Good Colorado September trip?

[Stuart Armstrong]

I have time off in mid-September and a flight credit on Frontier. Any recommendations for an area to do 5-6 day trip that is accessible from Denver, preferably without renting a car (not a deal breaker though)?

I am fairly snow averse, so I am thinking that the timing may be too late.

[Paul Magnanti]

How many MPD can you comfortably hike? Also, does this 5-6 day time frame include an acclimation period (strongly suggested BTW!)

As for mid-September, it can be the best time of the year to hike IMO.

Cool crisp nights, gorgeous days, less people, no insects, no t-storms.

Finally, public transit can serve quite well for backpacking in the summit county area
(Airport Bus to Denver, Greyhound to Frisco. Free summit county bus to various areas such as Copper, Frisco, Silverthorne,Breck and for $5 Leadville CO)

[Stuart Armstrong]

I would say probably 15 mpd. 5-6 days would be hiking, 3 or 4 or transit and acclimatizing (seeing that I am at sea level).

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll do some looking.

[Paul Magnanti]

Consider using the Gore Range Trail as a way to connect different trails and locations.

All THs (including both ends) are accessible by the Summit Stage bus mention earlier and make a great way to do a carless hike. The GRT is "only" ~54 miles (counting access trails), but you can easily tack on other hikes and side trips to extend it.

Get some good maps (Trails Illustrated should work #108 and #107 should do the trick IIRC)

More info:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=40689&actid=30
http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/summer/gorran_hkg.htm

Eccles pass in particular is stunning! The Eagles Nest Wilderness alone has a ton of places to see and do.

DIA to Denver:
http://www.rtd-denver.com/skyride.shtml

The Grey Hound station is a hop, skip and jump (well a 5 minute walk) from where the airport bus drops you off and from there you catch a bus to Frisco:
http://goo.gl/maps/hqpc1

OR use CME direct from the airport to Frisco:
http://www.coloradomountainexpress.com/

From Frisco, the Summit Stage bus will take you where you need to go for free:
http://www.co.summit.co.us/index.aspx?NID=586

Hope this helps…

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