Ben And Erin’s guidebook
City/town information
Check out the "Food" category for specific recommendations in each town. This guidebook is focused on mountain offerings, if you need info about Boulder or Golden let me know :)
Must visit: cute, gritty, hippy, historic mining town. Nearest grocery store and restaurants.
Must-do: the Carousel of Happiness! A super cute, restored historic carousel with animals all hand-carved and painted by locals! It's cheap and so worth a ride, even for adults! You can't help but leave smiling wide. Then, check out the historic train cars, steam shovel, and mining museum.
Also must do: visit Wild Bear Nature Center!
Nederland is famous for its unique local holiday, "Frozen Dead Guy Days" held in March every year. Stroll down 2nd street to find his freezer...
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Nederland
Must visit: cute, gritty, hippy, historic mining town. Nearest grocery store and restaurants.
Must-do: the Carousel of Happiness! A super cute, restored historic carousel with animals all hand-carved and painted by locals! It's cheap and so worth a ride, even for adults! You can't help but leave smiling wide. Then, check out the historic train cars, steam shovel, and mining museum.
Also must do: visit Wild Bear Nature Center!
Nederland is famous for its unique local holiday, "Frozen Dead Guy Days" held in March every year. Stroll down 2nd street to find his freezer...
Mostly a casino town, if that's your thing, but it does have a recently restored main street that's good for a stroll. We do enjoy stopping by Black Hawk Bean & Cream for ice cream and treats.
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Black Hawk
Mostly a casino town, if that's your thing, but it does have a recently restored main street that's good for a stroll. We do enjoy stopping by Black Hawk Bean & Cream for ice cream and treats.
Just uphill from Black Hawk. Another Casino town now, but this famous mining town still has a number of great historic sites and galleries where you can really "dig" into the mining history of the area. The pizza at Dostal Alley is great.
Definitely check out the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, one of the few original opera houses remaining from the Gold Rush of the 1800s that still presents high-quality operas and musicals every year.
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Central City
Just uphill from Black Hawk. Another Casino town now, but this famous mining town still has a number of great historic sites and galleries where you can really "dig" into the mining history of the area. The pizza at Dostal Alley is great.
Definitely check out the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, one of the few original opera houses remaining from the Gold Rush of the 1800s that still presents high-quality operas and musicals every year.
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park has a number of attractions itself, from the Stanley Hotel (scene of the horror film The Shining) to the quaint main street of rustic mountain shops and restaurants. Estes Park is about 1 hour north of the Coffeetime Cabin, but is absolutely worth the drive to visit the town and the National Park.
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Estes Park
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park has a number of attractions itself, from the Stanley Hotel (scene of the horror film The Shining) to the quaint main street of rustic mountain shops and restaurants. Estes Park is about 1 hour north of the Coffeetime Cabin, but is absolutely worth the drive to visit the town and the National Park.
Another mountain town with great history. Tour the Argo mine - once the world's largest silver producing mine. There are excellent local breweries Tommyknocker and Westbound & Down, and Beau Jo's pizza - strongly recommended - it's a mountain of a pizza. Indian Hot Springs is nearby, as is the road to the top of 14er Mt. Evans (open summer only, reservations required).
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Idaho Springs
Another mountain town with great history. Tour the Argo mine - once the world's largest silver producing mine. There are excellent local breweries Tommyknocker and Westbound & Down, and Beau Jo's pizza - strongly recommended - it's a mountain of a pizza. Indian Hot Springs is nearby, as is the road to the top of 14er Mt. Evans (open summer only, reservations required).
Entry-level Hiking
Shorter hikes with less elevation gain. Great for families with kids (but not stroller accessible - you'll need a carrier or they'll need to use their feet) or novice hikers/visitors from lower elevations. These spots are also a great for an introduction to snowshoeing (except Rainbow Lakes, closed in the winter).
