Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

Many of towns across the west have their claim to Doc Holiday, and Glenwood Springs Colorado is one of them. Born August 14, 1851 in Griffin, Georgia, John Henry Holliday was born to Henry Burroughs and Alice Jane Holliday. His mother died when John was 15 years old. He enrolled in dental school in 1870 and attended his first lecture session in 1870-1872. He served his required two years apprenticeship under Dr. L.F. Frank. Soon after starting business John was diagnosed with tuberculosis with only months to live and was told he could live a little longer if he moved to a drier climate. John began heading west trying to work but playing poker mostly. After multiple altercations in which rumors say 7 men were killed Holiday, headed to Apache Country, Colorado ahead of the Army and the law dealing Faro along the way. Doc met Wyatt Earp in Fort Griffin Texas and headed to Dodge City after learning Wyatt was the Sheriff there. Both benefitted by this friendship as Doc saved Wyatt when he was outnumbered one night. Also participated in the famous "Gunfight at the OK Coral". The history of doc is well documented More on Doc Holiday. Doc ended moving to Glenwood Springs when his health began to deteriorate for the Hot Sulphur Springs hoping they might revive him. He ended up dying on November 8, 1887 in the Glenwood Hotel after 57 days in bed. With all his efforts to die quickly, John Holiday died in bed with his boots off. Glenwood Springs has the tombstone of John "Doc" Holiday at the Linwood (Old Hill) cemetary. There are many rumors that float around about where his true remains lie. WIth erosion some feel his bones have moved downhill, some say his body was stolen from it's resting place by enemys, and there is a thought that maybe his body never got to it's resting place, as bodies were stored at the bottom of the hill in the winter, where animals may have had access for foraging, until springtime when the road was accessible. What is known is that 4 bartenders pitched in 50 cents apiece to pay for a paupers funeral and resting place. The Linwood Cemetary is a short hike off of Bennett Ave. 20 Minutes to the resting place of Doc Holiday.
"He was the most skillful gambler, and the nerviest, fastest, deadliest man with a six-gun I ever saw."
This was the tribute paid to Doc Holliday by Wyatt Earp.

Posted by Brett at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Storm King Memorial Trail is in honor of 14 Firefighters who died in 1994 while battling the Storm King Fire. This is a steep 1.3 mile hike and very dry. Bring water, sunscreen, and proper hiking boots. This trail is interesting in the fact that crosses mark where each firefighter fell. With a little understanding of fire, history and the seeing steepness of the terrain, one may gain a renewed respect of the speed at which fire can travel, especially uphill. There is another memorial in Glenwood Springs at Two Rivers Park in honor of these firefighters. To get to the trailhead travel west on I-70 and get off at the Canyon Creek exit. Take 2 rights until you are traveling east on the frontage road north of I-70. The parking lot for the trail will be at the end of the road.

Posted by Brett at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bear Creek is often thought of as one of the best singletracks in Colorado. It is built on an abandoned irrigation ditch, so it is level (once you get there) and travels around the rim of the west end of Glenwood Canyon. This is an 18 mile loop from town, will climb 2000 ft., and will take you through tall pine forests. 8 miles uphill, 9 miles level singletrack, and 2 miles technical downhill on Scout Trail. This is mostly ridden in a clockwise fashion. Go south out of Glenwood and turn left on County Road 115, Red Canyon. This will be a dirt raod that turns to chip and seal further up. You can access this by riding south on the River Bike Trail and then following old Highway 82. When the road flattens out on Spring Valley, stay to the left and then take County Road 120 to the left. Head uphill until you reach the parking lot on the right, 1.5 miles. There are some shortcuts here, you will get where you need as long as you head uphill. Take either of the dirt roads at the back of the parking lot and stay to the right. This is the trail to Hubbards Cave. This is a dirt 4-wheel drive road and is maintained by the local 4 wheel drive club, garbage pick-up? The road will be up and down but basically still going uphill until you hit the gate at the top of the hill. Head downhill and take the left as soon as the road starts back up hill. (If you go straight you will go to hubbards Cave.) The trail now is and old road that is grown over and trees have fallen over, there are some forks to the left but stay on the main road. You will come to a big Grove of Aspen trees with a spring to your right, look for the watercress. After this, within 200 yards look for thesingletrack taking off up and to the left. Voila, Just stay on the single track. When you break out above Glenwood Springs you will intersect Scout Trail, downhill will take you to town and the top of 8th street. Technical downhill. This is a popular trail for hikers and bikers and dogs. Please be alert and let hikers know you are coming.Photo Tour

Posted by Brett at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Status of this trail system is pending the sale of this Ranch.

Posted by Brett at 06:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is Americas most popular trail. It will take you 2.3 miles up the walls of Glenwood Canyon crossing the creek many times. This is a steep hike but for those who make it they will be rewarded with the view of Hanging Lake. A crystal blue lake that hangs on a ledge of the canyon. Take a little extra time to see spouting rock above the lake, the trail forks before you get to the lake. There are dangerous parts on this trail like the last steps up to the lake. This trail is heavily used so stay on the trails and no dogs. No cigarette butts either please. Get off at the Hanging Lake exit in Glenwood Canyon. This can only be done eastbound so west bound traffic will have to go to Grizzly Creek and turn around. Parking can be scarce on summer afternoons. A good day is to ride a bike out from Glenwood and then hike the trail.
Coffee Pot Springs Trail forks off of this trail and will take you to the Flattops, this is a long hike.

Posted by Brett at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is also called the Jeanne Golay trail in honor of Glenwoods' Olympic Cyclist. This is 3 miles all gradual uphill, maintained dirt road ending at the cross. This is the hill where Glenwoods first ski area was located and you are basically going up the old service road. Then when they decided they needed more snow they moved it higher on the mountain, before creating Sunlight Ski area. You can still see the remnants of the old ski lift. The switchbacks offer beautiful views of Glenwood Springs and the Raoring Fork Valley. For good riders you can follow the single track down the ridge of the mountain. Look for the signs. This is a tight single track and is difficult to clean it. Red Mountain is popular with hikers and dogs. To cet here cross the Roaring Fork on 8th Street Bridge and turn right at the light. Then take your first left and then veer to the right uphill at the next right and go around the gate. A lot of early summer bear encounters and minor car traffic as Adventure Paragliding Uses this as their base.

Posted by Brett at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Boy Scout Trail is a challenging singletrack downhill and an aggresive short uphill for mountain bikers. This trail switchbacks up and on the rim of Glenwood Canyon. The first half of Scout Trail is 2 miles and will end where Bear Creek Trail comes in. At this point there is another 2 miles that will take you to the top of Lookout Mountain or down. The Top of the tram looks down and accross on Scout Trail. With the sidehills that this trail crosses, it will take some nerve on the downhill. There are places that look over Glenwood Canyon and if you think there is a drop off, there probably is. Some people ride up but this is used more as a downhill from the popular Lookout mountain Rides and Bear Creek-Forest Hollow. This is a popular hiking trail so be aware and let hikers know you are coming and watch for dogs. The view of Glenwood is dramatic as you will look over the Hotel Colorado and the Hot Springs Pool. Start/Finish is at the top of 8th street on the north side.

Highlights: A hair-raising singletrack descent with great views to the city and Glenwood Canyon.

Posted by Brett at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)