Tips for Tenderfeet: Scenic Tours

	Tenderfoot Lodge
	Summer Tips

Scenic Tours

The Central Rockies can be seen even by those unable to get very far from their car. Excellent roads cross the highest mountain passes and venture into the narrowest canyons.
Two simple car tours are must-do's for all newcomers to Summit County.

Snake R Valley twd lower ski slopes Keystone Mtn and Tenmile Range

Loveland Pass

The first is the climb to the top of Loveland Pass. At 11,992' it is the highest all-season pass road in North America. The ecology at the bottom, near Keystone, is alpine forest.

The ecology at the top is sub-artic tundra. The tundra grows very slowly, so please stick to the many worn paths. The top of the pass is 8 mi on US 6 east of Tenderfoot Lodge.

At the onset of World War II, the only paved highway in Summit County lay below Loveland Pass between Keystone and old Dillon.

Lake Dillon Loop

The second must-do is the circum-navigation of Lake Dillon. From Tenderfoot Lodge, head west on US 6. At Lake Dillon Dr turn left to Dillon Marina Park. Leaving this vista, backtrack one block to La Bonte St and turn left. Turn left again on the Dam Rd and cross the high rockfill dam that holds back Lake Dillon. By all means stop at the big overlook beyond the dam and view the Continental Divide to the east and the south. Continue on the Dam Rd to the stoplight and turn left at CO 9. The town of Frisco is worth a tour of its Main St. Continue south on CO 9. Turn left onto the Swan Mtn Rd. Stop at Sapphire Point and make the short walk to the lookout. Return to US 6 through Soda Creek.

Destinations Just Beyond the County Line

Leadville and Vail

The loop through Leadville and Vail offers a variety of scenery, history and Rockies economy. Head up Tenile Canyon and over Fremont Pass. The Pass area is a manmade topology of tailing ponds and a 'glory hole' that used to be a mountain of molybdenum ore. The mine is still active and historic Leadville is still the largest mining town in the state. Follow US 24 over Tennessee Pass and past Camp Hale, home of the Tenth Mountain troops in WWII. Down through Eagle R canyon to Minturn. Head back east to Vail, founded by Tenth Mtn veterans who saw the commercial potential of the ski industry. Cross Vail Pass and shush past Copper Mountain ski resort to retrace the Tenmile Canyon.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

On the other side of Loveland Pass lie two old mining towns connected by a narrow gauge railroad. The larger Georgetown thrives as tourist destination from Denver. Silver Plume is just being discovered. The Georgetown Loop between the two is the best short steam train ride in Colorado. Clear Creek Canyon affords so little operating space that the narrow gauge must loop over itself on trestle to gain the required elevation.

Mount Evans

The top of Mount Evans is only 16 mi from Tenderfoot Lodge. The road there is quite a bit longer. You must go over Loveland Pass and down the Clear Creek to Idaho Springs, then up the Mount Evans toll road. On the top, however, your trusty roadster will be standing on the highest bit of pavement in North America!

Fairplay

Fairplay has what other old mining towns merely claim -- a real historic district. Far from the ski slopes, the townfolk are serious about remembering the surface mining era of the Colorado Rockies. And the dredge tailing piles all around it correctly suggest that the mining era is not in the too distant past. Fairplay lies at the south end of the Hoosier Pass, where CO 9 joins US 285.

Glenwood Canyon

An all day trip on I70 West would take you over Vail Pass and through Glenwood Canyon on the Colorado to Glenwood Springs. The interstate through the canyon is a marvel of civil engineering and one of the most scenic bottom-of-the-canyon road trips anywhere.

Drivers: Please keep your eye on the road. Stop safely at every overlook. We want you back at Tenderfoot Lodge!

real 4WD

Tenderfoot Lodge

Summer Tips