Where to fly in Colorado?

[pcooper114]

Hey everyone, Part 107 pilot here, and I'll be in Denver/Boulder for a football game in August. I'm giving myself a free day the day after to explore and fly, since my family won't be with me and won't be able to complain about me making them sit in the car while I fly. So here's my situation:

I know the I-70 route pretty well between Denver and Silverthorne from a tourist standpoint, but have only flown in a few obvious areas. I'll only have a day, so I want to get in as much as I can while I'm there. I'm thinking the Arapahoe Nat'l forest area will be my best bet, since I'll be in Boulder the day before. Anyone have any suggestions/hidden gems/favorite places to fly? Not opposed to short hikes to get the right shot!

 

[hank970]

If you don't mind heading west on I-70, a three-quarter mile hike up the Grizzly Peak Trail from Loveland Pass (on US Hwy 6, the alternate route which bypasses the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels) would afford great views of Grays and Torreys Peaks, two of Colorado's 14ers, The air is thin at 12,000 feet ASL, but I've flown with no problems on Vail Pass,

 

[pcooper114]

If you don't mind heading west on I-70, a three-quarter mile hike up the Grizzly Peak Trail from Loveland Pass (on US Hwy 6, the alternate route which bypasses the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels) would afford great views of Grays and Torreys Peaks, two of Colorado's 14ers, The air is thin at 12,000 feet ASL, but I've flown with no problems on Vail Pass,

I was thinking the furthest I'd go is Dillon and work my way back, so that would work. But I'm confused - that trail definitely doesn't look 3/4 mile haha