DENVER TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND YELLOWSTONE AND … · 42 colorado journal 2019 photos by courtesy photos by courtesy from xxxx, to xxxx xxx miles wildlife & natural wonders el paso,

42 COLORADO JOURNAL 2019

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FROM XXXX, TO XXXX

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W I L D L I F E & N AT U R A L W O N D E R S

EL PASO, TEXAS, TO GRAND CANYON AND BACK

1,789 Miles

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Hot springs, bison and bears await on this 1,763-mile adventure.

A VIEW OF THE TETON MOUNTAIN RANGE AND GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK IN WYOMING

W I L D L I F E A N D N A T U R A L

W O N D E R S

D E N V E R T O R O C K Y M O U N TA I N A N D Y E L L O W S T O N E A N D B A C K

CO2019_RoadTrips_WildlifeWonders_PROOF.indd 42 12/10/18 1:25 PM

MYCOLORADOPARKS.COM 43

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KI From alpine lakes and herds of elk

in Rocky Mountain National Park to the granite peaks of Grand Teton National Park and the griz-zlies of Yellowstone, this road trip is

packed with once-in-a-lifetime sights. From Denver, head west to Estes Park, Co-

lo., the closest town to the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend time perusing its local breweries, restaurants, shops and out-door activities. From there, access Rocky's hid-den gems and popular routes, including the leg-endary Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in a U.S. national park.

Cross into Wyoming, exploring Laramie,

Saratoga and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, an extraordinary, less-traveled route that takes you past gorgeous alpine peaks. Continue to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Jackson, Wyo., which is minutes from Grand Teton National Park, makes for a great stop-over. From there head north to Yellowstone Na-tional Park, the world's first national park.

On your way home, head out Yellowstone's East Entrance and experience Native Ameri-can culture in Riverton, Wyo., where you can watch traditional and non-traditional Native American dances. Afterwards, drive to Chey-enne for a dose of outdoor fun and Old West culture.

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44 COLORADO EDITION 2019

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DENVER TO ESTES PARK, COLO.

65 miles, 1 hour and 35 minutes


MELISSA STRONGCo-owner, Bird & Jim, Estes Park’s fi rst farm-to-table restaurant

REALIZED HER DREAM: Opened Bird & Jim in 2017 after working in the restaurant busi-ness and living in Estes Park since 1996. WHY SHE LOVES ESTES PARK: The com-munity. After being severely burned on her hands, this rock climber spent three months in the hospital recovering. “Without my doctors, my husband and the Estes Park community, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Which is back on the rock and greeting guests in her restaurant. FAVORITE DISH AT BIRD & JIM: Lamb Bolognese with lamb from SkyPilot Farm in Longmont, Colo.RECOMMENDS: Hiking to Chasm Lake to watch rock climbers. Bring your binoculars to get a bird’s eye view of the Diamond, the leg-endary face of Longs Peak, the park’s highest mountain at 14,259 feet. FAVORITE PLACE TO BRING OUT-OF-TOWN-ERS: Visit the Aspen and Evergreen Gallery and Earthwood Artisans to see pieces by local and national artists. VOLUNTEERS: In Rocky Mountain National Park as a bouldering steward, joining park climbing rangers to educate people about Leave No Trace principles, access to climbs and so on.

BELLE MORRISRace director, Estes Park MarathonPresident, Estes Park Running Club

REALIZED HER DREAM: Has spent 12 years as race director for Estes Park Marathon, enabling people to challenge themselves and connect with nature while running a spectacu-lar course. WHY SHE LOVES ESTES PARK: “I’ve lived here off and on since I was nine-and-a-half. I love its smallness, its closeness to nature.”FAVORITE TRAIL RUN: A 14-mile run round-trip to Thunder Lake in the Wild Basin area of the park. The parking lot fi lls early, so get there before 9 a.m.RECOMMENDS: Training now for the June 16, 2019, Estes Park Marathon, which also features half-marathon, 10K and 5K courses, plus a kids fun run. RUN WITH THE LOCALS: On Tuesdays, meet at the Stanley Hotel at 5:45 p.m. for a stretch-ing session before the group run starts at 6 p.m. On Thursdays meet at 5:30 p.m. at The Barrel, a brewery at 251 Moraine Ave., and get 10 percent off your pint that night. All are welcome. BEST WAY TO AVOID PARK TRAFFIC: Park in the new downtown parking structure near the Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave. Then take one of the town’s free shuttles into the park.

