Nesting osprey, young moose, budding trees and flowing streams – early May in Granby is a delight!
A small town past Winter Park on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park, Granby has much to offer. Fishing, golf, bicycling, and hiking are popular activities, and it’s central location makes it an ideal base to visit other nearby towns in Grand County like Grand Lake and Hot Sulphur Springs.
Many restaurant and bar owners close for a couple of weeks during the Mud Season – the time between ski season and the summer tourist season. I like to stay in one of the many time share condos available so that I can cook my own healthy meals, but enough restaurants do stay open that finding three squares should not be a problem.
Here are some ideas for slow travel adventures in Granby:
Day 1 – Check in and pick up supplies from City Market. Check the Grand County Menu Guide – grandcountymenuguide.com – to choose a dinner restaurant. Drive the fifteen minutes to Hot Sulphur Springs and visit Pioneer Village Museum – grandcountymuseum.com. Visited by John Wesley Powell in 1868, and photographed by William H. Jackson in 1874, the town’s history is fascinating and full of intrigue. Allow a minimum of an hour and a half since the museum is much larger than it appears from outside. Afterward, go for a soak at the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort, or for a short walk in Pioneer Park along the Colorado River.
Day 2 – Time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side. Trail Ridge Road doesn’t typically open until Memorial Day, so this allows for quiet visits and opportunities for numerous animal sightings. Moose, elk, deer and coyote are just some of the frequently spotted animals. Bring a box lunch, find a place to park and watch for wildlife. Go for a hike, photograph the gorgeous scenery, and stop at the visitor center to watch the informative documentaries about the park’s history.
Stop in Grand Lake for dinner, stroll along the lake, and check out the main street shops.
Day 3 – Drive south to Winter Park’s Visitor Center for maps and ideas. The helpful staff have always proved very helpful and knowledgeable about current activities going on. Check out the many shops and restaurants. There are snowmobile and ATV rentals, depending on the conditions.
On your return, check out Snow Mountain Ranch, which has on-going events year round. In Fraser, Cozen’s Ranch House Museum depicts an early settler’s life. For an off-beat stop, visit Igadi Dispensary in Tabernash to see hundreds of cannabis plants in various stages of growth. No purchase necessary.
