Colorado’s Crowning Glory: Pike’s Peak and the Majesty of the Rockies

Colorado’s legendary mountains offer the ultimate getaway destination for those who love both exploring landscapes of astounding natural beauty and discovering the vibrant local culture of those who live in and around them. It’s a world where everything looks like a romanticised landscape painting, and it’s frequently difficult to believe that what you’re seeing is actually real.

Here, in the first of three road diaries exploring Colorado’s singular charm, Man of Many will act as your guide, starting in iconic Denver and then venturing out to discover must-see natural wonders and unmissable attractions, finally reaching Colorado Springs and the iconic Pike’s Peak. Let’s go!

If you’re already sold on discovering the wonders of Colorado, make sure to visit Intrepid via the link below to book your next holiday.

Denver

A major American city like no other, Denver is the perfect launch point for our exhilarating foray into the Rocky Mountains. The Mile High City, nicknamed for its elevation above sea level, offers all the comforts and culture you would expect from a state capital, but with the added benefit of having a dramatic mountain backdrop setting and being surrounded by some of Mother Nature’s finest work.

This vibrant outdoor city pairs the charming sophistication of thriving arts and culinary scenes with a citizenry boasting such an uplifting and optimistic mindset that it just makes you want to get amongst it. Locals wear hiking shoes to dinner here, it’s that sort of town: everyone hikes and everyone skis, and (depending on the season) they have goggle or sunglasses tans to prove it.

While our plan is to fly into Denver and then road trip into the Rocky Mountains, we must first take in at least some of this great city’s offerings. Landing at Denver International Airport, it’s only a short ride on the airport train to Denver Union Station, right in the middle of downtown. Though this 112-year-old station is far more than ‘just’ a train station – it’s one of the hippest places to hang out in Denver: an essential hub for eating, drinking and shopping. Dropping our bags off at the stylish Crawford Hotel, which is housed within Union Station, there’s no feeling of jetlag, just an eagerness to immerse ourselves in the heart of things.

Our first stop is the Denver Graffiti Tour, which showcases some of the city’s best street art. Of the guided two-hour walking tours on offer, we select the Happy Hour, which takes the same route as the Original Tour and adds a very welcome 30-minute bar stop. We meet our tour group at the corner of 27th and Walnut St (about a 10-minute Uber from the Art Museum), and from there, we’re led on a stroll through Denver’s RiNo Art District as our guide explains the stories behind Denver’s best pieces of street art and those who created them.

The works are like walking through a big outdoor gallery in the sunshine with enormous murals of such grand ambition that it can be hard to comprehend how they were imagined, let alone created, in the first place. This part of Denver was once one of the least desired parts of the city, but now it’s where the hip crowds like to hang out, as indie-cool as any art district in any major city across the US.

At the tour’s end, we find ourselves at Improper City, a buzzing hub of restaurants, bars, and galleries, where we take the opportunity to unwind with a few more evening drinks and tacos from a nearby food truck (some of the best we’ve had on this trip). There are so many food trucks around Denver that you could never eat at a traditional restaurant and still feel you’ve gone totally gourmet. Denver is a genuine foodie city with districts boasting different cuisines all over town, and it’s never hard to find them (just follow your nose). Excited for what else Denver has in store, we return to the Crawford Hotel to ensure we’re well rested for what follows.

The next day, we start with a visit to the Denver Art Museum. Following a quick stop for some breakfast at Snooze in Union Station, getting to the museum is just a 25-minute stroll in this very walkable city — a rarity in a big American metropolis. Offering world-class collections sourced from around the world, the museum’s scope stretches from the art of over 250 Indigenous North American nations to a rich selection of contemporary works, as well as textile arts and fashion, and contributions from Africa, Asia, and Oceania. What’s exhibited from this deep catalogue is constantly in rotation, but on any given day, the Denver Art Museum is a deeply enriching experience.

