I was at Mt. Rushmore last summer. After an hour, or less, you are ready to go somewhere else. The entire town surrounding it is basically a tourist trap for families. Do anything else. White water raft. Jump on a horse. Visit Rocky Mtn Park. I have heard that weed is legal in Boulder. Rocky Mountain High....

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"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

A 70.3?

August in Boulder area can be hot- it’s always nice to get up high and get out of the heat. It depends what you like- but aug is perfect for high country hiking. Mountain biking is also fabulous- you could hit up lift served terrain at Winter Park or cross country ride. Stand up paddle boarding or rafting are fun ways to get out of the heat. I know you can rent a paddleboard at Union reservoir in Longmont and the views of Long’s peak are amazing.

Rafting is going to be pretty limited that late in the summer pumphouse on the Colorado is probably the only sure bet.

Taking the train from Denver to Glenwood Springs is fun if you have a few days and want to hit some hot springs.

Give me a few more ideas about what you like to do and I’ll give you more suggestions!

Been a few years since I've been out that way as I have a good friend that lives out there; Rockies game is a must as Coors Field is a great place to take in a game. If you are seated towards right field you'll have an awesome view of the sun setting behind the Rockies off in the distance if taking in a night game. Pearl St is fun to walk around. We also did some hikes/trail runs along Mt Sanitas just outside of town.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Breweries.

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

There’s an ice cream place on Arapahoe that’s pretty killer. Think it’s called Heifer and the Hen but I’ll look it up...

Would like to hit up some hikes. Maybe something for a couple hours but not too strenuous. A couple of the guys wouldn't be into anything too hardcore. Anything where you hike up to a lake, can take a dip then come back to town?
Is there a lake we could rent a boat for waterskiing or tubing. If most of the guys head to Mt. Rushmore, might only be two of us left on Sunday, was looking into guided rock climbing for the day.

Also would like some good restaurant recommendations. Brewary/pub food maybe live music. Also maybe something a bit more upscale.

Can you smoke weed anywhere? Could we smoke at the Rockies game or does it have to be indoors/private property? I don't think any of us have smoked in 30 years but wouldn't mind having a couple of hits, a few beers and just relax.

No you can't smoke in public but maybe buy some edibles. Ugh, tourists.

Edibles will fill your need and you can do them anywhere. Technically smoking in public is still illegal but you could probably get away with it in the parking lot before the game, I wouldn't do it in the seats unless you vape.

Mt Rushmore is a total waste for that short of time.

If you're staying in Boulder without a car, hiking to a lake is not that easy, though there are tons of hiking options in walking distance.

Celestial Seasonings tea factory gives free tours.

Coors brewery is in Golden but why do that with so many local breweries.

You can tube down the river in Boulder as well as in Golden. Golden has a bunch of tube rental places and the river is more relaxing, Boulder is bit rocky and surrounded by homeless camps.

If you and your friends bike at all, I'd suggest renting some mtb's or a dirt jump bike and play around at Valmont bike park.

Pearl St. is several blocks of shops, bars and restaurants and the road in those blocks are closed to cars, so it's nice to wander and people watch. Wednesday's during the summer have a band and beer garden.

The Boulder farmers market on Saturday mornings is great for food and walking around. They have a mini one Wednesday nights with mainly food, beer and music.

Rocky Mountain National Park is worth it.

I don't know where you can rent a boat, Carter Lake rents stand up paddle boards, do a google search, they may have boats or jet skis.

I'd start searching to see what bands are playing and just go see whatever is playing at Red Rocks. It's worth the experience and much better than Mt. Rushmore.

There's no shortage of nice restaurants and downtown they all have good happy hours. I'd bar hop from one to the other, trying different appetizers and drink specials.

If you have a car, go do a hike at Brainard Lake. https://www.alltrails.com/...lake-recreation-area Go early! The parking lots fill fast.

Avery Brewing has great beer. It's not "downtown Boulder," but worth a look, IMO. If you want recommendations in Denver, I'm happy to give those (live here and only make it to Boulder during the warmer months to train).

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

Casa Bonita?

