Now that we live in Boulder- the road trips have begun! First was the mountains of Aspen and Breck, then we decided to check out Taos New Mexico, right on the northern border of the state, and making our way back to Boulder we did a pit stop at the Great Sand Dunes NP- as well as spend the night in Colorado Springs so we could explore Garden of the Gods unrushed. We started our 5.5 hr drive Wednesday night, and arrived out our hotel El Monte Sagrado in Taos just in time for dinner. We were ready to eat, and the restaurant at the hotel De La Tierra in the hotel was actually super good- so it all worked out.
Thursday
So we learned pretty quickly Taos is not an early rising kind of town. Not only are there not a lot of choices (the town is tiny!), and most places did not open until at least 8am, and we are early birds. We were anxious to hit the trails, so we did have breakfast back at De La Tierra in the hotel. It was great, but obviously pricey- but the priority was to get going so we had to pay up. We headed from there to Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake Trail, which was about a 40 min drive from the hotel in the Ski area/mountains of Taos. Plenty of parking since you park basically at the ski resort. Took us 4hrs, 15 mins, 2800ft in elevation- our first 13er and it was a beast! When we finally made our way all the way down back to the resort, we immediately hit the lodge for some outdoor dining of soft pretzels and churros, with a ton of water. So good, so needed. After this brutal but amazing hike, we did a swim/jacuzzi sesh at the indoor pool back at the hotel (the pool is not huge but it is heated and 10ft deep- great for diving). From there we showered off, and walked 15mins to dinner at Lambertis- which was cute with a great patio. Food was good, nothing amazing. Then there was a free concert in Kit Carson park, so we checked that out for awhile and hit up Taos cows food truck there for some ice cream (also ok nothing amazing).
Friday
Michaels- a cheap, good breakfast spot 20min walk from the hotel. Also opened at 7am, bonus. It did get super packed super quick- like line out the door packed, so go early.
Rio Grande West rim trail- 1 hr 20 min nice flat walk with great views of the Rio Grande gorge, river, bridge, etc
Ojo Caliente- hot springs resort about an hour away from the hotel. So nice, $70 day pass per person, grabbed lunch there in the restaurant and the cauliflower pizza was bangin. Big pools for swimming, hot small pools for relaxing, all outside so get ready to sweat- good facilities, great way to spend the day.
Aceq in Arroyo Seco for dinner- 15min drive from hotel on the way to the mountains, another tiny little town. Really good Japanese fusion food, however not the best service.
Saturday
Elevation coffee- good for coffee, not for food. Ended up buying zucchini bread to go. Drove to the Great Sand Dunes NP about 1hr 45mins from Taos. You do need to either pay the fee or have a National Park pass to get in. Again go early- there was a car line when we left around 11am. We spent about an hour and a half walking to the dunes from the visitor’s center, checking that out, very cool. From there, we drove another 2hrs 40mins to Colorado Springs and ate lunch at Denver Biscuit Co (always amazing- they have several locations in Colorado). From there, Garden of the Gods. We did the outer loop hike- 6.5 miles/2.5hrs, you get to see it all. Very cool park, and with this hike, you are not in the thick of the crazy crowds.
Airbnb was right by the GOTG
Dinner at Tapateria- 25 min walk from Airbnb, very cheap, gluten free, not amazing food but decent, fast and inexpensive. Colorado City Creamery for ice cream across the street.
Where not to go for morning coffee- Nuema Coffee. Espresso machine was broken, also was attached and affiliated with a weird church. Hard pass.
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