By early afternoon, we’ve worked up an appetite, so we make the 15-minute walk to 54thirty Rooftop, with its lounge offering panoramic views of Denver’s downtown. After a few beers and accompanying bites that include BBQ pork sliders, chicken skewers, and braised short rib tacos, our next stop is Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

We are not prepared for the grand beauty of this extraordinary outdoor music venue. In fact, we have no hesitation in calling one of the most beautiful venues we’ve ever seen, which is saying something when you consider that the Man of Many team works within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House. Mumford & Sons, one of the originators of “stomp, clap, hey” music, are performing during our brief Denver stay and their particular take on folk rock couldn’t be better suited to the rustic outdoor aesthetic of this gorgeous location. Flanked by towering monoliths of red rock on each side (hence the name), our surroundings elevate the band’s music to no end, and before long, we’re “stomp, clap, heying” along with the best of them.

Having had a generous dose of Denver’s high culture and music, we choose to spend the next day enjoying a few beers and eating some American stadium staples at a ball game. They say baseball is “America’s pastime”, and while we do have the game back in Australia, there’s nothing quite like seeing the real thing. The Colorado Rockies are facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field, and come up with the win, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The following morning, we collect our hire car (a very capable 4×4 in preparation for realising our mountain-tackling ambitions) before bidding a fond farewell to Denver, vowing we’ll return someday to explore this great city further. For one thing, we didn’t have the chance to check out Denver’s other famed sporting franchises: the Denver Broncos NFL team, the Denver Nuggets basketball team, and the Colorado Avalanche ice hockey team, all of whose stadiums are extremely iconic and located close to the CBD.

But for now, our sights are set on Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Just under two hours’ drive from Denver, we’re promised there’s a wide selection of activities on offer. These include camping in the expansive backcountry, hiking to waterfalls and alpine lakes, and spotting iconic wildlife. There’s also the option to summit the 4,346 m Longs Peak, which is quite an undertaking: it’s a full-day experience that requires a permit and is only for those in excellent condition with a wealth of hiking experience.

Our ambitions are not quite that lofty, although we’re determined to make the most of our time. It’s worth noting that unless you’re arriving prior to 8 am, the park has a timed entry permit system, meaning you need to make a reservation in advance. Once you get in, don’t be surprised if you find the scale of the park a little overwhelming in the best way (even for we Aussies, whose homeland isn’t exactly lacking when it comes to size). As we familiarise ourselves with the park, we decide to explore some of its over 560 km of hiking trails.

We start with a hike to Alberta Falls, a round trip of approximately 2.6 km. It’s very popular – and gets crowded – but we get there a little early to beat the rush. It’s a good way to ease ourselves into the rhythm of the Rocky Mountains, and hey, it’s popular for a reason. It winds its way past picturesque Aspen stands (hundreds of trees, connected by a single, ancient underground root system, which are the world’s largest living organisms and can grow up to 8 km) to scenic views of the falls, whose waters rush down the 10 m drop into Glacier Creek.

Next, we try something a little more taxing: an 8 km hike out to Mills Lake. This proves quite popular, as we pass numerous people over the course of our three hours on the trail, and it’s easy to see why. This hike contains everything that’s quintessentially Rocky Mountain National Park: a combination of waterfalls, glacially carved canyons, sub-alpine forest and a high mountain lake that’s as dreamy as it comes. Plus, the sense of serenity that greets us upon arrival at Mills Lake is quite sublime. Claiming a seat atop one of the boulders surrounding the lake, it’s the perfect place to take it all in before starting our trek back to the parking lot.

With our hiking done for the day, we jump in our car and head to Glacier Basin Campground, where we’ll be staying for the night. Setting up our hire tent isn’t without its difficulties, but we manage to get it done before the light fades completely. There are flush toilets here (not the long drop type) and great views out over the Continental Divide. The fact that bear-resistant food lockers to store supplies in overnight are provided reminds us exactly where we are (the wilds of the Rockies – black bear country). We eat and sit listening to the sounds of the wilderness around us, but it’s not long before our sleeping bags start to call.

While it’s warm during the day, the mornings here can drop down to nearly freezing, even in July, so we wrap ourselves in our sleeping bags to watch the glorious sunrise. We’re keen to get another hike in before we have to hit the road to maintain our schedule. We discuss our options as we pack up our campsite, eventually opting for the hike to Flattop Mountain.