Hard no on that unless you have intestines of steel.

drn92

Some really good advice in some replies. I’d skip the SD leg and stay for Rocky Mountain National Park. Plenty of breweries and Coors is not too far away. Could also see if there is a concert at Red Rocks.

drn92

https://theknow.denverpost.com/...olorado-lake/218520/

Looks like Horsetooth has ski boats for rent. It’s a fun place to hang out with good mello mountain biking and Ft. Collins is a fun town to explore especially in summer when it’s less busy (CSU kids gone for summer)

You could also hike at Horsetooth and then go swimming.

As others have said edibles are kind of where it’s at.

Another vote for Red Rocks. Great outdoor venue. Just depends on who is playing and what you like.

There are no good hikes to a lake, unless you have a car. With a car there are many options from Brainard, as well as options from Rocky Mtn Nat’l Park.

The weather in August is somewhat predictable. Dry in the am, with rapidly rising temps. Chance of t-storms in the pm. Almost all outdoor recreation involves an early start to beat the heat, avoid the storms and maybe beat the crowds (not so easy).

How hard do you rock climb? The Third Flatiron is a great 5.4, with remarkable views. Plenty of classics in Eldorado State Park, which is worth a visit even for just sightseeing and maybe an easy hike.

Do you want recommendations for a ride? There are some great mtn rides, depending on your fitness, time, motivation, and acclimation.

If you like unusual architecture, the Dushanbe Teahouse is quite interesting for a meal or just a drink.

Any idea if the 5.4 is trad or sport?

Bolts for the belay - rest you need gear if you want to protect which is recommended.

Haha I have no idea what that place is like. Just from the Southpark episode. I'll take your word for it.

We will have a car so driving to hike, bike etc isn’t a problem. Haven’t rock climbed in years but was thinking with a guide I couldn’t get myself in trouble.
Are Rockies tickets easy to come by. Could we get them day of the game. Game is at 1pm on a Thursday. We fly in at 11. Figure by the time we get the car and get to the stadium may be cutting it close so wouldn’t want to order ahead of time if have a flight delay and miss the game. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Gives me plenty to start digging into

I’ve gotten tickets at the box office right before game time there a few times. Shouldn’t be a problem.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

If you hire a guide, the Third Flatiron will not be a problem. It is never hard for someone who has at least some experience. It can be crowded on a weekend — mostly with people not using ropes. The rappels off the top are a bit tricky but should be fine with a guide. It is usually closed until Aug 1 due to nesting raptors, so there is some pent-up demand during the time you will be here. Colorado Mountain School has a good guide service.

So if I read this right you really are getting into Boulder very late on Thurs, b/c flying into Denver & then going to Boulder & then Denver to catch a Rockies game isn't logistically smart.

So Fri-Sat: basically what everyone has said--enjoy the town, tons of easy hiking/running trails right out back, maybe paddleboard if you want to be on water. Boating is not Boulders thing, and wouldn't be on my to-do list.

If you want mountains/scenery than about 1.5 hour drive gets you pretty up into the mountains.

Leave PLENTY of time on Sunday to get to & thru airport security & to your gate on Sunday.......Denver's airport is tricky big, and while the dates you've listed shouldn't be rush hour, aside from ATL I find DIA one of the least convenient fly-into/out-of airports in the US.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

Thanks on the airport tip. We actually leave Monday morning about 10. We are flying in Thursday morning. Will the airport be worse on Monday as well as traffic getting to the airport? People are flying in from different parts of the country so we were staying in Denver Thursday night. Figured if people come in late would be easier to meet in Denver rather than Boulder. Hopefully hit the game Thursday afternoon, dinner/bar. Friday morning head to Boulder early. So all day in Boulder Fri, Sat, Sun.

Monday morning can be a bit crazy at DEN.

If you are staying downtown I’d recommend looking at the Light Rail to the airport. It leaves from Union Station. Pretty easy trip, no traffic, drops you off right at the base of the south security lanes (about a 3 minute walk and a escalator ride).

drn92

That's crazy. DIA seems to be one of the most efficient airports I have consistently traveled from. MCO (Orlando) is way worse, IME. I've never had any issues with DIA. (knock on wood)

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

If you are up for an adventure, you could always go hike up a 14er ! The access to Mt Bierstadt is very easy, and after that it is a straight forward 'hike' up to 14K. The summit has lots of boulders and scree, but nothing at all technical.

