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OUTDOOR RECREATION
Bicycling
The mountain
bike trails in the area are not officially mapped, but the folks
at Grand Lake Sports, (970)627-8124, are open year round
and they offer information on local mountain biking. In addition
to bikes and
other
equipment, they rent sleds and snowshoes for winter fun.
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recreation"
Snowmobiling
& Skiing
Snowmobiling
Grand Lake is the "Official
Snowmobile capital of Colorado" according to Snow West
magazine, with more than 300 miles of groomed and ungroomed
trails. It's also one of the few places where you can snowmobile
right into town.
Cross-country
Skiing
The Green Mountain Trail makes
a nice one-way tour in the national park if you have two cars.
Leave one car at the Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet Trailhead and
drive the other back to the Green Mountain Trailhead. Starting
at the Green Mountain Trail, 3 miles north of Grand Lake on US Highway
34, the trail goes uphill for 2 miles then turns right on the
Tonahutu Creek trail. From there it's a pleasant 4-mile downhill
run to your second car.
In the winter, the Grand Lake
Golf Course is magically transformed into the Grand Lake Touring
Center. It boasts 25 kilometers of groomed ski trails, as
well as connecting trails to Soda Springs Ranch and other trails.
To reach the course, turn left on County Road 48 a quarter-mile
north of town and drive for one mile.
Two additional areas are YMCA
Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center, (970) 887-2152, which
offers a variety of other activities, and Devil's Thumb Ranch,
(970)726-8231, which offers more than 100 kilometers of nice rolling
terrain as well as more challenging tracks. In addition to being
able to rent equipment at all of the areas listed above, one
can rent at Never Summer Mountain Products, (970)627-3642.
Downhill
Skiing
Winter Park Ski Resort is forty miles from Grand Lake and offers
some of the state's best skiing. For central reservations, call
(970)726-5514 or (800) 453-2525. Sol Vista Resort is smaller
and quieter and only fifteen miles from Grand Lake. It is geared
more towards families and is a great place for beginning and
intermediate skiers. They can be reached at (303) 629-1020, (970)
887-3384, or (800) 448-9458.
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Fishing
Whether you like
"flat water" or stream fishing there is plenty of angling
action in the area. Lake fishing enthusiasts can choose from
Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Monarch
Lake. The Colorado River and Willow Creek are among the many
streams in the area that offer good fishing. Colorado fishing
licenses are required for anglers 15 years of age and above.
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recreation"
Golf
& Tennis
Grand Lake
Golf Course,
(970)
627-8008, lies at 8,420 feet above sea level, select your club
accordingly. If your ball goes astray, chances are you will not
find it, so don't be distracted by the gorgeous scenery. It can
be chilly, and afternoon showers are common so bring your rain
gear.
Pole Creek
Golf Course,
(970)
887-9195 or 1-800-511-5076, located just off Highway 40 between Tabernash and Granby,
is another award-winning public course. Approximately half of
the course is laid out in the meadows along Pole Creek, the other
half is in the trees above, making this 18-hole, par 72 layout
uniquely challenging.
Public tennis
courts are located at Grand Lake Golf course for a small fee.
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Hiking
& Backpacking
Immediately accessible
to the Shores of Shadow Mountain is the Continental Divide Trail,
winding along the east shore of Shadow Mountain Lake and following
the Colorado River to Lake Granby. A truly delightful wildlife
viewing experience awaits with access trails inter connecting
all sites in the development with the North American trail system.
Backcountry travelers are urged
to visit the local forest service office or the National Park
for maps and information about local trails. The Sulphur Ranger
District Office, (970)887-4100, will provide maps and information
on trails in the national forest. While you are there, plan on
picking up an excellent recreation guide published by Grand County.
Trails in Rocky Mountain National
Park
Maps and information on trails
in the National Park can be obtained at the Kawuneeche Visitor
Center, (970)627-3471. Just a few miles into the park are several
trailheads, including Green Mountain, Onahu Creek, Timber Lake,
and the Colorado River Trail. The Green Mountain and Onahu Creek
trails are short day hikes of a mile or so to an intersection
with Tonahutu Creek Trail, which takes the experienced
backpacker farther into the remote reaches of the park. The latter
two are more challenging, with the Timber Lake trail being the
more difficult of the two.
Two trails which leave from the
town of Grand Lake and venture into the park are the aforementioned
Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet Loop and the shorter, easier East
Inlet Trail. The latter is perfect for day hikes which can
vary from an easy 3/4 mile walk to beautiful Adams Falls to a
5.25 mile hike to Lake Verna. The Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet
Loop is a 27-mile, three day loop for experienced backpackers
only.
Trails in Indian Peaks Wilderness
Area
The trailheads for three excellent
trails into the wilderness area can be found at Monarch Lake.
The first is the Arapaho Pass Trail which follows Arapaho
Creek for 10 miles to the top of the pass at 11,900 feet. Another
is the Buchanan Creek Trail, which is a more difficult
hike along Buchanan and Cascade creeks to Crater Lake. A third,
and longer, alternative is the Pawnee Pass Trail, which
goes east instead of south to Crater Lake. It is a difficult
3-mile climb to the top of the 12,541-foot pass. To reach Monarch
Lake take US Highway 34 south to County Road 6, turn left
and go 10 miles to Monarch Lake.
