This was the first trip that I planned an itineray for each day of the trip to accomplish an ambitios round trip drive from and returning to Denver International Airport. We had 10 days to accomplish this as my sister had to be back on the Monday in time for work.
Because we were heading into popular tourist country we alse felt it would be important to have accomodations pre booked to avoid becoming stranded without a place to stay.
These two factors meant that each day had to be pre planned to allow for driving time as well as all the activities we wanted to do each day.
Follow along on our adventure and see how successful we were!
Day 1
We started our trip on Friday arriving in the Denver Airport at 4 PM. After picking up our rental car we drove west into the mountains and the setting sun to arrive at Indian Hot Springs Resort (302 Soda Creek Road Idaho Springs , Colorado) http://indianhotsprings.com/
We missed the first exit indicated by our GPS but instead to doing a U turn we followed the instructions for a side road that would turn us around to the desired location. In the growing darkness we found ourselves on this narrow gravel road down a steep hill which finally brought us to our destination.
The thermal pools were the entertainment for the evening! Hot mineral springs (104 - 112 degrees), filling several pools, allowed us to soak and relax. This worthwhile destination deserves a stop if you are in the area. Daily recap: flight to Denver
Time: start: 9AM - Toronto
finish: 7PM - Idaho Springs
Drive: 50 miles / 1 hour
Activities: 1 - evening in hot spring
Day 2
Our early morning walk to breakfast allowed us to really appreciate the mountain terrain that we were now exploring.
One of the first things we did was look for the gravel road we traveled on the night before. We were amazed to discover that it was literally carved into the side of the rock face.In the picture the stone wall marks the edge of the road....no shoulder and not barrier!
The resort has this charming historic feeling to it that we were better able to appreciate by daylight. 
Couple this with the spring fed creek and local art and the place has grand atmosphere.
After breakfast we had planned to take a white water rafting adventure on Clear Creek....but we were told that there was too little water in the stream for safe rafting this time of year so we opted for a tame walk along the banks of Clear Creek instead.
The views and the scenery were breath taking.
Here is a view up the stream bed....
...a closed down gold mine
...and fishing in the creek.
We also took note that Idaho Springs City is located at an elevation of 7540 ft
After breakfast we had planned to take a white water rafting adventure on Clear Creek....but we were told that there was too little water in the stream for safe rafting this time of year so we opted for a tame walk along the banks of Clear Creek instead.
The views and the scenery were breath taking.
We also took note that Idaho Springs City is located at an elevation of 7540 ft
Our next stop was a tour of a gold mine and all the history surrounding the gold rush. We chose the Argo Gold Mine and Mill because it was convenient to get to without alot of extra driving. Check their website for great historical information.
http://www.historicargotours.com/
Here is Anita at the entrance to the mine
.... the old essayers offices
....the entrance to the historic Argo tunnel.
....and finally a stop at the exhibit and a try at some panning for gold.
We were able to successfully pan for a few flakes of gold....we would certainly not have gotten rich as we were not very good at it! The hands got cold and the backs got weary! But when we looked up from our determined efforts it was lunch time!
After lunch we started the days drive. The first stretch was to take us from Idaho Springs to Estes Park (about 75 miles). We missed our first cut off but soon got on track heading northward through mountain terrain.
Stretch break at Boulder FallsThe trail to the falls was closed off because too many foolish people were trying to climb the boulders.
So we joined the "law breaker" tourists that were going around the roped off section to walk to the falls. As you can see from the picture it was well worth the effort.
We only had time for a quick roadside stop in Nederland Lake. One of those places where if you had more time.....
We arrived in Estes Park (elevation 7522 ft) just as the skies open up to a down pour of rain! Estes Park is a quaint gateway town as it is close to Rocky Mountain National Park. It provided us with a good coffee break before entering the Park.
The drive through the park on Trail Ridge Road (about 35 miles) is an adventure all by itself. The first part of the journey is all uphill to the summit (elevation 12,183 ft)
for a spectacular view to distant snow covered peaks.....
and rocky mountain tops....
and a view into the valley we just drove out of. There on the side of the mountain you can see the winding road we just ascended.