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just 10-15 minutes away and features some excellent intermediate hikes. Open year-round for snowshoeing as well. $10 daily vehicle fee.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Panorama Point
760 Flagstaff RdGolden Gate Canyon State Park is just 10-15 minutes away and features some excellent intermediate hikes. Open year-round for snowshoeing as well. $10 daily vehicle fee.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
The easiest hikes nearby - several mostly flat trails from just a few hundred feet to 1-2 miles in a wetland area just north of Nederland. Nearby Caribou Ranch open space is also recommended for exploration. Open year-round for some of the best entry-level snowshoeing in the area.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Mud Lake
The easiest hikes nearby - several mostly flat trails from just a few hundred feet to 1-2 miles in a wetland area just north of Nederland. Nearby Caribou Ranch open space is also recommended for exploration. Open year-round for some of the best entry-level snowshoeing in the area.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
A Mountain Biker's paradise, this network of challenging bike trails weaving through historic mines and former railway grades also has a gentle path perfect for families with a rewarding view of Black Hawk in the valley below.
I recommend checking Mtbproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Maryland Mountain Hidden Treasure Trailhead
Colorado 119A Mountain Biker's paradise, this network of challenging bike trails weaving through historic mines and former railway grades also has a gentle path perfect for families with a rewarding view of Black Hawk in the valley below.
I recommend checking Mtbproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
A charming easy/moderate hike found north of Nederland, this is the perfect hike for families. Stop and rest, play, or picnic at any of the several crystal clear lakes along the trail, or continue higher along a ridge providing spectacular views into the Arapahoe Glacier valley, the off-limits bank of the City of Boulder's water supply. The road to Rainbow Lakes trailhead is a bit bumpy but accessible in any 2WD. Open only during summer months.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Rainbow Lakes Trailhead
A charming easy/moderate hike found north of Nederland, this is the perfect hike for families. Stop and rest, play, or picnic at any of the several crystal clear lakes along the trail, or continue higher along a ridge providing spectacular views into the Arapahoe Glacier valley, the off-limits bank of the City of Boulder's water supply. The road to Rainbow Lakes trailhead is a bit bumpy but accessible in any 2WD. Open only during summer months.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Another favorite of my family's, this 2.5-mile round-trip hike is on a mostly easy slope, following a babbling creek through a cool canyon, passing by Forsythe Cascade and dead-ending into the creek's inlet at Gross Reservoir, the storage tank of the city of Denver's water supply. Open during the winter for snowshoeing.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Forsythe Canyon
Another favorite of my family's, this 2.5-mile round-trip hike is on a mostly easy slope, following a babbling creek through a cool canyon, passing by Forsythe Cascade and dead-ending into the creek's inlet at Gross Reservoir, the storage tank of the city of Denver's water supply. Open during the winter for snowshoeing.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Hiking
Some of the best hikes and views in Colorado! I've hiked pretty much everything listed here, happy to provide trail and conditions insights.
Starting from the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel, hike through magical old-growth pine forest to several potential destinations - from awesome alpine lakes and towering cirques to the continental divide and 13er James Peak itself, if you're up for the challenge. Open year-round for snowshoeing and hike-in skiing (advanced skills required).
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
James Peak Wilderness
South Boulder Creek TrailStarting from the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel, hike through magical old-growth pine forest to several potential destinations - from awesome alpine lakes and towering cirques to the continental divide and 13er James Peak itself, if you're up for the challenge. Open year-round for snowshoeing and hike-in skiing (advanced skills required).
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Open only during summer months, Rollins Pass is a high-clearance-required 4x4 road branching off from the Moffat Tunnel East Portal road. It requires a minimum of 1 hour to travel either direction. The road follows the original railway grade crossing the continental divide before the Moffat Tunnel was opened. There are some nice views of Rollins Valley as the road climbs, but mostly you'll travel through lush pine forests until you reach treeline at Yankee Doodle Lake, and Jenny Lake next. The road weaves further up the side of the mountain until a roadblock leaving about 1/2 mile left to hike to reach the Needle's Eye Tunnel, which is now closed. But you can continue hiking over the tunnel and along the railway grade, across the Devil's Slide trestles, all the way up to Rollins and Corona Pass at the Continental Divide.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Rollins Pass
Open only during summer months, Rollins Pass is a high-clearance-required 4x4 road branching off from the Moffat Tunnel East Portal road. It requires a minimum of 1 hour to travel either direction. The road follows the original railway grade crossing the continental divide before the Moffat Tunnel was opened. There are some nice views of Rollins Valley as the road climbs, but mostly you'll travel through lush pine forests until you reach treeline at Yankee Doodle Lake, and Jenny Lake next. The road weaves further up the side of the mountain until a roadblock leaving about 1/2 mile left to hike to reach the Needle's Eye Tunnel, which is now closed. But you can continue hiking over the tunnel and along the railway grade, across the Devil's Slide trestles, all the way up to Rollins and Corona Pass at the Continental Divide.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
An extremely popular trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, if you go on a summer weekend you will likely need to use the free shuttle provided by the town of Nederland (parking at the trailhead is extremely limited). Trailhead remains open in winter for snowshoeing.
