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The Georgetown Loop Railroad was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions and a great place to visit in Colorado. This spectacular stretch of narrow gauge railroad was completed in 1884 and considered an engineering marvel for its time. The thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume lie 2 miles (3.2 km) apart in steep, narrow Clear Creek west of Denver. Engineers designed a corkscrew route that traveled nearly twice that distance to connect them, slowly gaining more than 600 feet (183 m) in elevation. It included horseshoe curves, grades of up to 4 %, and 4 bridges across Clear Creek, including the massive Devil’s Gate High Bridge.In 1959, the centennial year of the discovery of gold in Georgetown, the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park was formed by the Colorado Historical Society. The Colorado Historical Society’s chairman negotiated a donation of mining claims and mills, and nearly 100 acres of land. Rail line construction began in 1973 with track and ties donated by the Union Pacific Railroad.
The 3-mile (4.8 km) segment opened on March 10, 1984 and is a restored segment at the upper end of the historic Colorado Central main line up Clear Creek Canyon west of Golden. It climbs approximately 640 feet (195 m) between the 2 towns. The longer main line up the canyon was constructed in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush and was used extensively during the silver boom of the 1880s to haul silver ore from the mines at Silver Plume. The Loop portion of the line was the crowning segment of the line at the top of the gorge and features a 95-foot (29 m) high trestle. The entire line, including the Loop, was dismantled in 1939, but interest in restoration of the Loop segment as a tourist attraction in the 1970s led to the construction of a new high bridge and the refurbishment of the segment, which reopened in 1984.
The train ride includes an optional walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine, located at the halfway point on the railroad. Visitors walk 500 feet (152 m) into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s while guides point out the rich veins of silver and relate the history of the mine.
Passengers board the train at depots located in Silver Plume and Georgetown. Visit www.georgetownlooprr.com for more information.
With laudable Summit County neighbors such as Vail, Breckenridge and Keystone, the town of Frisco often gets overlooked for Colorado mountain staycation travel, but we should be putting “Frisco: The Main Street to the Rockies” at the top of our list.
I fell in love with Frisco a couple of years ago when we stayed just a stone’s throw away from the network of bike paths that wind around crystalline Dillon Reservoir. My very best day ever was when I biked with my young kids around the reservoir and stumbled upon the town of Dillon’s charming farmer’s market (Fridays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through September 2011).
My husband Jamie’s very worst day ever was hauling them in their bike trailer the next day 20 miles round-trip from Frisco to Breckenridge where he attested it was somehow uphill. Both ways.
We all have our moments.
1. The Frisco BBQ Challenge
Last weekend, we hit the Frisco BBQ Challenge. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this meat-lover’s paradise draws top chefs from all over the country. Little Bode devoured a chicken leg as big as his head, Hadley inhaled chocolate-covered bacon and mini-doughnuts and Mama and Papa ate everything else (smoked brisket and pulled pork were the favorites. ) Unique offerings included mac ‘n cheese pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue nachos, a mechanical bull and pig races (our pick Lindsey Lo-HAM was a winner). If you love barbecue and a great time, start planning now for your Frisco, Colorado 2012 staycation plans. It is perfect for Father’s Day!
2. Biking
My very favorite network of paved, non-motorized paths in Colorado originates in Frisco. With more than 80 miles of trails connecting Summit County resorts like Breckenridge, Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail, your family will love exploring by bike. If you need to rent, Rebel Sports offers 24-hour bike rentals. Some of the best mountain biking in Colorado.
On Friday evening, we biked a portion of the 10-mile trail from Frisco to Breckenridge. It was my 7-year-old daughter’s first adventure on her new mountain bike and she squealed with glee as we crossed bridges over the raging Blue River and wound along the serpentine trail. Once in Breckenridge, we nestled up to the firepit as we ate Crepes a la Carte and later leisurely strolled along the popular Riverwalk. The next day, we parked our car at the Frisco Adventure Park and rode to the Frisco Marina where we were thrilled to discover a futuristic playground.
Tip: If your family is up for a mountain biking challenge, the Peaks Trail will take your breath away (literally) with a 1,200-foot elevation gain that winds that the forest over bridges and stumps.