AMY HAMRICKOwner, Kind Coffee

REALIZED HER DREAM: Started Kind Coffee 17 years ago, blending her love of the out-doors and her commitment to the environment by serving organic, fair-trade coffee, stocking “green” products like compostable cups and giving discounts for reusable mugs. WHY SHE LOVES ESTES PARK: “The short answer is the mountains. I always say I want to live in the mountains, not look at them. But the answer after all these years is the community: both our year-long friends and the millions of people who visit Estes Park and Rocky Moun-tain National Park every year.” FAVORITE COFFEE DRINK: Vanilla latte. Since 1994. RECOMMENDS: Hiking to Gem Lake on Lumpy Ridge. “It’s the perfect place to see the Estes Valley and Continental Divide.” FAVORITE PLACE TO BRING OUT-OF-TOWN-ERS: “From our back door, the Riverwalk extends in both directions." To the west is the heart of downtown. The east leads you past the visitor center to Lake Estes. GIVES BACK: Is a business member of the 1% for the Planet and founding member of the Estes Give Back Program, in which businesses give 1 percent of their sales to Estes Valley nonprofi ts through cash, in-kind services/mer-chandise and volunteer time.

Learn more at VisitEstesPark.com or stop by the Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave.

KIND COFFEEBIRD & JIM ESTES PARK MARATHON

E N T R E P R E N E U R S I N E S T E SThree local women share their favorite spots and why they love their town.


Cheyenne, Wyoming! At the intersection of I-25 and I-80

cheyenne.org 800-426-5009

Cheyenne Frontier Days™ July 19-28, 2019

Hiking, Biking, and Rock Climbing at Vedauwoo

Recreation Area, Medicine Bow National Forest, and

Curt Gowdy State Park

Old West Museum and Store

Historic Cheyenne Depot

Wyoming State Capitol and State Museum

Trail Rides at Terry Bison and Bit-O-Wyo Ranches

Plus There’s So Much More!

VC_ColoradoJrnl2019_full.indd 1 11/9/18 9:43 AMVISIT CHEYENNE_COJ_2019.indd 1 11/14/18 3:03 PM


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ESTES PARK, COLO., TO CHEYENNE, WYO.87 miles and 2 hours


Enjoy authentic cowboy culture, craft beers and the uncrowded outdoors in Cheyenne, Wyo.

“It’s really the best of both worlds,” says Jim Walter of the Visit Cheyenne Convention & Visi-tors Bureau. “You’ve got some great historical re-

sources here, whether it’s trains or the West or carriages or the history of rodeo. But then you’ve got the best of what the West is today — craft breweries, rock climbing, hiking, moun-tain biking.”

Bring your dog [as long as its on leash] to Freedom's Edge Brewing Co. It's family friendly and located at 1509 Pioneer Ave. If you're looking for food with your beer, head to Accom-plice Beer Co. in the historic Cheyenne Depot.

Switch gears and head further west for outdoor activities at Vedauwoo Recreation Area and Curt Gowdy State Park.

“Outdoor enthusiasts come up here and they’re amazed,”

says Darren Rudloff, president and CEO of the visitors bureau. “They love it, simply because you’re not fighting with so ma-ny other climbers and mountain bikers every single weekend.”

For a truly unique experience, spend the day hand-feeding a buffalo herd at Terry Bison Ranch. Then visit Cheyenne Bo-tanic Gardens with award-winning, curated displays of plants, shrubs and trees from around the world in the new Grand Con-servatory. In the evening head downtown for dinner at the Wy-oming Rib & Chop House.

“The [Wyoming Rib & Chop House] is in a historic building with a good menu of steaks, burgers and fish,” Rudloff says. “It feels like Wyoming.”

The Visit Cheyenne Convention & Visitors Bureau is lo-cated in the Depot Square at 121 W. 15th St, suite 202. Learn more at cheyenne.org.

Lasso the FunTerry Bison RanchTake a train through

a bison herd, go on a trail ride and enjoy Wyoming’s best burger at Senator’s Restaurant; 51 I-25 Frontage Rd; terrybisonranch.com.

The Wrangler Breathe in the smell of fresh leather and gear up with authentic cowboy boots, hats and other Western apparel at this

Cheyenne classic; 1518 Capitol Ave.; bootbarn.com

Cheyenne Frontier Days Celebrate western culture at Cheyenne Frontier Days

July 19-28, 2019. See concerts, a carnival as well as team roping, bull riding and more as part of the PRCA wrangler pro-rodeo tour; cfdrodeo.com.

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS RODEO

C A P I TA L A D V E N T U R E SStop in Cheyenne for an old-meets-new West experience.



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MEDICINE BOW NATIONAL FOREST

P O W E R T O T H E P E O P L EIn southern Wyoming, you’ll discover a string of towns that make up Carbon County. They’re woven

together by ranching, coal, oil and a growing wind turbine industry.

SOAK IN HOT SPRINGSIn Saratoga, choose between two different hot springs experiences. The Hobo Hot Springs are free mineral pools and open 24 hours a day. At Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, only guests can access the teepee-covered mineral pools and 70-foot mineral hot spring pool.

