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The [San Isabel] Mt. Evans Region is comprised of mountains, cities, small lakes, deserts, and forests and is located in Colorado. Important places within the destination include the San Isabel National Forest, [the Rocky Mountain National Park], Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, and the cities of Denver, [Loveland], Boulder, Littleton, Lakewood, Aurora, and Longmont. [Activities to do within the San Isabel National Forest include hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, bicycling, rock climbing, hunting, and paddling. Water activities and winter sports are also available.[1]] Mt. Evans is located in the central part of Mt. Evans destination, to the west of the city of Denver. The nature area features alpine lakes, granite walls, and strands of bristlecone pines.[9] Things to do in the city of Denver are things like the Twilight Ghost Tour, the Foothills Explorer Tour from Denver, the Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure, the Denver Ghost Tour, the Bicycle Tour of Downtown Denver, the BEYOND Light Show & Meditation, and Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour.[3] The weather in the region is the warmest from June to September and the coldest in December. It snows the most in October while it rains the most in May. It rains throughout the year while it only snows from October to May. The most popular time to visit Denver is in July, with other popular times being in the summer months.[4]
The [San Isabel] Mt. Evans Region, which is located in Colorado, consists of national parks, mountains, and cities. The Mount Evans area consists of numerous sights and destinations available for tourists. Colorado's highest byway leading through the region offers panoramic views of Mt. Evans. It is recommended to begin the route in the town of Idaho Springs, where the former gold camp is located, enabling tourists to explore the mining history of the local area. The scenic byway then leads alongside the mountain with glacier-cut valleys and rocky peaks. Occasionally, one can spot wild animals, such as Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and marmots, along the way. Other attractions in the local area include the Mount Goliath Natural Area, home of the Dos Chappell Nature Center and Summit Lake Park, to name a pair.[9]
Another prominent nature area within the Mt. Evans destination's border is the San Isabel National Forest [the forest that the region is named after]. San Isabel, combined with other national forests, covers almost 3 million acres that consist of prairies and mountain peaks. It is an eight-hour drive from boundary to boundary that goes through forests and grasslands. Within the San Isabel National Forest are multiple lakes and rivers, along with reservoirs. There are over 385,000 acres of wilderness with multiple trails, including the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and the Santa Fe National Trail. Available activities within the forest include bicycling, climbing, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, picnicking, and paddling. Other things include water activities and winter sports.[1]
The San Isabel National Forest was first created in 1902 and was renamed the San Isabel National Forest in 1907. The northeast side of the border connects to the Pike National Forest, while the northwest side is bordered by the Continental Divide. The Wet Mountains, Sawatch Range, Spanish Peaks, Collegiate Peaks, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains provide scenery within the forest. Elevations range from a low of 5,860 feet to Mt. Elbert's 14,433 feet.[2]
The city of Denver, which is located in the San Isabel Region, has various attractions that people can enjoy, including the Foothills Explorer Tour From Denver, the BEYOND Light Show & Meditation, the Twilight Ghost Tour, Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure, the Bicycle Tour of Downtown Denver, the Denver Ghost Tour, and the Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour. There are many hiking options for those staying in Denver, including guided tours and hikes in the nearby national forests and desert areas. The BEYOND Light Show & Meditation is a one-hour light show that takes place in Denver. Participants are led through a guided meditation that is meant for people of all ages. After the show, guests can go to the arcade and media room. The show is available multiple hours, seven days a week, but is not open until the sun goes down. During the Twilight Ghost Tour, participants are lead through Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood and can learn about the haunted dwellings in the area. A tour will explain the haunted buildings and tell stories about strange and frightening things that have happened within the building. The tour lasts around two hours and is good for large and small groups. The Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure takes you above scenic landscapes on over 6,000 feet of cables. Guests hike from track to track through forests, and the zipline caters toward experienced and inexperienced people alike.[3]
In 2019, Denver received 17.7 million overnight visitors who spent $7 billion. Though tourism has gone down in more recent times due to Covid-19, the money Denver gets from tourism has supported thousands of jobs around the city.[7]
