Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
SHRINE PASS
Halfway between Copper Mountain and Vail is Shrine Pass (11,178ft), accessed via an 11½-mile dirt road/ski trail
that cuts south of Vail's Blue Sky Basin to link up with the town of Red Cliff along Hwy 24. In summer, this is a
very popular multi-use trail: you can drive it, bike it (three to four hours), use an ATV, and of course go hiking
(Shrine Mountain Trail is 4.2 miles round-trip; the trailhead is 2¼ miles up the road). From Julia's Deck (mile
3¾) you have good views of Mt of the Holy Cross. Biking is the most interesting option as once you hump the
pass (2½ miles in), it's all downhill to Red Cliff. If you have two cars you can set up a shuttle, otherwise sign up
for a bike tour with Bike Valet (
Click here
) in Vail.
In winter this area is known as the
Vail Pass Recreation Area
(day/season pass $6/50) and is equally interest-
ing. It's used by both snowmobilers and backcountry skiers and boarders (often teaming together for the uphills),
but with 55,000 acres of wilderness and 52 miles of non-motorized trails, you should be able to find some seclu-
sion. The forest service grooms 50 miles of trails back here, allowing you to get between Shrine Pass, Red Cliff
and a third access point, Camp Hale (
Click here
)
. Additionally, there are four huts (
Click here
)
in the area (Shrine
Mt, Fowler, Jackal and Janet's Cabin) for overnight trips. It goes without saying that avalanche gear and training
is a must.
To get here, take the Vail Pass exit (190) off I-70, or park in Red Cliff or Camp Hale on Hwy 24. The Minturn
ranger office (
Click here
) has maps and trail descriptions for the area. You must pick up a map before you go; it's
likely you'll get lost without one. In Red Cliff, stop off at
Mango's
(
www.mangosmountaingrill.com
;
166 ½
Eagle St; mains $8-20;
11:30am-late;
) for a meal or drink.
Festivals & Events
Copper Country Arts Festival
(
www.villageatcopper.com/coppercountry
; Ten Mile Circle; Labor Day weekend)
Copper Moun-
tain's much loved country music and arts festival hosts a range of events around the Labor
Day weekend, with arts and crafts exhibitions, pony rides for the kids, and lots of country
music acts on the lineup, although bluesy interlopers, such as Dr John, have been known
to drift in.
MUSIC, ARTS
Sleeping
All Copper Mountain lodging comes in condo form. There are three management com-
panies that manage the condo properties:
Copper Mountain Lodging
(
888-219-2441;
)
,
Copper Vacations
(
www.coppercolorado.com
;
condos from $233;
800-525-3887;
)
and
Carbonate Lodging
(
www.coppervacations.com
; condos from $150;
800-526-7737;
)
.
www.carbonate-real-estate.com
;
condos from $150;
