hot tubs, a heated pool, and a fitness center with steam room and sauna. WEATHER Late June is a beautiful time in Colorado. Typically high temperatures in Snowmass Village are in the mid- 70s and lows are in the mid- 40s. Temperatures can be 10-15 degrees cooler at high elevations. Colorado is known for its afternoon thunderstorms and while that is more typical later in the summer, we will always be keeping that in mind as we plan our daily schedules. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use 20-0016 as your location number on the Get A Quote page.
PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair of lightweight hiking boots: boots need to be well broken in and comfortable 1 pair of comfortable athletic shoes, Teva sandals, crocs for wearing the rest of the time 2-3 pairs of hiking socks: wool or synthetic equivalent (some people also like to wear liner socks) CLOTHING 1 2 pair of long pants for hiking (supplex or nylon/polyester/spandex blend). Zip- offs work well 1 2 pair of shorts 1 lightweight, light- colored, long- sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun 2 3 synthetic T- shirts or short- sleeved shirts 1 pair lightweight long underwear top and bottoms: silk, wool or synthetic equivalent (Capilene, Smartwool, MTS, or polypropylene) 1 medium- weight top layer: wool shirt/pull- over or synthetic equivalent ( expedition weight long underwear, microfleece). A fleece vest can work for this layer as well. 1 fleece jacket, wool sweater, or sweatshirt 1 rain parka: coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore- tex. Underwear/nightwear 1 wide- brimmed hat for protection from the sun whatever clothes you like to wear when not hiking TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia, and sanitary supplies Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 small personal patch kit : Band- Aids, Compeed or Second Skin, moleskin, cloth athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, if any. Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an anaphylactic kit. ESSENTIALS 1 daypack large enough to hold your supplies for the day (water, snacks, sunscreen, raingear, fleece jacket, personal patch kit, etc.) Line your bag with a trash bag in case of rain Sunglasses (100% UV protection) Tupperware (or equivalent) sandwich box for carrying your lunch Croakies or other sunglasses retainer capacity to carry 2 quarts of water: 2 one- quart water bottles or a hydration system that fits in your pack. If you bring a hydration system for hiking, you may also want to bring a water bottle for other times OPTIONAL Bandanna (very multi- useful) Camera (extra battery or charger) and film/memory card Binoculars Wrist watch/travel alarm clock Hiking poles (recommended, especially if you want to learn to use them)
NOTES ON PACKING Please Note: The Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers what we have found to be essential for your safety and comfort for this particular trip. Please follow the packing list carefully. Daypacks: We recommend a daypack with space for all of your items. Before you leave home check to be sure that your daypack is comfortable to wear all day. Having a daypack with a hip belt and padded shoulder straps will provide for much more comfortable hiking. Footwear: Well- fitting, sturdy boots are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general trekking, lightweight cordura or leather boots work well. Leather boots may be waterproofed in various simple ways, and cordura boots will be waterproof if they are lined with Gore- Tex. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get leather boots or good quality cordura ones that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Personal First Aid Kit: Small first aid kit with familiar medicine you might need for personal use, ESPECIALLY blister or foot remedies like moleskin, gel skin, blister bandages or similar. Other suggestions: remedies for respiratory ailments? Stomach ailments? Sore muscles or joints? We will have a first aid kit too, but if you already know what works for you it s better to have it with you than experiment on a trip. Clothing: All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick Layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore- tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Lastly, the wind/rain pants. They should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full- length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. Hydration: It is very important to your safety and enjoyment to have an independent ability for accessing your water. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and Gregory bladder bags. These are a collapsible water bag with a hose attachment that you drink from. The bag fits inside (or outside) of your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder where you can access your water without the use of your hands. If you bring a hydration system, you may also want to bring a water bottle for drinking water in the van, while whitewater rafting and horseback riding etc.