We were very fortunate that the rain stopped when we reached the roadside oberservation stop. We still had to put on our hats, mittens and warmer jackets for our time here to take in the spectacular views. We did see some chipmunk like creaters scampering in the rocks.
Then the next part of the drive is through alpine region...in this photo you can actually see the rain.
Always in the distance are more snow capped peaks.
Then finally the road winds and descends back down into the valley on the other side.
Here we selected a forest trail for a short hike. We did see some elk or antelope in the distance....but they moved out quickly as soon as they spotted us. 
The change in vegetation from alpine to valley is so incredibly dramatic...
After the hike it was time for the final (20 mile) drive of the day to Granby.
On the way we had the opportunity to see the sun peaking out of the clouds as it set behind the mountain range in the west. This is Lake Grandby as seen from Hwy 34
We arrived at the Frontier Motel at dusk and were surprised to find that we were right beside the railroad tracks. Seems the town of Granby is centred on Hwy 40 and the RR track. As luck would have it....trains ran all night long. (I looked up other accomodations in Granby and they are all along this route....so wherever you decide to stay here you will be hearing trains)
Dinner at the Pearl Dragon Restaurant, 663 W Agate Ave # A. The food was good and they provided ample portions. We left with "take out boxes" for lunch tomorrow.
Daily recap:
Time: start: 7:30 AM - Idaho Springs Co
finish: 7PM - Granby Co
Drive: 150 miles / 3.5 hours
Activities: 1 - walk along Clear Creek
2 - Argo Gold Mine / panning for gold
3 - hike to Boulder Falls
4 - scenic stop Rocky Mountain NP
5 - hike in Rocky Mountain NP
6 - observation stop on Granby Lake
Day 3
Our morning started with a drive from Granby to Steamboat (about 65 miles). It was all through mountains with some very steep hills. this was the first time we experience "run away truck" slopes.
Steamboat Springs is located in the Medicine Bow Mountains and is the location of a gondola ride up Mt Werner. (elevation of at the base 6900 ft)
Even though the weather was overcast we enjoyed our ride up the mountain and were greated to sunny skies at the top of the ride (elevation 9100 ft)
From here we went on a hike up Chisholm trail...... 
and the Storm Peak challenge which brought us to elevation 10,568ft)
flowers by the trail.....
...and alpines
To come back down the mountain we followed Pete's Wicked trail to Kathy's Cutoff
It started to rain on this section of the trail and the "horn" told us that the gondola was halted until the storm passed.
In rain gear we followed Sunshine trail to get back to the gondola just as the rain stopped and the gondola ride started up. We got down the mountain before the next downpour and the gondolas were halted once again.
We had a picknic lunch of our left overs from last nights Chinese dinner and then we did the long drive to get around the Medicine Bow Mountains as there was no route through this range. It was a rather lengthy drive (about 120 miles) to Saratoga.
Along this stretch of the road we crossed into Wyoming. One of our rest stops was at a roadside scenic turn out to see the Historic Battle Mountain.Saratoga Wy. was our destination because of the "hot springs and pools". They are located in the Saratoga City Park behind the Public swimming pool (Walnut St). There are no signs to indicate they are here....you have to know you are looking for them to find them....a really well kept secret!
We shared the rustic spring fed pools with local residents and one other group of tourists. The waters were incredibly hot...to the point where is was more comfortable to sit where the hot spring water flowed into the North Platte River. Here the mixing of hot and cold made for a pleasant relaxing interlude.
We shared the rustic spring fed pools with local residents and one other group of tourists. The waters were incredibly hot...to the point where is was more comfortable to sit where the hot spring water flowed into the North Platte River. Here the mixing of hot and cold made for a pleasant relaxing interlude.Our final drive for the day took us into Rawlins where we had accomodations booked at the Hampton Inn.
After dinner I spent the sunset hour in the pool swimming laps and watching the sun go down. What a wonderful way to end the day.
Daily recap:
Time: start: 7:30 AM - Granby Co
finish: 7PM - Rawlins Wy
Drive: 220 miles / 4 hours
Activities: 1 - gongola up Mt Werner
2 - hiking on Mt Werner
3 - relax in the Saratogo Hot Springs
4 - evening swim in Pool
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