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The Journal archive
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Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Ride the Silver Queen Gondola out of downtown Aspen and you’re in another world: steep rock, thin air, and a summit that narrates the town below. Pair a gondola run with guided walking tours to understand Ajax’s history, geology, and local culture.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Maroon Bells rewards both the quick sunrise pilgrim and the seasoned backpacker. Learn the trails, the history of the red rock, and the practicalities of visiting this iconic Alpine basin outside Aspen.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Maroon Bells is the alpine cliché that actually deserves the hype: two maroon-streaked fourteeners framing a mirror lake. This guide walks you from sunrise shots to sensible trail planning so you can experience the place—without becoming part of the problem.
Read the story →Wildlife Nature · Aspen, Colorado
Nestled on the Roaring Fork River in downtown Aspen, the John Denver Sanctuary pairs engraved lyrics and river-worn boulders with a gentle riverside walk. It’s a compact, reflective stop that introduces the town’s natural and cultural layers before bigger mountain adventures.
Read the story →Motorized Land · Buena Vista, Colorado
Drive one of Colorado’s most dramatic roads to Aspen, where jagged peaks, alpine tundra, and a mining-era past meet modern mountain town culture. Expect big views, high elevation, and a day that teaches you more than the road itself.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
A two-hour, creekside walk through Aspen’s East End that blends geology, local history, and accessible outdoor time—perfect for acclimating, scouting longer routes, or squeezing nature into a city stay.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Denver, Colorado
From Denver’s urban edges to the reflective cool at Maroon Lake, this five-day small-group tour compresses Colorado’s big landscapes into a single, well-paced loop. Expect alpine hikes, hot springs, and photo-ready peaks—without the planning headaches.
Read the story →Winter Sports · Aspen, Colorado
Trade lift lines for silence. This two-hour snowcat journey to the Maroon Bells delivers Aspen’s most iconic winter view—complete with heated cabs, hot drinks, and a short walk to the lake’s edge when conditions allow. A relaxed, family-friendly way to experience high alpine winter without the stress of driving.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Smuggler Mountain Road is Aspen’s most approachable classic: a 4-mile, three-hour climb on a wide dirt road to a sweeping overlook. It blends real elevation with accessible terrain—and a mining history that still echoes off the hillsides.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Trade town buzz for hoofbeats and high-alpine light. This evening ride through Aspen’s Castle Creek Valley delivers an unhurried, horizon-wide experience—with the option to finish at Pine Creek Cookhouse for a proper dinner.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Ride from a restored ghost town into a high-alpine valley where aspens flicker, peaks shoulder the horizon, and lunch at a mountain cookhouse beckons. This guided horseback experience blends history, scenery, and approachable adventure—all within an easy drive from Aspen.
Read the story →Winter Sports · Aspen, Colorado
Snowmobile a groomed trail through aspen groves and meadows to a hot-cocoa stop at frozen Maroon Lake—front-row seats to the Maroon Bells when winter lifts its veil. Accessible, guided, and family-friendly, this is Aspen’s most photogenic winter detour.
Read the story →Aerial Adventures · Snowmass Village, Colorado
Rise with the sun over Snowmass on a private hot air balloon flight that trades noise for nuance and roads for rivers of air. Float for an hour, land where the winds decree, and toast the morning with champagne. It’s effortless adventure with a high-elevation twist.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Follow the Roaring Fork River on a 1.5-hour guided spin along Aspen’s Rio Grande Trail—easy grades, lively scenery, and a tight dose of local insight. It’s a BYOB ride that trades effort for immersion and proves you don’t need all day to feel the valley’s rhythm.
Read the story →Motorized Land · Aspen, Colorado
Ride a snowmobile through Aspen’s White River National Forest to a rustic cabin lunch with a front-row view of Pyramid Peak. A family-friendly, 2½–3-hour tour with no experience required—just crisp mountain air, rolling trails, and a burger worth the trip.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Step beneath Aspen and into the tunnels that built the town. The Smuggler Mine Tour delivers a cool, guided walk through original 1800s drifts and the true tale of one of America’s greatest silver strikes—equal parts history lesson and hands-on adventure.
Read the story →Aerial Adventures · Snowmass Village, Colorado
At sunrise, the Brush Creek Valley opens like a quiet stage and you drift right into the scene. Public Flights deliver a relaxed hot air balloon adventure with real mountain drama—and a champagne toast after you touch down.
Read the story →Winter Sports · Aspen, Colorado
Snowshoe beneath quiet aspens, trace fresh animal tracks across open meadows, and step into Ashcroft ghost town on a Naturalist-led half-day tour in Castle Creek Valley. Gentle terrain, rich storytelling, and a gourmet lunch option at Pine Creek Cookhouse make this the winter outing Aspen locals quietly adore.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
Ease into Aspen on a one-hour, two-mile guided bike cruise through historic streets and along the river’s edge. It’s the perfect acclimatizer—scenic, informative, and subtle in the way it unlocks the town’s rhythm.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Aspen, Colorado
When the Elk Mountains trade daylight for streetlamps, Aspen’s history steps forward. This one-hour walking tour blends eerie tales with real-deal mining-town lore—an easy evening adventure that’s equal parts storytelling and setting.
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