Lost Lake is a very accessible hike for average hikers. A number of more challenging and awe-inspiring destinations await as well - trails to Lake Jasper and Devil's Thumb (which can be seen very clearly from the Coffeetime Cabin!), Skyscraper reservoir, and King Lake (in the valley below the Devil's Slide trestles of Rollins Pass!). These are all much longer hikes, plan accordingly.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Hessie Trailhead
1120 Hessie RdAn extremely popular trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, if you go on a summer weekend you will likely need to use the free shuttle provided by the town of Nederland (parking at the trailhead is extremely limited). Trailhead remains open in winter for snowshoeing.
Lost Lake is a very accessible hike for average hikers. A number of more challenging and awe-inspiring destinations await as well - trails to Lake Jasper and Devil's Thumb (which can be seen very clearly from the Coffeetime Cabin!), Skyscraper reservoir, and King Lake (in the valley below the Devil's Slide trestles of Rollins Pass!). These are all much longer hikes, plan accordingly.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Open only during summer months, drive past the overcrowded Hessie Trailhead several miles further into the Indian Peaks Wilderness to hike to the historic 4th of July Mine and Arapahoe Pass (This trail has been my personal favorite since my childhood!). There's also a spur to magical Diamond Lake, or the challenging ascent and rock scramble to 13ers North and South Arapahoe Peaks.
While Hessie Trailhead is overcrowded and has a shuttle during the summer months, this trailhead is also extremely popular and doesn't get the shuttle service. Parking fills up quickly, plan on arriving early. You won't regret getting an early start for these more challenging hikes, anyway :) Call the local forest service office to inquire on exact road opening/closure dates.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Fourth of July Trailhead
4800 4th of July RdOpen only during summer months, drive past the overcrowded Hessie Trailhead several miles further into the Indian Peaks Wilderness to hike to the historic 4th of July Mine and Arapahoe Pass (This trail has been my personal favorite since my childhood!). There's also a spur to magical Diamond Lake, or the challenging ascent and rock scramble to 13ers North and South Arapahoe Peaks.
While Hessie Trailhead is overcrowded and has a shuttle during the summer months, this trailhead is also extremely popular and doesn't get the shuttle service. Parking fills up quickly, plan on arriving early. You won't regret getting an early start for these more challenging hikes, anyway :) Call the local forest service office to inquire on exact road opening/closure dates.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
A ridiculously beautiful and extremely popular destination in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. A lazy picnic or paddleboard on Brainard Lake would be enough to satisfy any peak-peeper, but the multiple achingly gorgeous alpine lakes, glaciers, and peaks accessible from trails here are the real draw. Moose and more are very often spotted nearby here.
In winter months, the road to the lake itself is closed, but there is still ample parking available for some awesome snowshoeing trails.
Timed-entry reservations are required during summer months, available starting 2 weeks ahead of time. I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
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Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Brainard Lake RoadA ridiculously beautiful and extremely popular destination in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. A lazy picnic or paddleboard on Brainard Lake would be enough to satisfy any peak-peeper, but the multiple achingly gorgeous alpine lakes, glaciers, and peaks accessible from trails here are the real draw. Moose and more are very often spotted nearby here.
In winter months, the road to the lake itself is closed, but there is still ample parking available for some awesome snowshoeing trails.
Timed-entry reservations are required during summer months, available starting 2 weeks ahead of time. I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Peaceful Valley is the access point for Indian Peaks Wilderness trails to Buchanan Pass and Sawtooth Peak, the next valley north from Brainard Lake. Open during the winter for snowshoeing.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Peaceful Valley
Peaceful Valley is the access point for Indian Peaks Wilderness trails to Buchanan Pass and Sawtooth Peak, the next valley north from Brainard Lake. Open during the winter for snowshoeing.
I recommend checking Alltrails.com or Hikingproject.com to familiarize yourself with current trail difficulty and conditions.