DRIVE SCENIC BYWAYSThe 73-mile Seminoe-Alcova Backcountry Byway brings you by a patchwork of prairie country and high desert en route over the

Seminoe Mountains. The south end starts in Sinclair and ends in Alcova about 30 miles southwest of Casper. Or enjoy the solitude you’ll fi nd on the 29-mile Snowy Range Scenic Byway, which travels along Hwy. 130 through the Medicine Bow National Forest.

SPEND THE NIGHT Spend the night at the historic Hotel Wolf and Restaurant in Saratoga, which was built by Frederick Wolf in 1893. Walk through the swinging doors of the saloon to taste a

regional microbrew and the area's best burger.

ENJOY LOCAL FOODHit Lollypops in Saratoga for breakfast or ice cream and to connect to WiFi. For fi ne dining, stop by the Aspen House Restaurant in Rawlins for blackened ribeye or vegetarian dishes. Buck’s Sports Grill and Anong’s Thai Cuisine in Rawlins also are popular.

Learn more about Carbon County at wyomingcarboncounty.com.


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RAWLINS TO JACKSON, WYO.

284 miles, 4 hours and 41 minutes


NORTHEAST ENTRANCEClosest to Cooke City, Mont., and its sister village Silver Gate, this en-trance gives you the best access to Yellowstone's legendary Lamar Valley where grizzlies, black bears, bison and wolves roam. The tiny outpost of Cooke City (year-round population is 100) has a downtown that spans only a few blocks but offers good dining and lodging options. In the sum-mer, travelers can reach Cooke City via the Beartooth Highway or the park. In winter, this entrance is closed and the only way into Cooke City is through Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner, Mont.

NORTH ENTRANCEWant to experience some of the West’s most spectacular scenery in a town that can feel like a cross between Northern Exposure and Animal Planet, given its wild neighbors living up the street in Yellowstone? Head to Gardiner, Mont., just fi ve miles from Yellowstone’s steaming terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the park’s many natural wonders. Sitting at the only year-round entrance to the world’s fi rst national park, pretty much everything in Gardiner is colorful from the scenery and people to the names of dishes on menus, adding a poetic slant to your visit.

EAST ENTRANCEThe closest town to Yellowstone’s East Entrance is Cody, Wyo., 53 miles away. Named after one-time resident and western showman Buffalo Bill Cody, it’s home to a world-class museum complex, an Old West replica town and historic reenactments. There also are lively rodeos, charming

hotels, down-home restaurants and even a zipline that puts you up to 84 feet off the ground. The closest year-round airport to Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone Regional Airport) is here, making Cody an especially convenient launching point for trips to the park.

SOUTH ENTRANCETake one part historic cowboy charm, add a healthy dash of modern glam-our and fi nish with a heaping portion of world-class mountain scenery, and you’ve got Jackson, Wyo.—Yellowstone’s southern gateway town. Situated on the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park and 57 miles from Yellowstone’s South Entrance, Jackson’s (Jackson Hole refers to the en-tire valley) fantastic dining, outdoor scene and cultural attractions make it a great basecamp. It's also home (at least part-time) for a number of famous residents, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and Har-rison Ford.

WEST ENTRANCEThis entrance is the park’s busiest, so it’s no wonder that West Yellowstone, Mont., is a bustling gateway with dining, shopping and attractions for travel-ers. Located just across the Wyoming border in Montana, West Yellowstone is a convenient entrance town for those coming from Idaho or western Montana, especially Missoula. Visitors will fi nd Wild West fl avor, plenty of lodging and a mix of cultural and outdoor activities. Catch a show at the Playmill Theatre or study up for your park trip at Yellowstone IMAX, which shows a rotating series of movies about Yellowstone.

MILLION DOLLAR COWBOY BAR IN JACKSON, WYO.

Y E L L O W S T O N E E N T R A N C E SLocated mainly in northwestern Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park is the world’s fi rst national park. Parts of it also stretch into Idaho and Montana. To access the park, choose between fi ve entrances.


WIND RIVER HOTEL_COJ_2019.indd 1 11/14/18 3:11 PM

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CODY, WYO., TO RIVERTON, WYO. 139 miles, 2 hours and 21 minutes


NATIVE AMERICAN POWOW

Catch a rare glimpse into Northern Arapaho cul-ture in Riverton, Wyo.

Every Tuesday evening in the summer, trav-elers can watch the Northern Arapaho Experi-ence, an hour-long performance that showcases

traditional and non-traditional Native American dances at the Wind River Hotel & Casino.

“You’ll see everyone from a two-year-old to an elder danc-ing,” says Jackie Dorothy, marketing director of the hotel and casino.

The weekly dance performance is just one of a collection of unexpected experiences you’ll have when you stop by or stay at the hotel. Although the Wind River Casino is the larg-est in the state, you’ll � nd much more than gambling here.

