broward

Hi can you please help make my first trip to aspen enjoyable. I will be there the last weekend in July, how do I dress in the day and also at night. I don't want to be over dressed and I don't know how warm it is in the day or cold at night. I get into Denver at 5pm and I'm driving to aspen would you leave in the morning or start driving once I land. We planned on taking the scenic route any suggestions.
Thanks

socialworker

Ah, memories....we took a trip to Aspen for the first time exactly 30 years ago at this same time of year. We also landed in Denver and drove the scenic route....Back then, it would get very hot during the day, but usually dry heat, and then would cool off at night, altho not so much that it ever got cold.

I would consider spending the night if you are landing at 5....By the time you get the car and allowing for the fact that planes are not always on time, you may hit the scenic, winding roads when it is dark, hence no scene and more stress.

GBbabe

Landing at 5 p.m. would mean that you would not see very much of the mountains before sundown. So you might consider staying in Denver the first night or just a little ways into the mountains.

By the way, what do you mean by the "scenic route?" I consider all ways scenic, so "scenic route" doesn't tell me which route. If you tell us the route, we might be able to suggest a place between Denver and Aspen to spend the night so you can see everything in daylight.

martym

I second waiting until the next day to drive to Aspen. Or you might consider driving to out of Denver--to Idaho Springs or Georgetown (on the east side of the divide on I-70) or to Dillon right after you go through the Eisenhower Tunnel which goes under the continental divide--also on I-70. http://www.idahospringsco.com/
http://www.townofdillon.com/
http://www.georgetowncolorado.com/

If you decide to do that, I would certainly get reservations for lodging that first night since you will be arriving late.

Then you could have a leisurely drive to Aspen the next day. You can either continue on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs and then take highway 82 to Aspen. Or if driving on a narrow shelf road for a few miles is something you would do, you can take the Independence Pass Road into Aspen--gorgeous scenery. http://tinyurl.com/22eeo2

As far as what to wear in Aspen, the days will most likely be sunny and warm with temps in the 80s and the crystal blue sky overhead--so shorts, capris are fine. Nights will be cooler so bring a light jacket or sweater. Aspen is very informal--not much "dressing up."

virginia

hi broward, i must agree with socialworker. stay in denver (suggest west side of city for better, no commuter traffic in am - well less than driving all the way across the city) or maybe someplace like georgetown or idaho springs or on the west side of the eisenhower tunnel in dillon, frisco or silverthorne. (all right on I70)
you will have a couple hours of light after you leave the airport, but you don't want to do any of this drive in the dark, espcially on your first trip as the scenery on the way up is magnificient.
you have 2 rts to choose from in july. you can take I70 all the way to glenwood springs then head up the canyon to aspen. or you can go south off I70 at the copper mtn exit on rte 91 through leadville (an incredibly scenic spot as you will be surrounded on all sides by 14,000' peaks) to twin lakes and rte 82 to aspen.
the I70 rte is all 4 lane hwy and is driving 65mph+ but it does go past vail/beavercreek and through glenwood canyon which is really pretty and the new road they put through it is an engineering marvel with double decker roads in some spots - they worked very hard to preserve the canyons beauty and to construct the road so that the views are enhanced as much as possible. (not to mention eisenhower tunnel built through the mtn at just over 11,000' elevation, making it the highest tunnel in the world, and at 1.7 miles long the longest in US, and which took 11 yrs to build)
the road through leadville is really dramatic. after copper mtn you'll go up hill to climax mine at 11,360'. they take molybedenum a steel hardener.
then leadville - a bit run down in spots but the views make up for it. then south about 15 miles to rte 82/twin lakes.
then the real ride starts. after a nice drive along the river you will head up hill on switch backs to 12,000'. stop every time the spirit moves you. this road is full of more scenery than you can get tired of in 25 years (this was my experience anyway). go as slow as you like but pull over if others seem to want to go faster than you. drink A LOT of water - this is high elevation. it is best to go To aspen rather than from on this road as you will be driving on the inside lane and there are some looong drop offs which make some nervous. i don't mean to discourage you from this road as it is well gaurd railed and perfectly safe and driven by many. when you come down on the aspen side you will drive along another gorgeous river. stop a few places here too or come back out during your stay and have a picnic lunch at a spot some local will recommend.
now about clothes. probably not a light packing situation. we used to say you needed everything from your bikini to your parka everyday. days will be tank top warm. at night you will probably need a sweatshirt or jacket. early am could be 35-50ish if you run or are up early at all.
there are places you can get dressy for at dinner but it's a pretty casual town.
have a great trip.