The Mt. Evans Region is located in Colorado and has an overall [circular] rectangular shape. [It wraps around the Rocky Mountain National Park, Vail, the San Isabel National Forest, Byers, and Loveland.] The border of the destination lies between the Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, and continues to the east of Denver, and wrapping around the San Isabel National Forest. Cities within the area include Longmont, Boulder, Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Aurora, Silverthrone, Frisco, and Breckenridge. The landscape consists of mountains, deserts, forests, and cities. [4]
Because of the weather, the best time to visit the destination is from the middle of May to the beginning of October. The weather in the sector fluctuates throughout the year, with the hottest time of the year being from June to September with an average high of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the coldest time of the year being in December with an average low of around 27 degrees. The chance of rain ranges from high to low throughout the year, with the highest chance of rain being at approximately 20% in May. Other months with a particularly high chance of rain are July, June, and April. It snows during the colder months of the year and gets an average of 4 feet of snow in October every year. The months with snow are October, November, December, January, March, April, May, and February. The most popular time to visit the region is in the summer, specifically in July.[4]
Many animals located in the destination dwell in the national forests, including black bears, mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, turkeys, and mountains lions. There are also many species of birds that inhabit the area.[5] Plants that grow well in the state of Colorado and in the area are rocky mountain columbines, Russian sage, yellow alyssums, bronze fennels, zinnias, mountain mahoganies, Cheyenne privets, and Douglas firs.[6]
The San Isabel National Forest, which is located in the southern part of Mt. Evans Region [San Isabel Region], is situated on nearly 3 million acres of land when combined with the other nearby national forests, making it eight hours to drive from boundary to boundary. [The land the San Isabel Region is currently located on was first set aside to become a national forest in 1902.] [It was later named] The area was named the San Isabel National Forest in March of 1907. From its renaming to 1945, the forest continued to grow and expand. Several other forests and pieces of land were added to the forest, making it one of the largest in the United States. The forest is currently administered by three district offices and a supervisor's office.[2]
Prior to the forest's establishment, the area was inhabited by American Indians, homesteading, and Spanish Land Grants. The discovery of gold and silver in the vicinity led to population growth in the area. After the population growth, the national forest was established. Today, there are almost 800 miles of hiking trails, nineteen peaks that reach over 14,000 feet, several ski areas, roads and highways, several scenic byways, campgrounds, and picnicking areas.[5]
The city of Denver, a prominent city in the [San Isabel] Mt. Evans Region, has an explicit history. In 1858, a small group of prospectors from Georgia crossed the great plains of Colorado and made a discovery at the base of the Rocky Mountains: gold. Tepees, tents, wagons, and log cabins were situated along the banks of the South Platte River as people came on foot from all over to try to get gold. People came with their things in wheelbarrows and covered wagons, and some traveled by horseback. A 14,000-foot mountain called Piked Peak was located south of the mining camp and became a landmark and rallying cry for weary travelers. "Pikes Peak or Bust!" became a famous phrase to those traveling to the area.[8]
Besides gold, the land was another feature that was drawing people into the area. If they got there early enough, they got a chance to get personal land. They could also layout city streets and sell the land to those who got to the area later. General William H. Larimer got land on the eastern side of Cherry Creek, laid out a city, and named it after Kansas Territorial Governor James Denver in hopes that it would give him political favor. In 1863 a large fire burned down most of Denver's business district to the ground. A year later, a flash flood swept down Cherry Creek, causing a million dollars in damage and killing 20 people. Shortly after the flood, an Indian war broke out, cutting supply lines and leaving Denver with only six weeks' worth of food. The hardships the citizens of Denver faced made the citizens work harder to not only survive but to thrive. When the Union Pacific Railroad bypassed Colorado on its transcontinental route, the people of Denver raised $300,000 and built their own railroad that met the Union Pacific in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Denver became a boomtown once again, is one of the largest cities in the area today.[8]
Highland Haven Creekside Inn sits along Bear Creek in Evergreen, Colorado, featuring 18 cottages, cabins, guestrooms and one luxury Tree House. Many of the cabins are original to when the first owners of the property built them in the 1800s and 1900s. The Inn can host intimate weddings, receptions, and other events as the property includes a gazebo and courtyard area. The Corporate Events manager, Allison, mentions that the establishment generally has a "romantic environment;" however, it is a family-friendly property. One of the main draws for tourism in the area is downtown Evergreen, which is within walking distance of the Inn. Evergreen Lake also provides a variety of outdoor recreation with the main activities being paddle boarding, ice skating, and fishing.