A small museum in the lobby, sta� ed by elders, showcases Northern Arapaho history. Three restaurants o� er a variety of food, including the Bu� alo Restaurant that o� ers everything from pizza cooked in a wood-� red oven to BBQ. In addition you can book “Adventure Packages” that involve a hotel stay paired with rafting, gol� ng or a dinosaur dig.

“What we are is a destination,” says Dorothy, noting the hotel and casino have come along way since opening 20 years ago as a bingo hall. “You can stay at our hotel, and it’s just a day trip to Jackson, Cody and Yellowstone National Park.”

Stop by the Wind River Hotel & Casino at 10269 Hwy. 789 in Riverton or go online to windriverhotelcasino.com.

N A T I V E E X P E R I E N C EFrom seeing Native American dances to rolling the dice, there are a number of things to do

at the Wind River Hotel & Casino.



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Learn more at the Larmie Area Visitor Center/Albany County Tourism Board, 210 E. Custer St., in Laramie or at VisitLaramie.org.

JENNIFER SMALLOwner, Golden Prairie Bakery

REALIZED HER DREAM: Opened her bakery in October 2017. “I grew up in a family-owned country inn where my father was an old-school apprentice-trained chef.”WHY SHE LOVES LARAMIE: The small-town feel and the friendly people FAVORITE BAKERY ITEM: “Probably my Chocolate Rum Pecan Pie, but people are crazy about the bear claws, cinnamon rolls, carrot cake and sourdough breads.”FAVORITE THING TO DO IN LARAMIE: “We have seen some great shows at the Gryphon Theatre. It is a very beautiful, small venue.” Less than 1 mile from downtown, the theater is on the north side of the Historic Laramie Plains Civic Center. RECOMMENDS: The Snowy Range to see Medicine Bow Peak, a 12,014-foot peakESSENTIAL INFORMATION: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. “You may stop by during the week while we are producing. We always have items available.” HOW TO GET THERE: The bakery is located off Hwy. 130. Two miles west of the airport, turn on Herrick Lane and take the first dirt road on your right [BWJ Road]. Drive .3 miles until you reach the little red building in the cow pasture.

KARI KILMERManager, Vee Bar Guest Ranch

REALIZED HER DREAM: As the oldest grand-daughter of co-owner Lefty Cole, Kari started working as a wrangler at Vee Bar at age 14. She continued working there in the summer through college as she fell in love with Brent Kilmer whom she met in college. The two have managed Vee Bar since 2006. WHY SHE LOVES LARAMIE: The sports and cultural opportunities offered through Univer-sity of Wyoming, plus the mountains, western culture and heritage. FAVORITE THING TO DO AT THE RANCH: “I am very happy to be raising my kids at the ranch. We go riding, walking, bike riding and more as a family. We also work together. Our kids come to work with us all the time.”RECOMMENDS: Sporting events at the University of WyomingBEST ASPECT OF VEE BAR RANCH: “Vee Bar touches our guests in the most unex-pected ways, whether it is overcoming a fear of riding, spending time together as a family or providing the right dose of adventure and relaxation.” ESSENTIAL INFORMATION: The guest pack-ages are 6-nights, Sunday through Saturday. There are three-night packages available, as well.

REBECCA WALSHOwner, Basecamp outdoor store

REALIZED HER DREAM: Opened Basecamp, an outdoor store in May 2018. “We do more than just sell clothing and gear. It's a place where we have workshops and clinics and start adventures. My ultimate goal is to help people get outdoors and explore.”WHY SHE LOVES LARAMIE: Within a short drive from town, you can hike through the prai-rie, the forest or through a high alpine meadow. FAVORITE HIKING AREAS CLOSE TO LARAMIE: Happy Jack/Tie City trail network and VedauwooRECOMMENDS: Vedauwoo for a picnic and a hike amongst its gigantic boulder formations and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway to hike to the top of Medicine Bow PeakMOST REWARDING ASPECT OF HER WORK: "I love people. I always feel good when someone who might be intimidated by the thought of going backpacking or cross-country skiing for the fi rst time wanders in the store looking for advice and encouragement."WHAT PEOPLE CAN RENT IN THE SUMMER: All things related to camping from tents to wa-ter fi lters, backpacks and sleeping pads. You also can rent stand-up paddle boards.HOW TO GET THERE: Basecamp is located at 222 S. 2nd St. in Laramie.

L O C A L S I N L A R A M I E Here’s where to go and why from these enterprising locals.

REBECCA WALSHJENNIFER SMALL KARI KILMER


ALBANY COUNTY_LARAMIE_COJ_2019.indd 1 11/14/18 2:30 PM

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DENVER TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND YELLOWSTONE AND … · 42 colorado journal 2019 photos by courtesy photos by courtesy from xxxx, to xxxx xxx miles wildlife & natural wonders el paso,