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June 28, 2006

Hubbards Cave

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. 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 then back up hill. Go straight you will go to hubbards Cave. Not the most technical road but can get nasty when wet. Check out caving manuals for more on the cave.

June 16, 2006

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

You and your family will enjoy spectacular views while riding the Iron Mountain Tramway. Take a guided walking tour of the Glenwood Caverns, Fairy Caves where you will see amazing formations. Play on the new thrill rides – Alpine Coaster, Zip line, Giant Swing and 35-foot climbing wall. Kids can test a variety of interactive learning experiences at Discovery Rock. Exclamation Point Restaurant and Bar serves lunch and dinner in the cozy comfort of a Colorado rustic interior or al fresco on expansive viewing decks. Meeting Rooms are available for your next conference or wedding.

Horseback riding at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has teamed up with Capitol Peak Outfitters to offer horseback riding on Iron Mountain . Experienced guides lead one-hour trail rides on gentle, well-trained horses. Riders enjoy incredible views of Glenwood Canyon , Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork valley as they wind through the trees.
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A fascinating blend of education and entertainment for the entire family, the Cave Tour (formerly known as the Family Tour) is a one-hour guided walking tour suitable for all ages. The caverns are beautifully presented by a state-of-the-art lighting system and all walkways are well maintained with safety hand railings.
On your journey you will voyage into a pristine underground world formed millions of years ago. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you and your family will discover new wonders and learn about the history, geology and legends of Colorado’s recently opened world-class show cave.

Visitors of all ages will be amazed by The Barn and King's Row, gigantic rooms deep within the earth with other-worldly cave formations such as soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites and cave bacon still alive and growing!

The tour is highlighted by a visit to “Exclamation Point”, a cliff side balcony boasting panoramic views of the Glenwood Canyon and the Colorado River. This look at the vast valley and the green and rugged western slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one of the best scenic views available to everyone, not just hikers or skiers.

Because of the stairs and walkways that allow for safe foot travel through the cavern’s natural terrain, we’re unable to allow wheelchairs or strollers into the caverns.
The Cave Tour is approximately .5 mile in length and includes 127 stairs. Due to the elevation (7100’) and slight exertion required, the tour is not recommended for persons who are pregnant or have heart or respiratory problems.

June 15, 2006

Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves

The Yampah Spa Vapor Caves are natural underground hot mineral water steam baths located in the historic hot springs mountain retreat of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hot mineral waters flow through the cave floors at 125 degrees F. to create our natural geothermal steam baths. The Vapor Caves consist of three adjoining underground rock chambers. Visitors descend a stairway inside the main building and pass through a stone corridor into the caves. An atmosphere of well-being pervades throughout the soothing stillness of the caves. Relax on slab marble benches in the rocky alcoves, and inhale the natural steam vapor in the warm, dimly lit cave chambers. Stress and tension melt away effortlessly. Cave temperatures average 110 -112 degrees F., allowing repeated visits of 10 -12 minutes separated by brief rests in a nearby cooling room, or upstairs in the spacious solarium. Cold water and small tubs are also available for cooling off in the caves.

The Ute Indians who originally inhabited this region visited these caves for centuries, and regarded them as a sacred place of healing and rejuvenation. Visitors today still honor that tradition. The Vapor Caves purify body and spirit as they soothe away aches and pains. The Indians had done much to spread the fame of the hot mineral springs as a wonderful healing source. Early settlers used holes scooped into the ground and shielded by pine boughs as their bathtubs, an idea copied from the Indians who brought their sick to the springs for treatment.

These are the only known natural vapor caves in North America ...others are manmade excavations.
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In 2005 we made a long-awaited and fantastic addition to the many day spa services we provide. Our “city water” Jacuzzi baths have been replaced with modern Japanese-style soaking tubs filled with the hot mineral water piped directly out of the caves. Our tubs accommodate individuals or couples. Our customers now enjoy the therapeutic properties of the hot Yampah mineral waters before a massage or body treatment. Bathers are treated to a fresh tub of water in a private room.

June 14, 2006

Hubbard Cave Four-Wheel Drive Road

Hubbard Cave Road takes you to within 1/4 mile of Hubbard Cave. Hike the trail to the cave which has approximately 3,000 feet of passage with a vertical relief of only 50 feet. Geologists think the cave was formed by an explosion caused by a stream derived from groundwater in the lower beds of Leadville Limestone and Dyer Dolomite. The cave is a rectangular network of three parallel passages, each with its own entrance. There are large quantities of cave coral, but it is mostly restricted to the upper level. The Grape Room, deep in the cave has unusual small, rounded botryoid formations. The Gypsum room has a large concentration of gypsum flowers, gypsum blisters, selenite needles and angel's hair. remember, all cave features are protected by law. Help preserve this natural wonder for future generations to enjoy.

Directions from Glenwood Springs: Follow Highway 82 east from Glenwood Springs for three miles. Take a left onto Red Canyon Road (County Road #115). Go 2 1/2 miles and take a left into an open area and past a gravel pit. Travel two miles and take a right on to a rough four-wheel drive road that winds up the hill. CAUTION: this road is impassable when wet! The road is also extremely narrow, with scrub oak hanging into the road which will scratch wider vehicles. After going 4 1/2 miles, there is a parking area with a trail register near the entrance of the cave. There are no facilities at this site.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: April through October (NOTE: Spring rain and Early snow may make this road impassable.) .

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