LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY? LEADVILLE AND TWIN LAKES OFFER APPEALING COMBINATION OF VIEWS, RECREATION AND HISTORY

05-16-2008

 

 

 Leadville and Twin Lakes are ideal for travelers seeking active or heritage-based vacations

 

LEADVILLE, Colo. (May 15, 2008) — Summer officially kicks off Memorial Weekend at Leadville, North America’s highest city, and nearby Twin Lakes. Known for its breathtaking scenery, affordable prices and rich history, the area also offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Leadville and Twin Lakes are located on the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway, making the journey itself a treat.

 

“Summer travelers will find that they have a surprising number of choices when they’re planning a visit to Leadville and Twin Lakes,” said Gail Dunning, Lake County Marketing Action Committee. “We boast the highest golf course in North America; Colorado’s two highest peaks; the state’s largest glacial lakes; more museums than any other town in the state; trails for hiking, biking and four-wheeling; and more than 35,000 acres of Wilderness Area. If that’s not enough, take in a show at the Tabor Opera House, pamper yourself with a relaxing massage, or hop on board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad for a scenic train ride.”

 

With an average of 310 days of sunshine a year, opportunities abound for outdoor recreation:

 

Hiking, biking and mountain climbing — Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, both reaching more than 14,400’, are Colorado’s two highest peaks. A vast network of trails crisscrosses the county, ranging from extremely challenging to paved, ADA-accessible trails.

 

Fishing — The area is home to some of the state’s best fishing, including Twin Lakes, Turquoise Lake, Mt. Elbert Forebay, Crystal Lake, Halfmoon Creek and many smaller lakes and streams. The National Fish Hatchery offers free guided tours, fish raceways and nature trails.

 

Golfing — Friendly and affordable Mt. Massive Golf Course, surrounded by the Sawatch, Collegiate and Mosquito mountain ranges, is the highest in the U.S. The course moves through groves of pine, spruce and fir in the open spaces of the Arkansas River Valley. 

 

Camping — There are hundreds of campsites in Lake County, ranging from private RV parks, cabins and campsites in and around downtown Leadville to developed campgrounds and dispersed camping at numerous scenic areas through the National Forest Service.

 

Racing and marathons — The Leadville Trail 100 races, including a 100-mile running race and a 100-mile bike race,  are among the most challenging in the country. Other events include the Firecracker 5K Run, the Leadville High Altitude Duathlon, Turquoise Lake Half Marathon and Mineral Belt 20K Run.

 

Sightseeing — The Historical Walking Tour of downtown Leadville and Route of the Silver Kings provide visitors the chance to enjoy Victorian architecture and the historic mining district. The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad takes riders on a two-and-one-half-hour journey between downtown Leadville and Fremont Pass, following the headwaters of the Arkansas Rivers, with views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, mine camps, incredible scenery and wildlife.

 

Museums and historical attractions — Leadville is home to more museums than any other Colorado town, including the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin, the Heritage Museum, the Matchless Mine, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, the Tabor Home and Tabor Opera House. Twin Lakes Village has also been designated a National Historic District, featuring a general store, hotel, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and world-famous Interlaken Hotel, accessible by trail or boat.

 

Mineral Belt Trail — This 12.5-mile all-season, paved ADA-accessible trail passes through the historic district and stands of trees and foliage, with access to multiple trailheads. In the winter, the Mineral Belt Trail is groomed for skate skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In warmer months, it’s perfect for hiking, biking or rollerblading.

 

Tenth Mountain Hut-to-Hut Trail System — Huts located in spectacular settings, perched high on mountain ridges with magnificent views, provide a cozy shelter at the end of the trail. The Skinner Hut, Uncle Bud’s Cabin, Tenth Mountain Division Hut and the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut are named in honor the men of the Tenth Mountain Division of the U.S. Army who trained at Camp Hale and Ski Cooper during World War II. Each of these huts may be reached by a direct route from Leadville. This is the most extensive backcountry hut system in North America, with 30 huts and 350 miles of U.S. Forest Service trails.

 

Leadville features a charming selection of specialty shops, restaurants, galleries, and coffee shops, along with lodging options ranging from an elegant Victorian hotel, inns and B&Bs to lodges, cabins, campsites and vacation rentals. At the historic Twin Lakes village, travelers will find B&Bs, lodges, cafés, gift shops and art galleries.  Call 888-532-3845 for lodging information.  

 

Located in the geographic center of Colorado on U.S. Highway 24, Leadville is approximately 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. Just 15 minutes from Leadville, Twin Lakes is located at the eastern gateway to Independence Pass, just an hour from Aspen during the summer months.

 

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Media Kits Available: Contact Mandy Gauldin at 970-945-5534 or mandy@peakcomm.biz.

About Leadville and Twin Lakes
Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America, is located in the geographic center of Colorado, 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, on US Highway 24, part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway. Once one of America’s richest, longest-lived and bawdiest mining boomtowns, 70 square blocks of the downtown area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark of Victorian architecture. Activities include skiing, fishing, camping, golfing, hiking, whitewater rafting, four-wheeling, biking, museums, historical tours and train rides. Nearby Twin Lakes, located 15 minutes from Leadville at the eastern entrance to Independence Pass, is also a National Historic District and a popular summer destination for camping, boating, hiking and fishing. Go to VisitLeadvilleColorado.info for more information. 

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