Hello,
We live in Golden CO and would love for you to stay with us but we are oot until the 6th of august. I highly Reccomend renting a car and seeing Bryce , Zion, arches - all national parks , Moab is also incredible biking and hiking /running
We also have a little place in vail - it’s a cute mtn town remind me a little of Germany /Switzerland
How long are you staying ? Private message me if you can. We are hiking the tour du Mont Blanc staying in chamonix so I may not have service
1 Like
Hello, welcome to the great American west! I grew up in Lakewood, Co and still live nearby. Since you only have two days between sits, and travel time by car is 11 - 14 hours, that does not leave a lot of time to see stuff. if you drive or bus, going through Salt Lake City would be my choice, then coming on down to I-70 through Colorado (or route through Steamboat Springs, CO), is much more scenic than going on I-80 through Wyoming. A stop in Steamboat Springs, Vail, or Breckenridge would be great. it is cooler at higher elevations this time of year and these ski towns have a lot of summer activities and trails to run. Close to Lakewood, I would suggest world famous Red Rocks amphitheater (runners regularly train there , and many of the Jefferson County Open Space parks for some terrific trails in the foothills not far away from your house sit. Bear Creek Park has miles of trails and you can also run along Bear Creek in Lakewood. Golden, Colorado is next to Lakewood and also has a lot of trails up Lookout Mountain, and along Clear Creek. A little higher up in Evergreen, go to Elk Meadows, or Three Sisters open space parks. Have fun! I am not a runner but we mountain bike a lot on shared trails. No shortage of places to trails run.
4 Likes
As a dual citizen of the US and Australia who lived in Sydney for 7 years, I hear you on the left/right driving issue. Typically, the biggest challenge is pulling out into traffic and turning.
2 Likes
Thank you so much for the suggestions of places to go running while I’m in Lakewood! That sit has a car so I can explore a bit!
Yes, I don’t really want to be spending the whole time driving especially since I’m on my own and not used to driving such long distances. So many factors to consider haha.
Roundabouts are the worst 
1 Like
@Emily2509 - Roundabouts are awesome! I wish they had more of them in the US, instead of traffic lights. Traffic flows much more freely with a roundabout - and they are fun!
1 Like
As a U.S. citizen who has taken many road trips in the western half of the country, and as a frequent international traveler, including driving around southern island of NZ, best to have a car. But it would be costly to rent from Boise and then return to Lakewood.
Looks like you have 2 full days between sits and bus option will take up minimum 23 hrs of commute. Looking at the route, looks like Greyhound transfer is in Green River, which is close to Moab, home of Arches national park. As a nature lover, this park is one of the most other-worldly places though it will be very hot in summer. Canyonlands is also nearby. Otherwise, trails around Salt Lake City probably would be best bet without a car and for bus route.
You could check Craigslist.org under rideshare. I’ve given many rides who are in my route and more recently after I sold my car, I got lucky finding someone who I could ride with to my destination.
Best of luck!
Hello @booklady2 and a warm welcome to the forum.
Thank you for sharing your recommendations. We have friends in Colorado Springs and spent an amazing few weeks in that area before we began house sitting full-time, and went to see Tom Petty at Red Rocks - it was one of the best concerts I’d been to for atmosphere. We also went on several trails in the region. You just bought back some lovely memories!!
We also went up that mammoth set of stone steps (or that’s my memory of it on a hot day) and I can’t for the life of me remember where it was… it has just been repaired. Any ideas where that was? I seem to remember a small town close by.
Sounds like you have a very active lifestyle!!
1 Like
Hi Emily!
I’m a Colorado Girl who also LOVES hiking (not a runner 
). I don’t know where your travels are taking you in Colorado but Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are gorgeous! Pikes Peak is another fav. Fall color will start in September. I’ve been traveling both Internationally and Domestically (leaving Washington and headed to Idaho next!) since February but I’ll be in Colorado for a few months starting mid August. How long will you be in Colorado?
All best,
Tracy
1 Like
Hi Tracy! Thanks so much for the recommendations! I definitely want to do Pikes Peak once I’ve adjusted to the elevation. I’ll actually be in Colorado twice - in Golden starting the 6th August and in Evergreen starting the 2nd of September! I’m really looking forward to it… I’ve always wanted to go to Rocky Mountain Colorado~ If you are there, maybe it’d be fun to do a hike or run together! DM me if you want!
Post Moderated
Agreed!! All trails is awesome!! We lived in Utah for 15 months and traveled all over the west!! The Bonneville flats is awesome. Closer to Nevada bit an incredible sight to see and drive on! Yellowstone would be a must bit you’ll probably need a car! Zion, Bryce are must see national parks. Canyonlands and Moab is a super cool town in Utah with tons of off-roading and you can rent side-by-sides!! Grand Junction, CO. Is a very active area and not that far from Utah! Google hot springs in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado!! Soooo fun and relaxing!! Enjoy and best!!
@Vanessa_A - you’re probably referring to the Manitou Incline. It’s tough - even for this runner!
@Lassie That’s the one!! Thank you. My partner and his friend used them regularly as fitness training for doing 5 of the fourteeners consecutively as a challenge !! I could barely walk them let alone run up them 
