Colorado Multi-Sport
Colorado Multi-Sport
The Quintessential Inn-to-Inn, Hiking, Mountain Biking, and Whitewater Rafting Colorado Adventure
Colorado has so many exciting outdoor experiences and this tour combines some of the Rockies' most unique and thrilling adventures. In just a few days, we'll hike through meadows of wildflowers, bicycle quiet, little-known backroads, and raft exhilarating whitewater. Whether you are seeking diversity in your summer holiday or just want to do it all, the Colorado Multi-Sport is your ticket to a fun-filled outdoor adventure. With each day's activity changing, this variety-packed getaway is ideal for friends and families with varied interests.
This tour combines hikes of 6-9 miles in length with bike rides of 15-25 miles. Although this tour is set among North America's highest concentration of 14,000' peaks, the routes we have chosen are generally downhill or rolling and avoid long uphill grades. For the more adventurous, more challenging hiking and biking options are available. No prior experience is necessary; just bring a brimming smile and an appetite for adventure! Our guides' relaxed and supportive approach to learning assure you a fun and exhilarating week.
Family Camping Highlights: Exciting days, campfire nights, and heaps of fun keynote this unique World Outdoors getaway perfectly suited to families looking to pursue varied interests while experiencing the magic of the Rocky Mountains. As with all of our tours, we cater to varying interests, abilities and different ages between family members. Five nights are spent camped under the stars with views of the Milky Way.
Day 1. Hiking Vail Mountain, Tivoli Inn (800-451-4756 / 970-476-5615 / private baths)
Our group assembles in the sitting room of the Tivoli Inn at 12:30 p.m. in the heart of Vail Village. After a short orientation, we ride Vail's gondola for a hike amid meadows of wildflowers and forests of aspen. We will walk to our restaurant through narrow streets reminiscent of a quaint European village.
- Vail Mountain Trail [3.5 to 4.5 miles, 700' elevation gain/loss]
- Easy Option [1 mile level hike from one gondola to the other]
Day 2. Hiking the Colorado Trail, Leadville Country Inn (800-748-2354 / 719-486-2354 / private baths)
We lace up our boots for a hike on a portion of the 490-mile Colorado Trail that stretches from Denver to Durango in the southwest corner of the state. Midday we enjoy a picnic set beneath the craggy Galena Peaks. The grades along the trail are moderate as we begin hiking quite high. We end our hike at Uncle Bud's hut, one of the Tenth Mountain Trail huts nestled in the high country.
Evening is enjoyed in Leadville, once one of Colorado's most fervent mining towns. Relive the days of the Old West with a walk down Leadville's boardwalk past turn-of-the-century hotels and saloons. For the next two nights we stay at the Leadville Country Inn, an exquisite 1893 Queen Anne Victorian Bed & Breakfast with garden gazebo and hot tub, or the historic Delaware Hotel, built in 1886 and furnished with period antiques.
- Colorado Trail [8 miles, approx. 1300' elevation gain and 300' elevation loss]
Day 3. Rafting the Arkansas River, Leadville Country Inn
Our Colorado medley moves to the Arkansas River for a thrilling rapid-filled day rafting Browns Canyon, Colorado's most popular stretch of whitewater. For those who do not want to raft, the day can also be spent exploring the surrounding trails, or simply relaxing in town.
- Brown's Canyon Rafting [Class III+ Rapids]
- Option [sight-seeing, exploring trails [distance variable]
Day 4. Mountain Biking to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort (888-395-7799 / private baths)
Pedaling on a network of unpaved and seldom-traveled roads we ride south to Twin Lakes, a tiny village surrounded by Colorado's highest peaks. Our route contours the base of two of these highest peaks and the snow-capped spine of the Continental Divide. More 14,000-foot peaks pack this area than anywhere in North America.
For two nights we stay at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, which, as its name implies, is home to geothermal hot spring bathing pools. Dinner this evening features a fireside barbecue prepared by your guides.
- Leadville to Twin Lakes [23-27 miles, minimal elevation gain]
Day 5. Hiking Black Cloud Trail, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Today we return to the hiking trails with a few options. Our challenging hike begins on the Black Cloud Trail. As we approach tree line a spectacular panorama is revealed, including a birds-eye view of Mt. Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak! Our picnic lunch spot is one not to be forgotten as we gaze out onto a sea of snowy peaks.
Our easier hiking option follows the shores of Twin Lakes and winds through thick stands of aspen and open flowering meadows. During our lakeside lunch, soak up some of the local history by exploring the abandoned turn-of-the-century resort of Interlaken. If you are yearning for a bit more rafting, you can enjoy the day paddling the demanding IV-IV rapids of the Granite section of the Arkansas River at an additional cost.
- Challenging Option: Black Cloud Trail [4 to 5 miles, 2300 feet to 4700 feet elevation gain, then loss]
- Easy Option: Interlaken Trail [6 miles, level terrain]
- Full-day Rafting Option: Granite/Numbers Section, Arkansas River [Class IV-V Rapids] (additional cost, $89)
Day 6. Mountain Biking Lehardy Cutoff and the old Midland Railroad Grade, Vail.
Our final day reunites us with our bicycles. A unique feature of today's ride is that we are actually cycling on the old railway bed of the historic Midland Railroad of the 1880s. A highlight for many is cycling along easy singletrack that has replaced the railroad's old route. From Buena Vista a shuttle back to Vail concludes the tour.