We drive to the Bear Lake Parking Lot and head out on what will ultimately be a rewarding six-hour round trip. We’re here early because it can get busy during the summer. It’s unquestionably the most difficult of our treks within the national park, presenting a steady climb out of the treeline, but as we head up, we find some fantastic lookout spots for rest with elevated vantages over Emerald Lake and Dream Lake. That said, there are some steep sections, and it’s rocky, so only attempt it if you’re a confident hiker with decent fitness. With its elevation gain of 868 m, it’s also important to be wary of altitude sickness, but we take our time, allow plenty of opportunities to drink water, have a bite to eat, and take a break.

As its name suggests, the mountain in all its glory is very flat and rocky, but this in no way detracts from the grand spectacle it presents. The views extend all the way back to Grand Lake, and are among the most gorgeous we’ve ever seen in Colorado or anywhere else.

Climbing back down towards our humble chariot, we’re left quite speechless by the enormity of what we’ve just seen. At the end of the trail, we quietly pack our things back into the 4×4 and head off to our next destination.

Fort Collins

Arriving in Fort Collins, a craft beer hotspot, we’re going to have our work cut out for us in a city boasting over 20 breweries. But first, we need to work up a thirst. Fortunately, Fort Collins has over 450 km of paved and unpaved walking and biking trails.

After acquainting ourselves with our charming rooms at The Elizabeth Hotel, each of which boasts a record player accompanied by a vinyl library to choose from, we head out for a scenic ride along part of the Cache la Poudre River. Taking the Young Gulch Trail, it’s an easy-to-moderate ride boasting some Insta-worthy scenic views. Taking us a little over four hours to complete the 16 km route, it’s a satisfying ride that leaves us feeling like we’ve put in some work without wrecking ourselves. More importantly, we now feel like we’ve earned our first beer.

As the largest producer of craft beer in Colorado (70 per cent of the state’s output), Fort Collins has plenty of breweries to check out. We start with a production tour at New Belgium Brewing, which provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into this unique operation’s production of IPAs, stouts, lagers, and ales. These Belgian-style beers made their mark on Fort Collins courtesy of co-founders Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch, who were inspired while on a 1988 Belgian bike trip, and we’re very happy they did. We sample a lot of beers and can’t find a dud among them, but a particular shout should go out to the Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze Hazy IPA.

Next on our hit list is Odell Brewing. This grand brewery, to Fort Collins’ north, is an ideal place to settle in for an afternoon session. With live music to accompany our indulgence, we develop a particular taste for the team’s Lagerado and Drumroll beers, the former obviously being a lager that you can enjoy for hours, while the latter is a hazy pale ale that’s ideal for when you want to mix things up.

The final stop on our beer bonanza is on the other side of town. Zwei Brewing Co. Serving up German-syle lagers, Weissbier, and other craft brews in a warm and rustic tap room, made all the better by the presence of a few friendly pooches, we settle in for our final few hours before hitting the hay, enjoying eats from an excellent burger food truck — we’re told there’s a rotating truck schedule here with options that include Italian, schnitzel, taco, sushi, and more.

Steamboat Springs

With a river that runs right through town and a greater share of picturesque spots than is entirely fair to the rest of the charming small towns in the USA, Steamboat Springs looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Even the name sounds like the place belongs in a movie.

Upon arrival, there’s just one thing on our mind, which is an overwhelming urge to make the most of that enticing Yampa River water. Sadly, it’s getting late, so that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Instead, after checking into our bike-in/bike-out digs at Gravity Haus Steamboat, we head to Steamboat Springs’ other iconic natural attraction: Strawberry Hot Springs, a 20-minute drive north from town. This is one of the USA’s most cherished hot springs – and locals love it as much as we do. Located in the middle of Medicine Bow-Routt Forest, we sit in 40-degree water in rock-ringed pools fed by natural hot springs. There are even massage huts beside them, though we don’t have time.

Feeling well rested and with the light fading fast, we head back into town, where our first stop is the Storm Peak Brewing Company. Steamboat Springs’ very own masters in the art of beer offer a delectable selection of beverages within their very welcoming 20-barrel brewhouse. Over the course of a couple of hours, we discover we’re particular fans of the Maestro India Pale Ale, which isn’t messing around with its 7.1% ABV, as well as the more session-ready Urban Sombrero Mexican-Style Lager, which sits at 4.8% ABV.

