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5 days of High Country Happiness

5 days of High Country Happiness

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1

Wake bright and early to enjoy the gorgeous drive to Leadville, CO – Colorado’s highest incorporated city!

Upon arriving in Leadville, grab a slice at High Mountain Pies where you can enjoy authentic Colorado toppings like braised pork and green chiles. Start your mountain adventure after lunch with an easy-going-get-used-to-the altitude hike on the Mineral Belt Trail where you’ll find a pristine mountain lake and lots of info on the rich history of Leadville. After your hike, check into your quintessential Colorado lodging at Buckeye’s Cabins.

Dinner at Treeline Kitchen is a MUST! Fresh, Colorado fare with the epic views of the state’s highest peaks from the rooftop patio! Afterwards, grab an after-dinner drink at the bar where Doc Holliday used to frequent, The Silver Dollar Saloon, for an authentic taste of the ‘Old West’

Day 2

Day 2

City on a Hill is a mountain and coffee lover’s paradise! Located on Main St. in Leadville, you’ll find friendly faces as well as quiche and baked goods (including Vegan and Gluten Free) to die for! And of course, a warm cup of Colorado joe to start your day.

After a leisurely breakfast, start making your way down to Buena Vista – about 30 minutes by car through the Sawatch Range, passing tons of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks. Once in Buena Vista, grab your fishing license at our local True Value and some healthy, delicious picnic food from The Lettucehead and then head up to Cottonwood Lake for some fun fishing! You’ll love this crystal clear lake with plenty of views and rainbow trout!

Happy Hour cocktails at Wesley & Rose, the lobby bar at the gorgeous Surf Hotel (your luxe lodging for the next two nights) await you! Ask for the Wizard’s Trick – you won’t regret it! Unpack your bags and then you’ll head up for dinner at The Lariat tonight – great eats, libations and mountain made music! A guaranteed yummy meal and fun entertainment.

Day 3

Day 3

Up early to get to The Roastery. Probably one of our favorite coffee shops in the world. The coffee is fantastic and the baked goods are SOOO good. Always a little line. Never disappointing. After coffee, meet at American Adventure Expeditions @ 9:15 a.m. sharp for your Browns Canyon Full Day Rafting Trip.

Enjoy unforgettable whitewater adventure through the country’s ONLY National Monument that you can raft through. Incredible views, exciting Class II and III rapids, and a fresh and flavorful riverside lunch prepared by your guides – a truly epic Colorado day!

After a full day of rafting you’ll be ready for a handcrafted cocktail from our local whiskey distillery, The Deerhammer! And you’ve no doubt worked up an appetite so, lucky for you, the Buena Viking Food Truck shares the same outdoor patio as The Deerhammer! Pro tip: while you’re enjoying your Colorado libations, have one person in your party wait in line at the food truck to put in your order for (no joke!) one of the best burgers (veggie or otherwise) that you’ll EVER have!

Day 4

Day 4

Try a house-made Smoothie Bowl or flavorful Bagel Sandwich made on bagels from the Bronx at The Blend – a fresh little cafe on East Main Street in Buena Vista.

Today is your day to relax from all that adventure-ing! Soak up the sun and detoxifying mineral waters at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. With large kid-friendly pools (complete with 400′ water slide!) or more intimate creekside soaking there is a place to relax and enjoy for everyone.

After a long day unwinding at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, take a quick drive down to Salida, CO (one of Vogue’s 9 U.S. Destinations to Visit in 2018). Head straight to Amica’s for authentic Colorado microbrews and the wood-fired pizza of your dreams! You’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep at tonight’s digs – The Amigo Lodge – a boutique hotel with modern Colorado charm.

Day 5

Day 5

A simple, fresh, perfect breakfast awaits you at Cafe Dawn. Grab a freshly roasted cup of coffee and one of their signature Morning Glory Muffins and get ready for your off-roading adventure!

The paths are long, windy, and FUN in your ATV! Cruise and climb through some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado and get your heart pumping around some of these bends. A truly unforgettable way to end your Arkansas River Valley Adventure!

A trip to the Salida wouldn’t be the same without a meal at The Boathouse Cantina. Get the Tacos al Pastor – a local’s favorite! And then it’s probably time to hit the road back home. We hope to see you back again for more adventure in the near future – there are plenty more adventures to be had – climb a 14er, try the Adventure Aerial Park, take a mountain horseback ride, and much more!!

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