3. Frisco Adventure Park
The Frisco Adventure Park opened December 2010 and adventures are, indeed in abundance. During the summer months, there are loads of hiking and biking trails, the Peak One Disc Golf Course, a free skate park, the Frisco Fun Club (a daycamp for kids 5-12) at the Day Lodge, baseball fields, horse stables for dinner rides, picnic facilities, camping via the forest serves and a free BMX bike park that will have a soft opening on July 4. The Park is located 1/2-mile south of Frisco on Highway 9 overlooking Dillon Reservoir.
4. Frisco Bay Marina
Add mountains and the highest marina in the state (9,091 feet) with over 330 acres to explore by sail, motor or paddle, and you have a recipe for Colorado staycation travel adventure. The Frisco Bay Marina offers rentals, sales and services for everything from sailboats to kayaks to boats. Grab some coconut shrimp or blackened fish tacos on the patio of The Island Grill or cool down with an ice cream sandwich after playing on the Marina’s futuristic playground. Open seven days a week, all summer long.
5. Fantastic Playground
If the futuristic playground at the Frisco Marina (see above) doesn’t float your kids’ boat, Frisco’s Funtastic Funground will. Located on the grounds of Frisco Elementary School (800 E 8th Ave, Frisco), this playground ranked up there as one of my kids’ all-time favorites. A castle in the wilderness, this massive grey structure offers umpteen secret hideouts, climbing walls, monkey bars, tires, swings, slides and so much more.
6. Live Music
Grab a blanket and head over to the FREE Concert in the Park series at Frisco’s Historic Park. The sunset show is held every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through August 18 and features tunes the family will love—from folk to rock to bluegrass.
7. Frisco Kayak Park
Whether you’re a kayak pro and want to practice your rolls and rodeos or spectators like us, be sure to check-out the Frisco Kayak Park. Located on the west end of Main Street, you’ll get the best view of the action from the walking bridge.
8. Fourth of July
On Sunday the 4th, start the day with the Kids Fishing Derby, cheer on the Main Street parade, listen to the pre- and post-parade concerts in the park, and end with the grand finale of Fabulous Fireworks over Frisco Bay Marina, all encompassed by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Check-out Frisco’s Web site for additional information and times. Photo
9. Art on Main Street to the Rockies
On August 13 and 14, this fine art show attracts the region’s best artists who display their treasures on several blocks of Main Street. Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
10. Fabulous Food
Butterhorn Bakery is a must for breakfast lovers and favorites included the popular Eggie Bread (a unique twist on French toast), the Butterhorn Benedict or Frisco Skillet. Also check-out The Lost Cajun, a new restaurant that opened after its Louisiana owners’ popular fishing lodge was temporarily closed due to the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of making lemonade out of lemons, they opted for delicious gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée and beignets. Yes, please. Go here for a full list of Frisco dining options.
Getting to Frisco for your mountain staycation in Colorado: Frisco is located just 70 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70. Visit www.townoffrisco.com for more information.
Visit Loveland Ski Resort in Colorado as we host another free Family Race Day. The race will take place on Firecut off Chair 2 from 10am – 2pm and will be open to skiers and snowboards of all ages and abilities. Come out and race each other for bragging rights and medals and prizes such as Nordica Skis and Burton Snowboards in many different age categories. The race is free and open to everyone. Just sign up the morning of in the Subaru tent at the base area of the Basin. While at the Subaru tent, don’t forget to grab some hot chocolate, rock out to some tunes, and play some fun games!
Loveland ski resort offers great group ski lift ticket discounts and some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.
At one of Colorado’s favorite historic sites in Georgetown the return of steam to the Georgetown Loop was hailed as locomotive No.12 emerges from a major overhaul, wearing a black and silver paint scheme reminiscent of the Colorado & Southern locomotive that once ran over the loop. Come enjoy all the exciting history by visiting and experiencing a real steam locomotive!
Listed below is our upcoming summer Denver train ride specials and Events. Please book early since we have had tremendous response last year.
Returning this year is our Moonlight in the Mountains dinner train. A catered dinner on board our enclosed cars while atop the Devil’s Gate High Bridge divides the mountain beauty of dusk and dark into two unique experiences. Check our schedule for days, times & prices.
For more information about Denver family attractions and historic train rides visit www.georgetownlooprr.com.