After sampling a selection of Steam Peak’s wonderful wares, we wander in the vague direction of the river and stumble across the Steamboat Springs’ Cinco De Mayo Restaurant. Tempted by the aromas emanating from inside, we make our way through the door and are presented with some truly out-of-this-world Mexican cuisine. Downing more tacos than is probably polite (the mahi mahi is our favourite) and pairing them with a couple of truly excellent margaritas, we eventually realise we may have overindulged and call it a night.

The following morning, the Yampa River calls! Still full from our feast the night before, we skip breakfast and head down to the water’s edge, where a friendly local directs us to the folks at Blue Sky West Tube Shack. They provide us with everything we need to hit the water: we’re talking tubes, life jackets, dry bags, appropriate footwear, and (perhaps most importantly) a shuttle service to bring us back to town. From there, we spend the next hour or so lazily floating down the river, intercut with brief moments of exhilaration as we encounter miniature rapids.

After catching the shuttle back, soggy but satisfied, our next stop is Pine Moon Fine Art, a downtown gallery that exhibits only Yampa Valley artists (13 of them, to be precise). Boasting both traditional and contemporary works in acrylic, bronze, graphite, oil, paper, photography, ceramics, and watercolour, it’s an illuminating snapshot of the local art landscape. From there, we walk around the corner to check out F.M. Light & Sons, a store that has been outfitting locals in western-style gear for over 115 years. After perusing their impressive selection of boots and Stetson hats, before making a purchase from a wide array of bootcut Levi’s jeans (when in Rome).

Next, we start our evening with an early bite at Blue Sage Pizza, before walking over to the Strings Pavilion to catch some live music. We just so happen to be there on an evening when a collection of superb local classical artists is performing, and it’s hard not to feel moved by the alternately grand and intimate pieces they play for us. This is one of Colorado’s best classical music venues – over 75 Grammy-winning artists have played here, and you have over a dozen chances to see evening concerts from late June to August.

With that, we bid adieu to Steamboat Springs and its many delights and begin our 150-minute drive to Breckenridge.

Breckenridge

Arriving after dark, it’s easy to miss what an out-and-out charmer the penultimate destination on our final, glorious trek through Colorado really is. Having checked into our accommodation at The Lodge, we sleep blissfully unaware of what a lovely spot Breckenridge will turn out to be.

When we arise, we quickly make our way to the historic main street for breakfast. Attractively lined with trees and boasting a wealth of architecture that looks like it has been around for a century or two (the town was established back in 1859), it’s exactly what you want from a small Colorado town. We pop in to see the local coffee roasters at The Crown – there’s no flat whites on the menu, but the lattes are Australia-good and the Cubano latte with cinnamon and sugar is best of all. We also pick up some avocado toast while we’re at it, which is something we Aussies brought to America. They even call it “avo toast” all across the US!

From there, we’re off to see the troll. Yes, Breckenridge has its own troll in the form of Isak Heartstone, an enormous 4.5 m sculpture crafted from recycled wood and other materials courtesy of Danish artist Thomas Dambo. To find Isak, it’s about a 20-minute walk from The Crown, part of which follows the Trollstigen Trail into the woods. Once we reach our destination, there’s a wonderfully eerie atmosphere that surrounds the sculpture. Isak is larger than he sounds, and there’s something intriguingly otherworldly about him. We highly recommend discovering Breckenridge’s troll for yourself.

Next, we head to the Breckenridge Arts District in the heart of town, which contains a network of studios, galleries, performance spaces, and historic landmarks, as well as public art, restaurants, cafes, and other creative outlets. Recently voted as one of the USA’s top arts destinations, it’s a happening place, and it’s a great spot to pick up a made-only-in-Breckenridge souvenir.

At numerous points, said makers extend invitations for us to get involved in their processes as we weave our way from one space to another. From the Ceramic Studio to the glasswork and welding of the Hot Shop, and the painting and printmaking of Randall Barn, to the classes that can be heard inside the Old Masonic Hall, the Arts District is overflowing with passion, talent, and an infectious desire to connect with others.

