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Plan An Adventure Sampler

April 11, 2021

Spring is coming soon to the top of the Rockies. Plan your own adventure sampler for a late spring or early summer getaway to Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Choose from these great options, for a trip you’ll treasure forever! (: Bike Leadville by @gilly.swimbikerun)

 

GO FISHING

Catch the fish you wish in Gold Medal Trout Waters. Just outside Leadville, you have easy access to some of Colorado’s best fishing, in the headwaters of the Arkansas River, known for its abundance of wild trout ranging up to 17” long. Or drop your line in high alpine lakes and giant glacial lakes Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes.

 

RAFT THE ARKANSAS

Just downstream from Leadville is some of the country’s best whitewater. Experience the melt firsthand on a rollicking rafting trip! For a two-in-one adventure day, combine rafting with a scenic train journey on the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad.

 

ROW YOUR BOAT

Rent an SUP, kayak, or canoe to cross Turquoise Lake or Twin Lakes. : @packraftnation / Instagram

 

ZIPLINE

The Top of the Rockies Zipline gives you wings! Or at least the chance to soar above the trees as high as 11,200’, looking out to the tallest and most majestic peaks in Colorado. A special package lets you zipline and ride the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad’s scenic train on the same day!

 

BIKE

On the roads or the trails, biking near Leadville and Twin Lakes offers spectacular scenery and, at 10,152’, as much (or as little) challenge as you like.

 

Road Bike: Bringing the family? Try the Mineral Belt Trail, a paved 12-mile loop around town that transitions from a groomed winter fat biking trail to summer status mid-to late spring. Want a challenge? Ride the steep highways over Fremont Pass (open now) or Independence Pass (usually opens by Memorial Day weekend).

 

Mountain Bike: Come late spring to find flowy singletrack on the Timberline Trails or new Turquoise Lake trails. Explore the East Side Mining District roads for great mountain views and remains of the area’s rich mining history. These trails usually switch from groomed winter fat biking trails to dirt trails late spring. : @parispirate / Instagram

 

HIKE

Choose from many hiking trails. For a family-oriented adventure trip, trek to Interlaken, a ghost resort on the far shore of Twin Lakes. Or hike the nature trail at the Leadville National Fish Hatchery, then gawk at tanks full of fish.

For a lung-busting day with jaw-dropping scenery, climb a 14erMt. Elbert (14,433’) is Colorado’s highest peak. Mt. Massive is the second-highest at 14,421’. Other area 14ers include La Plata and Mt. of the Holy Cross.

 

Please plan ahead! Make sure you review important safety and comfort info while planning and going on your hike. : @whitecollarrunner / Instagram

 

GOLF

Your golf ball flies farther at altitude! Visit Mt. Massive Golf Course, the highest in North America, for a successful and very scenic game.

 

RENT AN ATV

Tour Leadville’s East Side Mining District roads with an ATV rental or tour, and you can check out our historic mining structures firsthand!

 

RIDE A HORSE

With Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting, you can ride horseback for the day or take an overnight camp trip.

 

FLY

Have your own plane? Fly into the Leadville-Lake County airport, North America’s highest, for a special thrill and a big check on your bucket list. : @flywithyna / Instagram

 

LEAVE NO TRACE

Get ready to enjoy all the majestic natural beauty that Leadville and Twin Lakes have to offer! But first, check out these 7 Leave No Trace principles to learn how to care for Colorado!

 

(: Bike Leadville by @gilly.swimbikerun / Instagram)

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A man fishing from a paddleboard on a beautiful day at Twin Lakes