Grand Adventures in Winter Park has new snowmobiles!

Grand Adventures, our local go-to for snowmobiling in Winter Park, has purchased brand new fleets of snowmobiles for the winter season! The new snowmobiles are 2 seater Yamaha Venture Lites (for guided tours) and 1 seater Yamaha Phazers (for unguided tours). Here are the specs, with translation for those of you who aren’t professionals:

Fourstroke: Quieter, more efficient, and larger than two stroke engines. Also, the professionals over at Grand Adventures tell me  you won’t get any of the fumes that come with two stroke engines.

Ergonomic: They are designed to fit your body, resulting in a super comfortable ride that requires less work from you.

Smoother acceleration: So you don’t have to deal with whiplash while you’re cruising on the continental divide at almost 12,000 feet

Heavier: In the words of the Grand Adventures professionals again, this means that the snowmobiles “won’t dance around, but will plow through the snow.”

AND, these new snowmobiles burn 1/2 as much fuel, making them more environmentally friendly. Plus, they’re quieter, making it easier for you to get a good look at all the wildlife you might run into.

Check out Grand Adventures’ website: http://www.grandadventures.com/ for more information on rentals, tours, rates, and more. Snowmobiling really is one of the most fun ways to check out some incredible views of the mountains and Winter Park, not to mention being quite a bit easier than hiking up a mountain in the middle of winter. Have fun!

Fall Foliage Starting to Shine | Head to Winter Park for the Aspen

Just drove through the Rocky Mountain National Park last weekend, and had a great surprise. The Aspen are beginning to turn colors. There’s nothing as brilliant as an Aspen grove in full glowing gold. The drive up 40 through Empire affords leaf peepers great views of Aspen intermingled with the evergreen. Continuing on to the Park you will see some gorgeous views between Granby and Grand Lake.

It’s also the time of year for the elk to start making their way down into the valley. We were lucky enough to see a herd of elk way up at the top. The bull was gigantic and made the females run when he bugled. In the next few weeks, they should be down in the valley just inside the Park. It is a great place to view them, since they are very close to the road and not really bothered by people. Best time to go is early evening, just before dusk. Bundle up, it gets cold once the sun goes down and you won’t want to leave.  September is a gorgeous time of year in Winter Park, be sure to make your reservation to come up and enjoy the colors and wildlife. Give us a call to book 877 329 1383.

Moose At The Winter Park Base

We have moose up at the Winter Park Resort!  A couple bull moose came over to check out all the goings on at the resort this past Tuesday and it seems they think all is well.  They tried to get onto the alpine slide but were politely turned away.  The moose came over and hung out a little and then slowly made their way off. 

There is lots of wildlife to see up here in Winter Park this time of year.  Also , with all the rain that we have gotten the plant life is out and green and the area looks great.  Come on up to Winter Park and see some wildlife and enjoy some of the Winter Park activities that can be had. 

Thanks to the Winter Park Resorts Twitter account for the above photo.

Fresh Catch with Grand County Fly Fishers

Rocky Mountain National Park

With a signature from Woodrow Wilson in 1915 Rocky Mountain National Park was established.  The tenth U.S. National Park is 358 square miles of lush green valleys and streams to the wind swept top of Longs Peak.  Rocky Mountain National Park is a grand living display of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.  From the wet grassy valleys to Longs Peak summit at 14,259 ft. the park is a visual masterpiece.  If you have not visited the park I recommend you do so.  The Rocky is just a short drive of about 40 minutes (25 miles) from Winter Park and Fraser.  See map. 

The activities are endless in the summer: hiking, fishing, biking, scenic drives, camping, and climbing and mountaineering.  There is something at the park for everyone especially the kids.  Activities in the winter are a bit more limited but just as fun if not more.  And in the fall the buggling elk are something to behold.  The park is open everyday of the year!

Park entrance fees are $20 per car and $10 per person on motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds and scooters.  There are also camping fees for overnight stays.

A wonderful day trip can be had driving to Grand Lake for breakfast then a nice drive thru the park with a late lunch in Estes Park and a return trip back to Winter Park for dinner.