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Watersports
Watersports are the bread-and-butter
of the Arapahoe National Recreation Area, and watersport rental
shops are everywhere. Bumper boats (like bumper cars) are also
available to rent.
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Horseback
Riding
Sombrero Stables, (970)627-3514, offers everything
from pony rides for kids to steak-fry rides for adults to pack
trips into the Park for several days. Prices vary for rides with
meals. Call for reservations.
Winding River
Resort Village,
(970)627-3215, also offers guided rides.
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recreation"
Camping
Sites in Rocky Mountain National
Park
Timber Creek Campground is the only campground near the west
entrance to the park. It is 7 miles from the entrance to the
park on U.S. Highway 34. A permit is required for camping anywhere
in the park. They are available on a first-come basis or they
can be obtained in advance in writing. They are available at
the West Unit Office at the western entrance to the park.
Sites in Arapaho National
Recreation Area
The Recreation Area boasts
350 campsites in four different campgrounds. Green Ridge Campground
can be found by going 3 miles south on U.S. Highway 34 to
County Road 66 and turning left for 1 mile. It is on the shore
of Shadow Mountain Lake and has 80 campsites. Stillwater Campground
is 6 miles south of town just off U.S. 34 on the shores of
Lake Granby. The Arapaho Bay Campground can be found by
going one mile past the Stillwater Campground and turning left
for ten miles on County Road 66. It is on the shores of Lake
Granby and has 77 sites. Finally, the Willow Creek Campground
can be found three miles west (right) on U.S. 40 from the
junction with U.S. 34. This campground is on the Willow Creek
Reservoir and has 35 sites.
Fees are $10 per night for campgrounds
on lakes and $8 per night for inland campgrounds. For more information,
contact the Sulphur Ranger District Office at (970)887-4100.
Sites in Arapaho National
Forest
To reach Sawmill Gulch Campground
go 3 miles northwest of Granby on U.S. 40, turn right on Colorado
125 for ten miles. This campground has 5 sites and a fee of $8
per night is charged. Denver Creek Campground is 2 miles
farther, has 25 sites, and charges no fee.
The Winding River Resort Village,
(970)
627-3215, is a privately owned combination of a campground,
bed and breakfast, and recreation park. It has more than 160
campsites adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park with hot showers,
RV hookups, a store and laundry. If you get tired of roughing
it, check out the luxurious bed and breakfast rooms. Continental
breakfast is included for all. A huge list of activities is offered
including hayrides and a Frisbee golf course. The resort can
be found by driving a mile north of town on U.S. 34 and turning
left across from the National Park Visitors' Center and following
the signs for 1.5 miles.
Sites in the Indian Peaks
Wilderness Area
Permits are required for overnight
camping in the wilderness area and are available at the Sulphur
Ranger District Office, 62429 U.S. Highway 40, Granby 80446.
They can be obtained in advance by writing to this address. Call
(970)887-4100 for more information. Permits cost $5 for a limit of
seven nights and group size is limited to twelve (including pack
animals). Advance reservations are required for Crater, Jasper,
Diamond, and Caribou lakes.
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INDOOR RECREATION
Theater
Grand Lake features
excellent live stage productions throughout the summer
and during holidays in the winter. These are presented by the
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater and take place at the Grand
Lake Community House in town.
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recreation"
Concerts
Concerts
in the Pines are held four times a year in February, March, September
and October in the Grand Lake Community House.
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recreation"
Restaurants
There are many restaurants
in and around Grand Lake. They are generally inexpensive although
some are a bit more pricey. The more pricey ones are indicated
with a "$" in the following list.
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Back-Street
Steakhouse |
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Daven
Haven Lodge - $ |
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604 Marina
Drive, Grand Lake |
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627-8144 |
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Waconda Lodge
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725 Grand Avenue, Grand
Lake |
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627-8312 |
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Grand
Pizza |
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1131 Grand Avenue, Grand
Lake |
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627-8390 |
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Pancho
& Lefty's |
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1120 Grand Avenue, Grand
Lake |
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627-8773 |
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Caroline's
Cuisine - $ |
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9921 US 34, Grand
Lake |
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627-9404 |
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Max and T's- $ |
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1000 Grand Avenue, Grand
Lake |
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627-8404 |
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The Bear's
Den |
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612 Grand Avenue, Grand
Lake |
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627-3385 |
The
Terrace Inn - $
813
Grand Avenue, Grand Lake
627-3000
Trail
Ridge Grill
39
County Road 48, Grand Lake
627-8182
Fat
Cat Cafe
916
Grand Avenue, Grand Lake
627-0900
El
Pacifico
920
Grand Avenue, Grand Lake
627-9322
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recreation
Library
The Juniper Library
is a brand new log structure located adjacent to the Town Park in Grand
Lake. The phone number is 627-8353.
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recreation"
Museum
The Kauffman House
museum is located at the end of Pitkin St. (towards the lake)
and is open daily 11-5pm Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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