- Twin Lakes to Buena Vista [approximately 15 miles, minimal elevation gain]
Tour Details
Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights
Trip Type: Inn-to-Inn
Cost: $1595, $995 (family camping)
Single Supplement: $315 (Inn-to-Inn departures only)
Dates: June 24-29 (family camping), July 15-20, July 29-August 3 (singles)
Trip Level: Moderately Easy, with 4 days of Moderate Options
Bicycle Rental: $125
Gateway City Transfer: Public transportation from Denver International Airport is available for approximately $55 one way. Vans to Vail provide transportation hourly and can be reached at 800-222-2112 or 970-925-2400. You may also want to try Colorado Mountain Express at 800-525-6363 or 970-949-4227. Reservations are recommended.
Meeting Time & Place: 12:30 p.m., in front of the Tivoli Inn in Vail, 386 Hanson Ranch RD., 800-451-4756 / 970-476-5615. From I-70 take exit 176. Go around round a bout and through underpass. Go around 2nd round a bout and head east on Frontage Road. Take a right on Vail Valley Rd., go over bridge the lodge will be on the right side. Please plan to arrive at the inn at the designated time, and not earlier, for the convenience of the innkeeper. We recommend that you have lunch prior to our meeting, and arrive ready to hike.
Trip Conclusion: Approximately 5:30 p.m. Tivoli Inn, Vail, CO. It is important that airline departures be scheduled no earlier than 9:30 p.m. from Denver.
Trip Fees Include: Full day raft trip, all meals (dinner Day 1-lunch Day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, water bottle, support vehicle, historical information packet, professional guides and bicycle riding instruction.
Trip Notes: The above description describes our inn-to-inn trip. For a detailed itinerary of the family camping and backcountry departure, please call or email The World Outdoors.
General Information, Questions & Answers...
How do I join this trip? Call us at 1 800 43 9216.
How do I book airfare for this trip? Call us at 1 800 443 9216.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that you take out baggage loss, accident and trip cancellation insurance. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness, as well as cover any evacuation expenses should you become ill during the trip.
How will the change in altitude affect me? This is a difficult question to answer as altitude physiologically affects different people in different ways. The Rocky Mountains range from 5,000 feet to over 14,000 feet elevation, and have an extremely dry climate. Thus, to prevent altitude sickness we recommend that you always remain well-hydrated, gradually expose yourself to higher elevations, exercise moderately until altitude acclimatized, eat a diet consisting of at least 70% carbohydrates beginning 1 to 2 days prior to ascent, and get plenty of rest. Furthermore, we suggest that you arrive at our gateway city at least 1 to 2 days before the first day of your trip.
What weather conditions can I expect? You can expect daytime temperatures to be in the 70's, with evening temperatures being up to 30° F cooler. As in other mountainous regions, weather conditions in the Rockies are extremely variable. Be prepared for anything, even snow.
Driving to the Meeting Place: Vail is 98 miles west of Denver, approximately 2 hours by car. It is exit 176 on I-70 when approaching from east or west or highway 24 to I-70 if coming from south. During the trip, cars can be left at the public parking garage in Vail; there is no parking fee.
Car Rentals: Thrifty 800-367-2277; National 800-227-7368; Avis 800-331-1212; Alamo 800-327-9633; Hertz 800-654-3131; Enterprise 800-325-8007
Alternate Airport of Arrival: Eagle County Airport. Public transportation from Eagle County Airport is available for $35 per person one way. Call Eagle Transport at 970-524-1100. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.
Pre & Post Trip Accommodations
Vail Lodging: If you arrive in Vail the evening before the trip, or stay over after the trip, we recommend the Tivoli Inn (800-451-4756 / 970-476-5615) let them know you are with The World Outdoors. Below is a listing of additional accommodations in Vail.
- Marriot Mountain Resort: 800-648-0720 [rate: $135-$145]
- Christiania Lodge: 970-476-5641 [rate: $115-$160]
Denver Lodging: The following hotels are located near the Denver International Airport and offer shuttle service to and from the airport. In addition, these hotels offer discounted rates for The World Outdoors guests so make sure that you mention that you are traveling with The World Outdoors.
Day 1: Camp Hale: Evening is enjoyed at our camp site set in the middle of Camp Hale. In 1942 more than 15,000 men were stationed here in preparation for the winter in Europe. After W.W.II, many of these 10th Mountain Division troopers became prime players in Colorado's burgeoning ski industry.
Day 2: Turquoise Lake: Mirrored in the crystal waters are Colorado's highest peaks, Mount Massive and Mount Elbert. This will be setting for tonight's camp as we relax next to campfire near the edge of this beautiful alpine lake.
Days 3, 4, & 5: Twin Lakes: Trail's end for the next two nights is at our group camp site overlooking Twin Lakes. Little can compare to this camp's scenic setting; our only neighbors are the towering summits that rise on all sides. For those that enjoy fishing, bring along the rod & reel and cast a line in the lake as the trout fishing is outstanding. Dinner on our last evening features a farewell campfire barbecue. Under the star-filled skies, hunker down for an evening recounting the week's adventures. Little can compare to this camp's scenic setting; our only neighbors are the towering summits that rise on all sides.
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary. Our actual activities and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. As a result, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary since unforseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itninerary changes are made to improve the trip and your experience.
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