Winter Park’s Hidden Confluence Park

Confluence Park is a cute little park and trail hidden behind Hideaway Park. My boyfriend and I frequent this area to take his dog for a walk. The trail is short and sweet, just 1/4 mile loop, and very pretty. The Vasquez Creek meets the Fraser River where the trail becomes a boardwalk over the water. It’s perfect for strollers and small kids, or just an easy and peaceful nature walk. Moose love the meadow adjacent to the entrance of the park, so keep your eyes peeled.

The easiest starting point is from Hideaway Park, which is on the corner of the Hwy 40 and Rendezvous Way. It’s caddy corner from McDonalds and next to the Visitor Center. Start on the sidewalk set right next to the skate park and keep going for about 1/4 mile in the direction away from the park. The paved trail passes behind some new townhomes called Riverwalk.  Just past the townhomes, you’ll see a bridge that crosses over Vasquez Creek. Take a left over the bridge and you’re there. Check out this map for it’s exact location.

Bugling Elk

We packed up the twins last week and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park to hear the male elk call to the other male elk – something I guess that happens just at this time of year around dusk. What a sight! My photo does no justice to the scene – not even worth posting (thanks camera)! We got out of the car and there was a female elk right in front of us (a bit scary when holding an 11 month old). Then we saw a field of them and could hear the male elk calling the others for a “fight” I guess? An amazing thing to see even if you have to feed babies in the back of a car for 45 minutes on the way home.

Byer’s Peak Hike

While Winter Park is bustling when the snow is falling, the Summer season is perfect for all of us searching for a quiet mountain getaway. Whatever outdoor activity it is that suits your fancy, we’ve got it here. No crowds, unbeatable sunsets, and good old fashioned wide open space…. did I mention it’s free too? Ok, well maybe not all of it, but it sure is a good deal.

One of these killer bargains (free) is the hike to the top of Byer’s Peak. If you’re in the mood to get your heart rate up, have decent hiking shoes and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Rockies, this one’s for you!

So last week my boyfriend (Dace) and I set out to conquer the 5 mile route up to the peak. We opted to bike 1.8 miles from the new trailhead to the original trailhead from the Forest Service gate. This steady climb was immediately followed by a lengthy “water break” when we reached the end of the road and the start of the original trail. The first 1.8 mile stretch has been recently closed by the forest service to motor vehicles due to the impact on the wilderness area. They do allow bikes on it up to the original trailhead, and have even placed a bike rack to which you can lock your bikes, if you so desire. From here on to the top is a hiking only trail. So, after our break and with no other people in sight, we headed up.

About 30 minutes up we stopped in a clearing to take in the view and try out our aim. We then spent a good 15 minutes hurling small rocks over an 80 foot gap in attempt to hit 2 rusty oil drums in the brush below. I got soooo close but it was Dace’s rock that eventually gave that satisfactory “dinng!!!”. Victory!

A steadily ascending, root filled path eventually gave way to tree line, with the summit in sight. The wind was whipping around us and I noticed the ground was moving. At first I think I’m seeing things, but then we get closer and realize the movement is a bunch of Ptarmigans pecking at the ground, like chickens in a barnyard. 10, 12, 0r 14 of the greyish-brown birds were covering the side of the trail, blending in and out of the mountainside. I’m really feeling the increase in elevation now and simultaneously realize how hungry I am. A cheeseburger is in order after climbing to nearly 13,000 ft, yes indeed.

On the verge of the last push up a particularly rocky section, we spot a family of mountain goats hanging out on a rocky precipice. One of them actually passes us quite close, pauses, and with an unconcerned look walks back towards the others.

They look really warm (which thankfully I am too because I remembered my windbreaker). So we push ahead and I think about the hot chocolate I may have before my burger. Shortly after, we reached the summit and took in the amazing 360 degree view of the Rockies. The sun was shining and we were feeling pretty lucky to be in our own backyard.

The descent cruised by and we made a beeline for the barbeque grill. For those of you who have yet to go, we highly recommend it because it’s worth the work and will make the burger that much better!