By Henri Bauholz
Glenwood Springs is an old West
resort town 160 miles west of
Denver, and not too far from Aspen. The town is built around a grand old hotel, the Colorado Hotel, and some natural hot springs that heat a large community pool to the temperature of 90 degrees. Interstate 70 runs through the resort community, as does the Colorado and White rivers, which provide plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking and good fishing. Recently, the town was ranked as the No. 1 fishing destination in the
United States. For hiking enthusiasts, a low line of mountains provide abundant hiking trails. All of these ingredients combine to make Glenwood Springs a premier tourist destination in the Rocky Mountains.
Enjoy A Hot Pool
The Glenwood Springs pool is a large, modern, concrete structure that is naturally heated by the Yampah Hot Springs. The pool is open to the public with an admission fee. The pool maintains its 90-degree temperature even in the winter, making it a great place to soak after a day on the slopes. There is also a therapy pool, which is heated to a warmer temperature. Nearby are the Vapor Caves, which can be visited by a walking tour. These caves are also heated by the hot springs.
Go Fishing
Field and Stream magazine just rated this town the No. 1 fishing resort in the country. Recommendations don't come much better than that. Avid anglers will find that the region is especially suited for fly fishing in the mountain streams and small rivers. Great fishing abounds on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado River, Crystal River and Frying Pan River. You can venture off into the nearby national forest on your own or hire a guide and outfitter to assist you.
Try Skiing or Snowboarding
Two world class ski resorts are within an hour's drive. Vail is due west along the interstate. To get to Aspen, you'll take a two-lane highway. Skiing and snowboarding doesn't get much better than this and visitors will find that many of the inns and hotels have ski packages. Even the popular youth hostel in town has good ski packages to Aspen. And If you are a novice skier or snowboarder, there is a small ski resort right in town, called Ski Sunlight.
Take a Hike
You can climb one of several low mountain ranges that flank the edges of this Rocky Mountain town or take a walk along the Colorado River that flows right along the interstate. There is a paved walkway that provides an excellent walkway or biking trail along the fast-flowing river. Around town and in the nearby hills, numerous trails vary greatly in their difficulty. You can take an easy stroll through town on Doc Holiday's Trail and visit his grave at Linwood Cemetery or climb a mountain on the Deadhorse Trail or Panorama Trail. More trails are available in the nearby White River National Forest.
Ride a Tram
The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park are connected with the Iron Mountain Tramway, a scenic ride in a gondola that will take you to the top of Iron Mountain, where you can take in a great view of the surrounding mountains. Nearby to the summit are the Glenwood Caverns, an exciting network of interconnected caves. This park that is designed to accommodate the casual tourist, is a great place to bring the kids and the whole family. There are also many thrills and exciting rides to enjoy.
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