...Read MoreThe Adagio Bed and Breakfast is a historical bed and breakfast that is located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. Guests are able to choose from six individually decorated rooms that each offer their own assortment of amenities. Gardens and a patio with a hot tub can also be found on the premises. On the property, guests can spend time at the Garagio, where guests are able to smoke Cannabis. According to the owner, the Garagio is one of the few places in the area where guests are able to smoke marijuana. Due to this, all guests who come on the property are required to be over the age of 21. The Adagio Bed and Breakfast is also capable of hosting small events, specifically events that have no more than 60 people in attendance.
...Read MoreGeorgetown Mountain Inn is located in Georgetown, Colorado; a city found south of Rocky Mountain National Park. The business first opened as an inn in 1964, which is when construction on the building was finished. Since 2007, the current owner has been operating Georgetown Mountain Inn. Currently, the hotel offers 33 spaces for the public to reserve throughout the year. Breakfast is provided to each person who is staying at the hotel. The manager and other staff members strive to create a "casual" environment that can help guests relax. Patrons who want to bring their dogs can book one of the pet-friendly units, though it should be noted that not all available rooms are pet-friendly. There are several common areas where guests can gather and spend time, including a heated swimming pool, a hot tub, a lobby, and an outside porch with picnic tables and a charcoal grill.
...Read MoreAllenspark Lodge B&B is a log cabin in Allenspark, Colorado. The lodge is approximately 8,500 feet in elevation and has 12 guestrooms throughout the second and third floors—split between rooms with private bathrooms, shared bathrooms, and "specialty" suites called The Hideaway and The Apartment. The lodge's public spaces include the front desk with a phone booth, a dining room with two tables, a library, a bar, a Great Room with a wood-burning fireplace, and an Owl Cove with movies, TV, and tables for crafts and other activities. Additionally, Allenspark Lodge B&B has books and board games. Outside, a propane fireplace is located amidst a grove of trees, and the surrounding area has many hiking and horseback riding trails. Other attractions include places to ski, river raft, and notable locations such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Roosevelt National Forest, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
...Read MoreBearadise Motel is a rustic motel that can be found in Idaho Springs, Colorado, which is less than a half-hour drive to Denver, Colorado. The motel has a total of six rooms available to the public. Bearadise Motel is pet-friendly and charges no additional fees for guests who decide to bring their pets along for the trip. Idaho Springs is a small town that was initially established as a mining town during the Gold Rush, so there are an abundant amount of mines and museums that house objects that came from the time when the mines were open and processing gold and other precious rocks. One place of interest that saw a lot of action when the mines were operating was the Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel. Denver is close enough to Bearadise Motel that guests can travel to the larger city and spend time at places like Denver Zoo or the Broncos Stadium.
...Read MoreFor the past one hundred and fifty-eight years, Lower Lake Ranch has been running as a place of lodgement and a cattle farm. The ranch is located in Pine, Colorado, with part of the two hundred and thirty acres being a part of the Staunton State Park. The property has a total of ten individual rooms, one lodge, one cottage, and two-family cabins. There are fourteen buildings on the property; some buildings serve the purpose of catering to the many events hosted at the property. Events offered on-site include family gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. Groups and individual guests have access to three lakes fully stocked with fish, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking and outdoor sports.
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