Skiing
The closest ski resort to the Denver area, Eldora Mountain is small compared to further-flung resorts, but still has some of the state's best expert terrain and glades in its Corona back bowl. Eldora is part of the Ikon Pass.
Weekends and days with fresh snow have been getting super busy, plan to arrive before the first chair to guarantee a parking spot. They can take care of any gear rental and lesson needs you have, and the lodges aren't half bad for a pint after (or between!) runs. It's about 30 minutes from the Coffeetime Cabin.
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Eldora
2861 Eldora Ski RdThe closest ski resort to the Denver area, Eldora Mountain is small compared to further-flung resorts, but still has some of the state's best expert terrain and glades in its Corona back bowl. Eldora is part of the Ikon Pass.
Weekends and days with fresh snow have been getting super busy, plan to arrive before the first chair to guarantee a parking spot. They can take care of any gear rental and lesson needs you have, and the lodges aren't half bad for a pint after (or between!) runs. It's about 30 minutes from the Coffeetime Cabin.
Sightseeing
The highest paved road in north America! Timed reservations required, open only during summer months. You're basically guaranteed mind-blowing views and mountain goat encounters.
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Monte Evans
The highest paved road in north America! Timed reservations required, open only during summer months. You're basically guaranteed mind-blowing views and mountain goat encounters.
IPW is a vast spine of peaks ranging from James Peak Wilderness on its south side all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park on the north. There are a number of access points for hiking. Camping/backpacking will mostly likely require a reservation and/or a permit obtained through the Forest Service.
My most recommended trailheads are listed separately in the Hiking category.
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Indian Peaks Wilderness
IPW is a vast spine of peaks ranging from James Peak Wilderness on its south side all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park on the north. There are a number of access points for hiking. Camping/backpacking will mostly likely require a reservation and/or a permit obtained through the Forest Service.
My most recommended trailheads are listed separately in the Hiking category.
The first train traveled through this 6.2 mile-long tunnel in 1928, and is still the current route of the famed California Zephyr. In fact, you'll drive over the same set of tracks twice (and under once) if you come to the Coffeetime Cabin via Coal Creek Canyon/Hwy 72. The East Portal is about 30 minutes' drive from the Coffeetime Cabin.
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Moffat Tunnel
County Road 16The first train traveled through this 6.2 mile-long tunnel in 1928, and is still the current route of the famed California Zephyr. In fact, you'll drive over the same set of tracks twice (and under once) if you come to the Coffeetime Cabin via Coal Creek Canyon/Hwy 72. The East Portal is about 30 minutes' drive from the Coffeetime Cabin.
A privately-owned stretch of South Boulder Creek with excellent fly fishing facilities. This is the stream you'll drive across as you turn onto S. Beaver Creek Road from Coal Creek Canyon/Hwy 72. You'll need to book your fishing expedition separately.
Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club
655 Pactolus Lake RdA privately-owned stretch of South Boulder Creek with excellent fly fishing facilities. This is the stream you'll drive across as you turn onto S. Beaver Creek Road from Coal Creek Canyon/Hwy 72. You'll need to book your fishing expedition separately.
The only actual hot springs open to visitors within a day's drive. It's about an hour away, but worth it, and you can visit and eat in the quaint historic town of Idaho Springs on the way.
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Indian Hot Springs
302 Soda Creek RdThe only actual hot springs open to visitors within a day's drive. It's about an hour away, but worth it, and you can visit and eat in the quaint historic town of Idaho Springs on the way.
Food - Nederland
All of these places are locally owned and may have unusual hours, check online or call ahead to confirm you can get what you want.
The nearest grocery store - a bit more expensive for the convenience, but otherwise you're driving more than double the time and distance to shop in Boulder or Arvada or Golden. They're well stocked with anything you'll want. Open only between 8am-7pm however.
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B & F Mountain Market
60 Lakeview DrThe nearest grocery store - a bit more expensive for the convenience, but otherwise you're driving more than double the time and distance to shop in Boulder or Arvada or Golden. They're well stocked with anything you'll want. Open only between 8am-7pm however.
Our personal favorite for years and recently redeveloped, this place has been family run by native Nepalese for decades. What better way to complete your mountain experience than with authentic chai and curry!
