 | Take time to reflect at Rocky Mountain National Park | | | | | I have three favorite things about Colorado. The first is the wildflowers: tiny gems of color that blossom from the mosses and scree that make up the mountainside. They're inspiring, really, both delicate and tenacious, with a gentle-yet-defiant beauty, blooming in changing conditions and rocky terrain. | The second is the Aspen trees. Among the largest living organisms on the planet, Aspen groves are really a single colony with thousands of trunks and millions of leaves. If you ever have a chance to sit quietly in a grove of aspen, do it – the unique shape of their leaves causes them to tremble in the breeze. | Finally, there is nothing like a fresh layer of snow after sunrise. The snow sparkles like it's been dusted with flecks of diamonds, and although the air is cold enough to flush my cheeks, the sun's rays provide a warming embrace. | So I was psyched to chat with Gabriel Rovick, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, about our mutual passion for all things Colorado. Gabriel is a Breckenridge-born adventurer whose love of the outdoors and obsession with the Centennial State is unmatched, except maybe by my own. Read on for his expert recommendations and select tidbits from our conversation. | | | | | Digital editor, Lonely Planet | | | | | Take note of Gabriel's insider tips and suggestions to max out on Colorado's seemingly endless outdoor offerings. | | Wander among the wildflowers on a day hike | | | | | | | Pack a puffer. Everyone wears their puffy coats all year round. They are the best for cool nights in the summer and keeping you warm in the winter. | | | | | Rent gear when you arrive. There are easy-to-access places like Vital Outdoors. Or you can try a membership with local outfitter Haus Quiver to borrow equipment. | | | | | You don't need high-tech hiking boots. If you're trying to keep it light, a really good pair of running shoes will do, especially if you're not carrying heavy packs and just taking day hikes. | | | | | Find adventure wherever you are. Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Go mountain biking in Crested Butte. Play on the river near Buena Vista. Ski Telluride. Cross-country ski in Steamboat. | | | | | Hit a hot spring. There's one at Avalanche Ranch next to a river. You can hang out there and get your zen moment in. | | | | | Stay hydrated and don't rush. Water will help with the altitude. And go slow. There is no race to the top. Just enjoy it. | | | Hot springs: so hot right now | | Two of Colorado's best hot springs: Conundrum and Strawberry Park | | | | | Colorado's national parks | With spectacular views, diverse wildlife, geological marvels and echoes of ancient civilizations, Colorado's national parks are true gems, every one well worth a visit. | | | Gabriel and I talked about all the things he loves about Colorado: the small mountain towns, the endless hiking trails and the burgeoning art scene. | | | | Crush the Rockies on a mountain bike | | | | | Would you share a bit about your background? | I grew up in the mountains, near the resort town of Breckenridge. I'm an outdoor enthusiast and own a marketing and production company that specializes in a lot of outdoor work. We also work with nonprofits and have a slew of corporate clients, but we're really into travel destinations and outdoor companies. I'm married, and we have a baby girl on the way. | | | What is it that makes Colorado so special? | I mean it is one of the best geographical and outdoor states, from the mountains to the rivers and the desert landscapes. The rural towns seem super sophisticated, and the cities are thriving. There is a great food scene and art scene. The entertainment is great – we have some of the best music venues in the world. | | | | | Don't miss Telluride for big festivals in the summer and big ski runs in the winter. | | | What's happening in the Colorado art world? | The center of the art scene is RiNo, the River North Art District in Denver, which is great. There are murals all over, it's very colorful and there is always someone painting something new. We had our offices there for 12 years, but decided we wanted to be closer to the mountains. There are art galleries in RiNo, but honestly, I'm seeing the art scene grow into smaller towns as well. Big-name artists have galleries or are showing in towns like Breckenridge, Aspen and Crested Butte. | | | What are the best outdoor experiences to be had in Colorado? | | | | | "Come to Colorado in the fall. The weather is great and the landscape and colors are just unbelievable." | | | What are those small towns like? | My favorites are outside traditional resort towns. For example, Aspen is great, but Carbondale and Redstone are in the same valley and have so much community involvement, robust local businesses and a real dedication to this outdoor lifestyle. | | | What's the best way to see Colorado? | By car. You definitely need a car. There are a lot of people doing van rentals right now, but a car and a tent work great. There is something really special about sleeping under the stars in Colorado. The weather is usually really good, and there are so many places to camp. | | | | | You can skip Breckenridge and go to Frisco instead. But make a trip to Rootstalk for dinner if you're in the area. | | | What's the most epic adventure in Colorado? | Floating the Gunnison Gorge. You can hire a mule to carry all your equipment, or you can carry it on your back. You need a packraft [a collapsible raft that can fit in a backpack]. Once you get down, you can only spend two nights on the river in the gorge, but it's extremely isolated and one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. | | | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
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