Linnea & Andrew
Things To Do
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
This massive field of sand dunes with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as their backdrop is located just shy of two hours to the south of Buena Vista. If you have the time it is well worth the trip to see this geological oddity in the middle of the Rockies.
Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park
If you're heading to the sand dunes, it's not a bad idea to stop off at the hot springs pool in Hooper, not too far from the national park. There's a large outdoor pool fed from hot springs, and several pools of varying temperature in a greenhouse in the 21 and over area, where they have a fully stocked bar for your enjoyment.
Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting
This is the rafting company where Linnea worked for several years, and they offer a variety of trips in the Arkansas River Valley that are a blast. These trips aren't limited to whitewater rafting; they'll take you rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, etc. They offer family friendly trips, as well as trips with a little more excitement.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
The Mt. Princeton Hot Springs are conveniently located right between the ceremony and reception venues. There are multiple pools as well as the option to sit right in the river where the hot springs feed into the flow.
Hiking of all Kinds
There is hiking everywhere up here! Whether you want to stroll alongside the river for a half a mile, hike to an alpine lake, see some waterfalls, or climb a 14,000 foot peak, there is a hiking trail that will provide great views and a nice escape from civilization. One of our favorites in this area is Brown's Creek Falls, located near the ceremony site. If you want advice on where to go, get a hold of either one of us and we'll point you in the right direction!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
This national park is a little further away, about a three hour drive, but it's incredible. The "Painted Wall", seen in the image above, is a 2,250 foot high cliff with some astounding geology across its face. While the hikes down into the canyon are treacherous and require permits and a good deal of experience to navigate, the north and south rims of the canyon offer nice walks/hikes and breathtaking views.
Leadville
Leadville is where we met; the town itself is perhaps a little, uh, shabby, but the surroundings are beautiful. There are a lot of hikes to small alpine lakes, and a couple of easier 14er routes that will take you to the summit of Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado (and second highest in the lower 48). If you decide you want to check out Leadville and need some suggestions on things to do, just let us know!