Crested Butte

From Great Sand Dunes NP, we headed NW to Crested Butte. We (especially Karen) had wanted to go here for quite some time, but it's pretty far from most things, so the stars hadn't aligned. The first part of the drive was through barren flat-lands, but the rest was incredibly beautiful and relaxing ... through mountainous terrain, with wide-open high valleys and narrow canyons.

Crested Butte is one of those high-mountain ski towns that have become year-round playgrounds for outdoor types. Being quite a bit more distant from population centers (and through strict zoning), it has been able to maintain some of it's rustic charm. But you don't have to look hard to see that the rich (and possibly famous) play here. We went on a several hour hike right out of town up a beautiful valley surrounded by large peaks. And the aspens were at peak!! We had hoped for this, but felt very lucky it worked out. Afterwards we had a very delicious pizza, and spent the night at a small lodge.