LIVIT Large

Get Lost… Find Yourself

August 21-August 29, 2017 (8 nights)

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When was the last time you were ‘off-the-grid’?

We aren’t just saying, “Turn your phones off.”, either. We mean sitting under the stars and not being able to hear a car… or even see one! Seeing actual wildlife – other than just June bugs! Seeing our creation in perhaps a different way than you ever have before!

If this interests you – then you need to join us!
Get Lost and Find Yourself in the Rocky Mountains of SW Colorado

Meet us in Silverton, Colorado on August 21st and the adventure will begin. Colorado in the summer is like no other place you’ve ever been. On this trip we will:

• Ride 4-wheelers instead of cars
• Hike and camp out under the stars
• Take time to enjoy a 5-Star resort
• Enjoy hot springs and cool crisp air
• See the old mining towns of Colorado
• Get rained on! Probably even see some snow!
• Nap in a hammock!
• Have the ability to fly fish, ride horses, golf, or a myriad of other activities
• And who knows what else we could encounter!

We will be firming up some details over the next few weeks but most importantly:

• Let us know you want to go by July 31, 2017! We will need to pre-pay and reserve some items before the trip.
• Below are tons of details of many of our options – some of these will depend on weather and timing.
• We will likely camp 3 nights. The other nights will be in hotels, motels, B&B’s, or hostels that we designate, but be prepared!
• Whether in a hotel or camping, we are still at a decent altitude, so remember that you will need to stay well hydrated.
• We have provided the LIVIT Get Lost… Find Yourself Checklist so that you will be prepared and comfortable. Plan to bring the items on the list and whatever else you need. The ATVs and Jeeps will carry all this stuff, but still pack very lightly and efficiently.  We are not ‘Glamping’.  😉

Maybe most important: We will re-acquaint ourselves with uncertainty and what it means to be flexible and live in the moment!  Below is our ‘expected’ schedule and order of travel, but due to the nature of this trip and the environment, our plans may change based on many variables and circumstances.

 

Adventure is out there!  Let’s go find it!

 

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COSTS

The full trip is 8 nights: August 21-29; approx $3900/couple & $3100/single.

Don’t worry if you can’t make the full trip; this LIVIT Large has a smaller trip built in!

• The Alpine Loop Backcountry Trails Mini-Trip (5 nights:  August 21-August 26; approx $2700/couple & $2100/single).  HINT:  The cost can be significantly lowered by sharing ATV/Jeep rentals.

Prices include an $80/day meal estimate and a $150/person trip management and guide fee.

 

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For those who need a simplified version of the itinerary, click HERE. For those who love details and descriptions, read on…

 

AUGUST 20

‘Unofficial’ Trip Stop!  The Founders and Executive Team will be road-tripping to our destination. Anyone road-tripping is welcome to join us, as we will start the trip off right with a stop in Pagosa Springs, CO. We will enjoy the 23 natural hot springs in a breathtaking setting at The Springs Resort & Spa. The “Great Pagosah Spring”, which feeds mineral water to the soaking pools, is the Guinness World Record title holder of ‘The World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring’. We will stay the night at either Healing Waters Resort & Spa or Quality Inn.  As this is not an ‘official’ part of the trip, plan to add an additional cost (Approx. $360/couple & $230/single).

 

AUGUST 21

On the first day, we will all arrive in the ‘Heart of the High Country’ and National Historic Landmark, Silverton, CO by Noon (12PM).  Arriving on time is IMPORTANT!  Whether flying or driving, please make your travel plans accordingly.  If you have an ATV or Jeep rental, you will need to pick up it up by 1:00PM.

Secluded above 9,000 feet, Silverton is a place that you (and your heart) will never forget. It is a recreational paradise and perfect combination of supreme natural beauty and magnificent Victorian charm. Around town, there are several great choices for lunch and cool shops to peek inside.

After we get settled in at the Grand Imperial Hotel or the Teller House Inn, we will meet for dinner at Handlebars Food & Saloon. There we will receive the LIVIT Guide to Getting Lost and catch up on recent and upcoming adventures!

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Flying in? You have two choices! You can fly in to Durango, CO at Durango-La Plata Airport (Airport Code: DRO) or Montrose, CO at Montrose Regional Airport (Airport Code: MTJ). You will need to rent a 4WD Jeep to drive into Silverton about an hour away. (This will also be your trail Jeep, so make sure it is 4WD).

IMPORTANT NOTE: For those road-tripping in to Silverton, 4WD ATV or Jeep rentals must be made in advance: Approx $300/day.  In Silverton, San Juan Backcountry has both ATV and Jeep rentals and Silver Summit has Jeep rentals.  Pick up date is 8/21 and drop off date is 8/25.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  For those bringing their own ATV, please refer to Colorado’s OHV regulations.  You must have a Colorado OHV sticker (and they do check).

IMPORTANT NOTE: When booking your lodging, you need to book nights in Silverton for 8/19 and 8/23.

 

AUGUST 22-24
This is where flexibility is a must, as we will be in the Uncompahgre National Forest and the San Juan National Forest on backcountry trails deeeeeep in the mountains! We will travel through breathtaking scenic mountains by 4WD ATV or Jeep for the next three days on the famous Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. You may get the chance to fill your camera up with wildlife such as marmots, picas, magpies, elk, deer, beaver, black bear, mountain lions, lynx, and skunks to name a few! And, if we are lucky, moose! We will have many opportunities for hiking, fly-fishing… and good old-fashioned exploring!  This is your opportunity to experience Southwest Colorado’s amazing high country, while learning the history of one of the world’s most famous areas, notorious for it’s gold rush. We will be traversing old Indian paths that were turned into mining roads. Along the way, you will ooh and aah at, well… everything.

