From the Colorado River to the Continental Divide: History and Scenery in the Roaring Fork Valley
Total Number of Days/Nights: Three
Itinerary Summary: This tour takes you from the most important river in the Southwest United States to the top of the continent through the Roaring Fork Valley. Here you will find everything, from some of the state’s most impressive high-country scenery to historical sites including Doc Holliday’s gravesite to the quarry that produced the marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to ghost towns abandoned after the gold and silver deposits ran out. Designed primarily as a summer tour, this trip can also give an added dimension to a ski vacation and includes travel over the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, to the ghost towns of Ashcroft and Independence and into and around the historic towns of Glenwood Springs, Marble and Aspen
Destinations Include
Frontier Museum
Glenwood Caverns
Doc Holliday’s Gravesite
Marble
Ashcroft Ghost Town
Wheeler/Stallard and Holden/Marolt Museums
Independence Ghost Town
Continental Divide at Independence Pass
Day One: Glenwood Springs
Start your tour in Glenwood Springs, about two hours west of Denver on Interstate 70. Here you can see where Doc Holliday is buried in a classic pioneer cemetery, explore the Fairy Caves in Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, take a dip in the historic Glenwood Hot Springs, relax in the Vapor Caves that were once used by the Ute Indians for their curative powers and visit the Frontier Historical Society Museum to get a feel for the broad history of this crossroads town. The Hotel Colorado is one of the state’s grand old hotels and once hosted President Theodore Roosevelt on a hunting trip in the early 20th century. Overnight in Glenwood Springs.
Day Two: Glenwood Springs, Marble, Ashcroft, Aspen
After leaving Glenwood springs, head east on Highway 82 toward Aspen and turn right (south) onto Highway 133 at Carbondale. Proceed along the Crystal River toward the town of Redstone, stopping to see the collection of coke ovens that are located across from the entrance to Redstone and were once used to create hotter-burning coke from coal. After that stop, continue south along Highway 133 where you will see the historic Redstone Castle across the river on your left about a mile down the road, a site that hosted J.P Morgan, among others. Travel another five miles or so and take the left-hand turn to Marble. In Marble, you will readily see numerous examples of the town’s namesake product scattered about – the marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other Washington, D.C. monuments came from this remote mountain hamlet. After touring Marble, backtrack along Highway 133 back to Highway 82 and turn right toward Aspen. Before actually arriving in Aspen, turn right onto the Castle Creek turnoff in the roundabout near the picturesque Prince of Peace chapel and proceed up Castle Creek 11 miles to the ghost town of Ashcroft. This 1880s mining town was once larger than Aspen and is located on the left side of the road. There is a parking lot and a boardwalk for ease of exploration and guided tours are available. Overnight in Aspen and be sure to check out the historic Hotel Jerome and Wheeler Opera House for dining with a historic flavor.
Day Three: Aspen, Independence
After breakfast (the Wienerstube, Hickory House and Poppycock’s all offer reasonable meals) contact the Aspen Historical Society (970-925-3721) and set up a tour on their new electric Historic Coach. This tour not only takes you through historic downtown Aspen with a costumed tour guide but also includes tours of the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, an 1888 brick Queen Anne Victorian and the Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum, a barn left over from the mining era that now presents a hands-on museum experience that is very popular among children. After the History Coach tour, exit Aspen to the east on Highway 82 and proceed 16 miles toward Independence Pass. On your right will be the ghost town of Independence, the only gold-producing town in the Roaring Fork Valley. Interpretive guides portraying ghosts are on hand throughout the summer to answer questions about the site, though tours are self-guided. From the ghost town, continue to the pass about three miles farther along Highway 82. This is the second-highest through-road in the state (Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest) and offers spectacular views of some of the highest mountains in the country. From here, return to Denver via Highway 82 and then Highway 24 through Leadville before connecting with Interstate 70 at Copper Mountain.