With the amount of snow, there still might be some up top (just kidding!)

You could also go hike and ski a glacier, St. Mary's is just up I-70 as well.

db

Boulder is fun but I couldn't imagine spending 3-4 days there. As others have said, I'd go to Denver and see the Pearl Street Mall, State capitol and the Arts center. Molly Brown house optional. Brown Palace Hotel tea is fun. I would skip Rapid City (used to live there) and go to Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy, Glen Eyrie (tea/tour), Pikes Peak, Broadmoor await. If you want a physical challenge, the Manitou incline is often in the news (I haven't climbed it). Does the Boulder reservoir have a Stroke and Stride while you are there? Fun and low key. You have lots of options.

2nd a 14er...and agree Bierstadt is a good first one. Evans is also really easy from Summit Lake.

What would be an average total time to figure for Mt. Bierstadt hike.

3-4 hours round trip for us. Depends on how you handle the altitude.

I don't remember the exact elevation gain, but going up figure an hour for every 1000 feet.

edit to add link for a description:

https://dayhikesneardenver.com/...il-on-guanella-pass/

Coors isn't a brewery; it's a factory #fuckcorporatebeer

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

http://boulderaletrail.org/...uggested_itineraries

Honestly I think Longmont has better breweries than Boulder - but riding bikes on lobo trail between the two and stopping for pints on the way in Gunbarrel would make a good evening.

How are things looking in Boulder these days. Still have long weekend planned with friends for end of August. Some guys are still in, some are on the fence. Going to make a decision by next week.

We're figuring we'd do some day hikes in Rocky Mountain park. Most of the things we were originally planning were outdoors. Wondering about dinner/eating out. Do you need reservations everywhere? Originally were planning on grabbing some dinner each night, then hitting a couple of bars. Are bars even open.

Was just away for the weekend. Had to make reservations everywhere, couldn't just pop in to get some food. It wasn't bad, I knew we would have to do it at restaurants, but took some of the fun out of it. And there was a weird atmosphere in the town.

Bars only are currently closed in all of CO but restaurants are open. BOCO had one spike a few weeks ago of college kids but is running single digits to teens cases a day mostly- so pretty low. A few weeks ago the hospital was completely empty.

Hiking is crazy busy and I think they have a reservation system for RMNP- so definitely check that!

But I think we’re better off than a lot of places. End of aug is anyone’s bet with the college kids due back two weeks before that.

Agree with the above. To add:

RMNP requires reservations. But, currently, you can enter by bike without a reservation. So, you can park outside the Park and cycle in (still need to pay the entrance fee). If that does not work for you, I’d get your reservations soon — at recreation.gov. I believe you don’t need a reservation if you arrive (by car) before 6am, but would not count on that option being available when you’re here.

Also agree that Boulder county is doing fine on the Covid numbers. But, lots of policy is decided at the state level. If there is evidence that the surge in AZ is also coming/happening here, we easily could get more restrictions.

For now, you are probably ok without restaurant reservations. But, who knows what that looks like after 8/21, which is the last day for CU student move in? Some popular restaurants have permanently closed. So, with capacity constraints at the remaining restaurants, things could get tight if people start eating out.

Plenty of bars are open ... for now.

I just spent 4 days in the Rockies. Reservations have to be done early, they sellout quick. However you can enter without reservation and with standard fee before 6AM and after 5PM. Trails are packed but typical for this time of year.

Masks are required if you can't social distance but few people were following those rules (saw many TX plates). In Estes Park, it's completely different. At least 80% of people were masking outside around town.

I hope things are better in a month. Instead of going to Sturgis I'm riding to Denver where my wife is flying in. Then a week riding back roads with overnights in Laramie, Steamboat, Crested Butte, Telluride, Durango, Colorado Springs (have relatives there), then drop off Mrs justgeorge in Denver and ride back to Cincinnati.

4-6 hours of riding each day then hitting the local hole in the wall bars/restaurants is what we love so let's hope things are open!

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