Impressed by the artistic flair and creative courage of Breckenridge’s residents, we head to the historic Gold Pan Saloon, which has stood for over 140 years. Fortunately, the saloon’s days of hosting gunfights are behind it, although it still has that rustic sense of authenticity, and you feel like a bow-legged cattle rustler could swagger through the door at any moment. That said, it offers a warm atmosphere, good food, live music, and a wide variety of libations. Well fed, we head back to our hotel and pack our belongings in anticipation of our road trip’s final leg once the sun rises.

The next morning, as we head towards Colorado Springs, there’s one stop we’ve been told we should make along the way, particularly seeing as our route down Highway 9 takes us right through it. Like many Aussies, we’re big fans of the animated show South Park, and the town of Fairplay just so happens to be its real-life inspiration. Walking through Fairplay, we find plenty of South Park-related curiosities, along with a fascinating ghost town made up of buildings established in the 1800s. Called South Park City, it’s a museum that takes about an hour to explore and gives you a definitive sense of how tough life was in the years when this region was first established.

Colorado Springs

So, the first leg of our incredible journey through Colorado has come to this. We arrive in Colorado Springs on a clear summer day and check into The Mining Exchange, with its stately facade and blend of modern amenities and early-20th-century style. Once settled, we’re eager to head out to discover the grand behemoth that has come to be known as “America’s Mountain”.

Pikes Peak rises to 4302 m tall and is an extraordinary geographical marvel. An American icon that has inspired generations, even for those who’ve never seen it in the flesh, thanks to Katharine Lee Bates’ “America the Beautiful” (which is America’s unofficial second anthem, and was written by Bates after visiting the peak).

Reaching the summit was once an arduous task, but fortunately, it’s now easier to do so than ever before, and there are numerous ways to go about it: you can hike (a mammoth undertaking, and much respect to those that do so, it’s a 43 km round trip and it’s steep), cycle, catch a shuttle, ride the Cog Railway, or (our choice) drive the 30 km paved road that was constructed in 1915.

Offering an unforgettable scenic drive, we ascend the mountain and catch world-class views of lakes, mountains, wildlife, wildflowers, and—more often than not—a stunning combination of all four along the way. Reaching the summit, Pike’s Peak offers an uninterrupted and almost indescribable outlook to Colorado Springs and its surrounding landscape. Mouths agape, it’s an experience that leaves us speechless. It’s almost religious or hypnotic in nature, and a state that stays with us. We stand at the top of the mountain, drinking in the wonder of all that we can see for at least 90 minutes, but time doesn’t seem to matter up here. “America the Beautiful”, indeed.

There are secrets around the peak, too, if you’re prepared to look. There’s a previously private reservoir on the southern slope of the mountain you can hide away in now, a haunted inn, and even reports of a ghost hitchhiker. See if you can find the hidden grave.

Despite these fascinating diversions, our sense of wonder stays with us for the entire hour-long ride back down the mountain.

Farewell to Colorado’s Majestic Mountains

This sense of awe is one that Colorado has frequently gifted to us throughout the first leg of Man of Many’s Colorado adventure. As we come to its end, it’s impossible not to consider the incredible landscapes, thrilling outdoor adventures, remarkable history, fantastic food, and wonderful people we’ve encountered throughout this journey so far. We can confidently say there’s nowhere quite like it in the world.

Keep an eye out for our next instalment, where we’ll make our way through central Colorado and discover the big thrills and big ideas on offer in this extraordinary place.

Book With Intrepid

If you’d like your own Denver-to-Colorado-Springs adventure, Intrepid has you covered. Simply visit the link below, and you and your mates can soon find yourselves taking in all the wonders of the Rocky Mountains and beyond as you embark on a getaway you’ll never forget.

Giveaway

To assist you on our Colorado boys’ trip, our friends at Osprey are giving away $1,600+ worth of travel gear. Enter below for your chance to win.

WIN! $1,500 Worth of Osprey Gear for Your Next Colorado Boys’ Trip