Colorado has options for 3-day weekend warriors

Shhh. Don’t let the secret out. Many people from out-of-state think the best time of year to take a vacation in Colorado is the height of the ski season. They’re wrong.
But don’t tell them what they’re missing, such as the cool mountain weather while temperatures on the Front Range sizzle into the 90s in June, July and August. Don’t spill the beans about the meadows that bloom with orange Indian paintbrush and periwinkle columbines against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks. And please don’t talk about the great hotel deals or the diminished crowds, especially before the Fourth of July.
With a little planning and an adventurous spirit, you can have a memorable summer getaway close to home. Here are some three-day getaways to a few of Colorado’s most popular destinations.

Aspen not all about glitz
Most Colorado natives associate Aspen with high prices and Hollywood stars. But don’t let Aspen’s reputation blind you to its charm.
For an affordable getaway, stay in Snowmass, about 10 miles north of Aspen on Highway 82. Summer rates are as low as $70 a night on weekdays at the SilverTree Hotel in Snowmass Village.
To get to Aspen, take the more adventurous route west on Interstate 70, south on Highway 91 through Leadville, then west on Highway 82 over Independence Pass. The scenery is breathtaking, and you can stop in two interesting places along the way – Leadville, an old mining town, and the ghost town of Independence.
Day one
? Ride the Silver Queen Gondola up to the 11,212-foot mountain summit, take in the panoramic views of Aspen and the Elk Mountain Range, and dine at the Sundeck restaurant or hike.
? Stroll through town, check out the shops and grab a bite to eat in one of Aspen’s many restaurants.
Day two
? A trip to Aspen would be wasted without seeing the Maroon Bells. Between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the summer, the road to one of Colorado’s most-photographed places is open only to a tourist shuttle bus. Before 8:30, you can drive your car to the Maroon Bells parking lot and stay as long as you want. Early morning is the best time for photographs. Pack a blanket and breakfast and enjoy the view from the base of the mountains. Then hike past the lake into the wilderness.
? Drive up Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft, an old mining town restored as a museum.
? For a special night out, go to the Crystal Palace, a dinner theater in Aspen that features cabaret performances of political satire. Call (970) 925-1455 for reservations.
Day three
? Venture northwest of Aspen on Highway 82 to Carbondale, then head south on 133 to Redstone. It’s famous for the Redstone Castle, former home of coal baron John Cleveland Osgood.
? Marble, population 50, is worth the trip to see the Colorado Yule Marble Quarry. Drive to the south part of town, cross the Crystal River and follow the dirt road up the hill. You’ll eventually have to park and hike to the quarry entrance along the Crystal River, where large chunks of white marble spill down the riverbed and hillsides.
? A short drive beyond Marble is the Crystal Mill, another of Colorado’s most photographed places. The road is too rocky to drive in anything but a four-wheel drive. It’s a moderate hike along the Crystal River. The best time to photograph the mill is late afternoon.
For more information visit www.aspenchamber.org or call (970) 925-1940. For lodging, go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com or call 1-888-452-2409.

Winter Park = summer fun
One of the closest ski resorts to Colorado’s Front Range, Winter Park is a great place to play in the summertime. To get there, take I-70 west from Denver, then head west on Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass.
Day one
? The Winter Park Ski Resort base offers a whole day of fun. The Alpine Slide descends 3,030 feet through 26 turns. Or take the Zephyr chairlift to the summit of Winter Park and have lunch at the Lodge at Sunspot. If you’re up for a real adventure, rent a bike at the base of the mountain, take it up the chairlift and ride down the mountain.
n Browse through the shops of downtown Winter Park and find a place to eat dinner.
Day two
? Drive west on Highway 40 from Winter Park through the town of Granby to the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The west side has hiking trails, historical sites, campgrounds and a visitor’s center.
Hang out in Grand Lake. The lake in the middle of town is the headwaters of the Colorado River. Ride a paddleboat on the lake or stroll through town.
Day three
? Go to the Hot Sulfur Springs Resort and Spa, 30 minutes west of Winter Park. Here, more than 200,000 gallons of natural hot mineral-rich water flow through 21 mineral pools and baths. Cost is $16.50 for adults and $11.50 for children ages 6-15. Spa treatments, including massages, body treatments and facials, are also available for an additional cost. Call 1-800-510-6235 for reservations.
? Other activities include golfing at one of four scenic courses in Grand County, rafting along the Colorado River and horseback riding.
For more information visit www.playwinterpark.com or call (970) 726-4118. For lodging, go to www.winterpark-reservations.com or call (970) 726-5346.

Colorado Springs offers variety
About 130 miles south of Fort Collins on Interstate 25, Colorado Springs can be a tourist mecca in the summertime. Colorado’s second largest city has plenty of tourist traps to avoid, but it can also be a fun place to visit.
Day one
? Eat breakfast at Marigold Café and Bakery, 4605 Centennial Blvd. Then drive south on Garden of the Gods Road to Garden of the Gods, 1,340 acres of trails and sandstone rock formations. Early in the day, you’ll beat the crowds.
? Next door to Garden of the Gods to the north is Glen Eyrie, a conference center owned By The Navigators, an international Christian organization. Formerly the home off Colorado Springs founder General William Jackson Palmer, Glen Eyrie offers afternoon teas and tours of the castle home that Palmer built. Reservations are required for teas. Call (800) 944-4536.
Day two
? Head west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24 to Woodland Park and Cripple Creek. For a true tourist experience, take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak or drive up the 14,110-foot mountain.
? South on Highway 67 from Woodland Park is Cripple Creek, one of the state’s three gambling towns. The drive along Highway 67 is worth the journey, especially when the aspen trees change in the fall. The Cripple Creek/Victor Railroad is fun for kids and gives a history lesson about the former mining area.
Day three
? Spend the morning in Old Colorado City. Have lunch at La Baguette, a French café and bakery — the French onion soup is the best. Top it off with an ice cream cone at the Old Colorado City Creamery.
? Go on a hike in Cheyenne Canyon, southwest of the city. Trail heads are clearly marked along the side of the road. The best hike is to Helen Hunt Falls.
? Stroll around the Broadmoor, one of Colorado’s famous upscale hotels on Colorado Springs’ south side.
For more information visit www.ExperienceColoradoSprings.com, www.Pikes-Peak.com or call (719) 635-7506.

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