Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
road continues on to Crested Butte, but is in very poor condition and is not recommended. Budget three or four
hours for a visit to Crystal.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Basalt
POP 3836 / ELEV 6611FT
Aspen's humble neighbor and down-to-earth little sister has plenty to flaunt. Set at the
confluence of the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers, it's framed by gold-medal trout wa-
ters, making this cute but humble town something of a fly-fishing paradise. Most Aspen
outfitters will bring you down here to cast.
The town is tiny but blessed with a historic main-street strip, plenty of tasty dinin g op-
tions and a couple of cute boutiques (read: not Louis Vuitton or Prada). It's only 20
minutes from the Four Mountain slopes and another 20 to artsy Carbondale down valley.
It's also the gateway to little-visited Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness area.
Activities
Taylor Creek Fly Shop
( 970-927-4374; www.taylorcreek.com ; 183 Basalt Center Circle; rod rental per day $15, half-/full-day trips $275/
350; 8am-6pm) This fly shop, with its prime location on the banks of the Fryingpan River,
has gold-medal trout waters right in its backyard. It rents rods and waders, and offers cast-
ing clinics out back and more detailed instruction on its guided trips.
FISHING
Sleeping & Eating
There are numerous camping options east of Basalt along the Fryingpan River and at
Ruedi Reservoir, including the Chapman Campground ( Click here ) .
Green Drake
(
MOTEL $$
) One
970-927-4747; www.green-drake.com ; 220 Midland Ave; r $89-129, incl kitchenettes $139;
of the most affordable places to stay in the Aspen area, this is a simple and well-run
motel. Suites can fit a family of four, but note that not all rooms have air-con. This was
 
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