Your winter weekend guide to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Glenwood Springs. It’s not a big-name town like Breckenridge or Aspen, so luckily, I had very low expectations. We randomly ended up there because there happened to be a Home Exchange available at the last minute over Thanksgiving weekend. As an overthinker and over-analyzer, it’s easier to show up to a place without any preconceived notions. We ended up having an awesome weekend, and will most definitely be back. As a Colorado newbie, I was struck by the stark difference in landscape and colors once we passed Vail. The heavy green and sharp peaks of central Colorado gave way to red rocks and canyons. It’s a beautiful area that reminded us both of northern Utah.
Food and Drink
Not a ton of options on this front! But we had a really fun meal at Slope and Hatch, a small, divey, taco and hot dog spot. I literally don’t think I’ve ever seen a taco and hot dog restaurant, it’s a strange combination. But the interesting menu and lack of other options led us in, and we left stuffed and satisfied. Also, the owner is a Liverpool fan so… bonus points.
Dos Gringos
If you’re willing to drive out of town a little bit, Dos Gringos in Carbondale is worth it. I’m a gigantic burrito snob and they put out a high quality product.
It’s always donut o’clock in our books, and Sweet Coloradough hit the spot. We got there around 8 am on our way to Hanging Lake, and it was already hopping. Apparently the owners are a couple who got sick of the Denver hustle and moved to Glenwood. Seems like the locals are happy to have them!
Last, but most definitely not least is Casey Brewing. We heard about this brewery from a bartender at Crooked Stave in Denver who told us that their beer is so good, that the owner drinks for free when he’s in Denver. We ended up going twice, and being downtown it’s within walking distance of almost everything. I highly recommend the New England IPA’s, they’re funky and strong.
Activities
Let’s just get this one out of the way, because if you’re going to Glenwood Springs, you’re probably hiking Hanging Lake. Word on the street is that they get 1,000 visitors a day during high season in summer. So, if possible, try to go offseason or really early in the morning. If you get a sunny, calm day without a thousand tourists, it is absolutely worth it. Just make sure you trek up a bit further to Spouting Rock once you get to the lake, and if you’re lucky on the way up or down you’ll find bald eagles soaring in the canyons around you.
McClure Pass
Almost all other outdoor activities in Glenwood and the surrounding area down to Aspen and Snowmass depend entirely on the time of year you visit. With it being late November, we brought our snowshoes and were happily rewarded with fresh snow when we woke up Saturday morning. And it didn’t stop until late afternoon. Our home exchange hosts recommended we hike McClure Pass, an obscure, elevated road since it closes in the winter. With snow falling around us, we managed about 2.5 miles in and 2.5 miles back and only saw a few others, mostly cross-country skiers. As Melissa put it, it was truly a winter wonderland.
No matter the season, you can always relax in a hot spring. We chose Iron Mountain since it had more options for pools at different temperatures and we were told that there would be fewer kids… My favorite type of hot spring is one with an outdoor view, and Iron Mountain didn’t disappoint. Placed directly on the river, we spent a fantastic couple of hours pool-hopping and enjoying the changing sunlight hitting the canyon.
All in all, we plan on getting back to Glenwood Springs. I was highly intrigued by stories of river activities, which are extremely popular in the summer. As the area sits on 3 rivers, there is endless rafting, kayaking, fishing, and all things river-related. I’m excited to visit again in the summer!