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Kathmandu Restaurant
110 N Jefferson StOur personal favorite for years and recently redeveloped, this place has been family run by native Nepalese for decades. What better way to complete your mountain experience than with authentic chai and curry!
The original and best microbrewery in Nederland. I may be biased but several of their beers rank among my all-time favorites.
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Very Nice Brewing Company
20 Lakeview DrThe original and best microbrewery in Nederland. I may be biased but several of their beers rank among my all-time favorites.
Froo-froo pizza (but it really is very good) with a lovely patio when the weather is nice. Expect a wait.
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CROSSCUT PIZZERIA & TAPHOUSE
4 E 1st StFroo-froo pizza (but it really is very good) with a lovely patio when the weather is nice. Expect a wait.
A no-nonsense joint where the locals get their pizza & pint (I prefer it vs. Crosscut).
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Backcountry Pizza
20 Lakeview DrA no-nonsense joint where the locals get their pizza & pint (I prefer it vs. Crosscut).
High elevation bagels and spreads made in-house. The same location morphs into Sobremesa, an excellent modern Tapas spot on weekend evenings.
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Decent Bagel
95 East 1st StreetHigh elevation bagels and spreads made in-house. The same location morphs into Sobremesa, an excellent modern Tapas spot on weekend evenings.
You may be surprised by Thai in the mountains, but it is surprisingly good! Probably because it is owned by the same Nepalese family that owns and operates the Kathmandu Restaurant. It won't disappoint your Thai cravings.
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Ubon Thai Cuisine
155 CO-119You may be surprised by Thai in the mountains, but it is surprisingly good! Probably because it is owned by the same Nepalese family that owns and operates the Kathmandu Restaurant. It won't disappoint your Thai cravings.
The local breakfast sandwich and coffee hangout.
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New Moon Bakery & Cafe
1 W 1st StThe local breakfast sandwich and coffee hangout.
The only local place with gourmet scooped ice cream, and it's good!
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Blue Owl Books & Boutique
176 CO-119The only local place with gourmet scooped ice cream, and it's good!
Barbecue smoked daily and beer brewed in-house. It's good but it might not meet your standards if you're from Texas or another BBQ-crazy hometown.
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Busey Brews
70 E 1st StBarbecue smoked daily and beer brewed in-house. It's good but it might not meet your standards if you're from Texas or another BBQ-crazy hometown.
If you need Mexican food, Tres Gringos fits the bill. The bar is worth visiting on its own ;)
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Tres Gringos
20 Lakeview DrIf you need Mexican food, Tres Gringos fits the bill. The bar is worth visiting on its own ;)
A local brewery focusing on more unique fruity and sour offerings.
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Knotted Root Brewing Company
250 N Caribou StA local brewery focusing on more unique fruity and sour offerings.
Fresh local organic produce and foodstuffs, along with some delicious prepared foods.
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Mountain People's Co-Op
30 E 1st StFresh local organic produce and foodstuffs, along with some delicious prepared foods.
Quintessential local hangout & bar, American-style fare.
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Ned's Restaurant
121 N Jefferson StQuintessential local hangout & bar, American-style fare.
Nederland's best coffee, teas, sandwiches & snacks.
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Salto Coffee Works
112 E 2nd StNederland's best coffee, teas, sandwiches & snacks.
Food - Black Hawk and Central City
Options to eat outside of the casinos.
Black Hawk Bean and Cream
7320 Clear Creek StOur favor spot for scooped ice cream and snacks outside of Nederland.
Pizza and beer, we've never been disappointed here.
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Dostal Alley Casino & Brew Pub
116 Main StPizza and beer, we've never been disappointed here.
House-smoked local BBQ. New location at Crook's Palace is open, call for hours. Not sure if online info about their previous closed location has been updated.
JKQ BBQ
200 Gregory StreetHouse-smoked local BBQ. New location at Crook's Palace is open, call for hours. Not sure if online info about their previous closed location has been updated.
Tiny little shop with local organic produce and foodstuffs, not a full supermarket but certainly has enough to make a few meals. Double-check their hours before planning to shop here.
The Holistic Homestead
972 Golden Gate Canyon RoadTiny little shop with local organic produce and foodstuffs, not a full supermarket but certainly has enough to make a few meals. Double-check their hours before planning to shop here.