Best of the High Country
Best of Summer 2005

Photo courtesy of the Aspen Chamber of Commerce

Best Resort for Summer

Aspen, Colorado Historic hotels and exclusive boutiques aren’t Aspen’s only attractions. It also offers outdoor activities, music festivals and food and wine affairs. For awe-inspiring scenery, go to Maroon Bells. (800) 308-6935 or aspensnowmass.com.

Deer Valley, Park City, Utah Local microbrews and mountain biking kick off summer here. The resort offers hiking, scenic chairlift rides, bike rentals, instruction and guided tours. (800) 558-DEER or deervalley.com.

Banff, Alberta, Canada Book an evening wildlife safari or embark on a helicopter hiking tour into an alpine wilderness. Banff.com.

Big Sky Resort, Montana Fly-fishing enthusiasts flock to the rivers and streams, and brisk currents provide plenty of whitewater rafting excitement. Spend your days hiking on trails in the Gallatin National Forest. (800) 548-4486 or bigskyresort.com.

OTHER FAVORITES: Vail, Colorado; Winter Park, Colorado; Sun Valley, Idaho; Whistler, British Columbia.
Photo courtesy of Denali National Park

Best Hiking

Denali National Park, Alaska Travel the land much like the first explorers did in this largely trail-less backcountry. Spectacular vistas, possible encounters with wildlife and stream crossings await those who take the challenge.   denali.national-park.com.

Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park Hikers are urged to be in good shape for this overnight trek. Teton Crest Trail starts from the valley floor and climbs 4,000 feet to circle Grand, Middle and South Teton. The views are worth the work. grand.teton.national-park.com.

Zion Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah A thrill seeker’s treat. Colorful rock walls soar 2,000 feet overhead, with only a sliver of river separating them. With no designated trail, hikers often have to wade through the river. zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm.

Long’s Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado A rigorous “Fourteener” located 12 miles southwest of Estes Park. Plan to start very early in the day (2 a.m.) to make the 16-mile round trip to the summit and back before afternoon weather turns sour. dayhiker.com/directory/longpeak.htm.

OTHER FAVORITES: Silver Lake Trail, Deer Valley, Utah; The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango, Colorado; Mount Rose Summit, Tahoe Rim Trail, Lake Tahoe, Nevada. 

River Rafting

The Grand Canyon, Arizona There are many rivers in the Grand Canyon, and many ways to explore them. Choose from 1-21 day trips. Call or visit the Grand Canyon’s website for a complete list of companies and their excursions. (928) 638-7888 or nps.gov/grca/river/.

Snake River, Hells Canyon, Idaho An adrenaline surge at the start and a relaxing scenic journey in the middle. The walls of Hells Canyon tower more than a mile above the river. Rafting.com/snake-river-rafting.htm.

OTHER FAVORITES: Salmon River, Idaho; Rogue River, Oregon; Westwater Canyon, Colorado River, Utah

Best Golf Course

The Mountain Course at Cordillera, Vail, Colorado Formerly a working ranch, it encompasses ridges, meadows, forests and a variety of challenges. cordillera-vail.com.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada Eighteen holes of dramatic bunkers and holes aligned with scenic mountain vistas. (780) 852-6090 or fairmont.com/jasper/.

The Dragon, Nakoma Resort and Spa, Graeagle, California A challenging and beautifulcourse with spectacular mountain views and  an amazing landscape. (800) 368-7786 or dragongolf.com.

OTHER FAVORITES: The Mountain Course, Incline Village, Nevada;  Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Golf Courses
Photo courtesy of Cordillera-Vail

Best Food and Wine Festivals

Food & Wine Classic, Aspen, Colorado Noted wine authorities and chefs, tastings, cooking classes. foodandwine.netscape.com.

Telluride Wine Festival, Telluride, Colorado Meet winemakers, master sommeliers and celebrity chefs. telluridewinefestival.com.

Auction Napa Valley, Napa, California Now in its 25th year. Barrel tastings and auction, food tastings. napavintners.com.
Photo by Aurora Ann Palmer, courtesy of White River National Forest

Best Wildflowers

Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado The edges of Maroon Creek become a profusion of petals in June, when wildflowers take over this beautiful but otherwise rocky and barren area near Aspen. stayaspensnowmass.com.

Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona Flowers cover the valleys and hillsides, with a viewing season of February through October. Summertime boasts  blooms on the desert marigold, prickly poppy and Saguaro cactus. friendsofsaguaro.org/flowers.html.

Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park Meadows of lupine, larkspur and wild buckwheat bloom in a floral symphony of color. The wildflower season peaks in June, but all manner of other flowers can be viewed throughout the summer. grand.teton.national-park.com.

OTHER FAVORITES: Mineral Basin, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Utah; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas.

Editor's Pic

Black Hills Rrustic
Sylvan Lake Resort, Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota
Overlooking this sparkling lake (touted as the “crown jewel” of this park), sits another gem—the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Sylvan Lake Resort. Visitors may choose from cozy lodge accommodations or a rustic cabin complete with massive stone fireplace. Native game entrees are specialties of the house in the Lakota Dining Room.
(800) 658-3530 or custerresorts.com.

GET WET
Snake River Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
After a hard day of hiking, the mind and body need a rest. The luxurious lodge rooms here are a great place to begin. Better yet, though, is the 17,000-square foot Avanyu spa, where water therapies are integrated into treatments such as the Mountain Essence Scrub, using dried herbs and flowers. (888) FOR-ROCK or  snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com.