Tanks for the Memories: (Glenwood) Springs Into Action!
- Lindsay Britts
- Oct 26, 2017
- 3 min read
Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say… TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Starting City: Denver, CO
Destination: Glenwood Springs, CO
Distance: about 160 miles
Los Angeles had record-breaking 103 degree heat yesterday, which makes me crave the cool sweater weather that drifts into most of the country’s regions this time of year. The transition from autumn to winter weather means really being aware of your surroundings, from anticipating which jacket will keep you warm on a cold barren day to being aware of the crackling fire in front of you as you sit in contrast to the snowstorms outside. One place in the country to really notice the highs and lows are the Rocky Mountains, where peaks and valleys hide towns that can both embrace or escape the elements. The town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado has many ways to enjoy the landscape and allow you to take in the sights of the majestic mountains.
The area was first utilized by Native Americans of the Ute tribe who named the hot springs that they frequented “Yampah”, meaning “big medicine”. A chief of the tribe, Chief Ouray, tried diplomatically to have settlers and the Ute tribe co-exist in the area, but the Ute were forced violently to move to reservations and the area was settled by whites in the late 1800s. The town was originally named Defiance but was changed soon after founding, and was built quickly into a resort town. The city’s website has an extensive history section that is a journey in itself, so if you’re a history buff you should check it out. The biggest attraction of Glenwood Springs is right in the name. Numerous hot spring resorts are open in the town where people can go to soothe themselves in natural mineral water. The Glenwood Hot Springs has a “big” pool that holds over 1 million gallons that you and your whole family can soak in at the perfect temperature. For more of a resort feel, the Iron Mountain Hot Springs has a bathhouse to relax in as well as a cafe where you can grab refreshments before your next dip. The hot springs here are also ADA accessible. For something a little different, the Yampah Vapor Caves are an Earth-built sauna where you can rest in three steam rooms-- but not for too long, or you’re really have the vapors!
In case you somehow get tired of soaking in the hot springs-- or your fingers and toes reach raisin-stage-- there are many more attractions to explore. To ramp up your excitement, there is Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to explore, with several ride and thrills. They have several seasonal festivals, and it’s no surprise that this month Oktoberfest is in full swing. New this year is the Haunted Mine Drop, where you find yourself in an old mining shaft with ghosts before you drop 100 feet down into Iron Mountain. Rides to launch you up are the zip lines, the giant swing, and the Canyon Flyer, where you’ll soar like an eagle. If you want take a breather and just enjoy the scenery, the Iron Mountain Tramway has gondola-style cars that take you up in the sky to enjoy the view of the city and peaks.
These attractions only scratch the surface of what the city offers. There are guided tours, hiking, fishing, skiing, entertainment venues… Glenwood Springs has even planned out trip ideas for your stay, including a motorcycle ride loop through the western Rockies. Might I add, it has an excellent website with a clean layout and ample information, which I really admire. The landscape may be full of ups and downs, but Glenwood Springs is at the very peak of tourism!
STRETCH YOUR LEGS: Take a quick left in Loveland, CO on Loveland Pass Road, wind your way along, and soon you’ll find a marker for the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide marks the divide where all rivers west of it flow to the Pacific Ocean, and all rivers east flow to the Atlantic. You’ll need to drive a little way up the road to reach it, but it’ll be worth it to take a picture at this cool geologic landmark.
LEARN MORE:
http://www.visitglenwood.com
http://www.cogs.us/
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