We will head up the trail to Eureka, which is a staging area to start the trip.  Then, up to the ghost town of Animas Forks and up Engineer Pass. We will camp out on the trail.  Lake City, CO is an idyllic pit stop on the off-road trail. Grab ice cream and gas up. (There is a laundromat, if we need it.)  Trails again to Lake San Cristobal to stop for fly-fishing.  Near Cinnamon Pass, we will camp on the creek and fly-fish.  The last day on the trail, we will explore the west side of the trail system and camp wherever we want!

 

AUGUST 25
We will return to Silverton for some much needed R&R.  Our first stop will be to return the 4WD vehicles by 12PM.  Enjoy some leisure time; shopping and good eats await.  Later in the afternoon, we will check into our hotel and then meet for dinner at one of the restaurants in town; maybe The Pickle Barrel or Eureka Station or The Grand Imperial Restaurant.  Who knows?  We’ll decide when we get there.

 

AUGUST 26
If you are on The Alpine Loop Backcountry Trails Mini-Trip, we will give you hugs and wish you safe travels home.

After breakfast at Brown Bear Cafe, we will say goodbye to Silverton and brave the ‘White Knuckle” Highway as we head to “The Switzerland of America”, Ouray, CO. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley and surrounded on three sides snowcapped peaks, Ouray is home to hundreds of miles of historic mining roads, hot springs with stunning views, and the world-famous Ouray Ice Park. Remarkably, two-thirds of Ouray’s original Victorian structures, are still occupied, and have been lovingly restored in order to preserve their turn-of-the-century charm.

After arriving, we will head out for a beautiful hike to Box Canyon Falls.  After the hike, we will grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants in town.  There will be time here for some ‘on your own’ time.  Ouray has great window shopping and good food in town.  Don’t miss Mouses Chocolates!    We won’t miss a chance to soak in the sacred therapeutic mineral pools at Ouray Hot Springs Pool and rest our weary bodies.

 

We will continue on to Ridgway, CO to experience the old west ‘John Wayne’ style, grabbing dinner at the True Grit Cafe.  After a long day of sightseeing, we are headed for an “eye-opening” trip to the clothing-optional, naturalist hot springs.  We will check in and take a soak in Orvis Hot Springs.

 

AUGUST 27
We will take the ‘scenic route’; mountainous views, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks abound as we travel through Placerville, CO and Sawpit, CO into the heart of Telluride, CO!  This National Historic District is both a mix of Old West and Ultimate Luxury! Telluride is known for its year-round activities; and you will be experiencing many of them on this Rocky Mountain getaway!

Telluride is unique as it encompasses both the top of the mountain and the valley. Telluride Mountain Village is a newer resort style location at the top of the mountain and Old Town Telluride is a historic Old West town in the valley. So how do you get around town? Telluride has a complimentary gondola and shuttle service. The gondola connects Telluride Mountain Village to Old Town Telluride; and we will be riding it during our stay taking in gorgeous 360 degree views! The shuttle service is called the Galloping Goose and loops through Old Town throughout the day.

Telluride is a beautifully restored Victorian city that was once a remote mining area and is surrounded by the enormous San Juan Mountains! Talk about “picture perfect”; every direction you look will be the perfect shot. Stroll through the streets and enjoy window shopping or hop into one of the many restaurants. You can’t go wrong with food in Telluride.

On our first day, we will relax and tour the streets of Old Town Telluride.  For lunch, we will grab some pizza at Brown Dog and maybe hit the brewery.   Then, we will check in at The Peaks Resort and Spa. You will walk in and think you’re dreaming when you see the views, so be prepared to pinch yourself. We won’t miss a trip to The Spa at the Peaks to indulge in luxurious massages and spa treatments. They even have an Oxygen Inhalation Lounge, if you need one! Prepare to enjoy an Indo-European inspired menu, themed entrees, impeccable service, and one of the most mind-blowing, spectacular views in Telluride at Altezza at The Peaks.

It’s Saturday night and we will experience the nightlife of Telluride at the ‘Best Historic Bar in the West’, the New Sheridan Historic Bar!

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
We will save the last day for whatever memory you have left in your cameras…

Pack a lunch (and a rain coat)!  Today, we will hike a 4 mile easy-moderate jeep trail to to the spectacular, dizzyingly high Bridal Veil Falls that is the focal point of Telluride and the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. The views are an added bonus when you reach the top of the trail overlooking the Telluride Valley. We will have a picnic lunch in one of the most beautiful settings in the US.

If we have extra time we may even hike the moderate-strenuous trail to Blue Lake, which is a spectacular trip with wildflowers galore! This alpine lake is situated above the tree line at 12,400 feet!

We are sure to be starving after this full day hike, so we will take the gondola to wine and dine (and fill our bellies) at Allred’s Restaurant.  If you are a wine enthusiast, you might squeal in delight to know that this restaurant is one of Wine Enthusiast’s ‘America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants’!

LIVIT won’t see you off without a bang, so get ready to party with your LIVIT family before you say your “See ya laters!”

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 29
After breakfast and a stroll through Mountain Village, we will say our ‘Goodbye’s’.  Partners, Founders, Associates, and Club Members travel home.

 

We had fun!  See you next time!