Zephyr Lodge Condo -- Area Information

SELF GUIDED AUTO DRIVING TOURS

From the Zephyr Mountain Lodge, go north on Hwy 40.  Just 0.9 mile past the Safeway intersection in Fraser [6.4 mile from the Ski Resort traffic light] turn west [left] on County Road [CR] 5.  Reset your odometer here.  All subsequent readings will be from this intersection.

 Take the first left onto CR 50 -- just .2 miles.  Continue on CR50 for another 1.9 miles to a junction and turn right [odometer reading 2.1].  You are still on CR50 -- also called Forest Service Road [FSR] 139. At about 5 miles you come to beautiful aspen forests.  At about 7 miles you are driving along wonderful subalpine meadows.  Finally, at odometer reading 10.3 you come to a "Y".  Bear right onto CR50/FSR133.   Stay on the main road [bear right at 11.6 miles].  At 21.3 miles you will leave the national forest.  At 24.3 miles you will be back on US 40 [at mile post 199.3].  Turn right to take you to the town of Hot Sulphur Springs -- passing through impressive Beyers Canyon.  Consider visiting the Hot Springs just two blocks away. 

Just before leaving town, turn right on CR55.  Continue on CR55 until you reach Hwy 40 again.  Turn right on Hwy 40 for the dozen miles back to the Zephyr Mountain Lodge.

From the Zephyr Mountain Lodge, drive to US 40 and head north toward the town of Winter Park.  After 1.4 mile and at the bottom of a gradual hill, keep a sharp lookout for a Forest Service road to the right at mile post 222.  [There are only 3 roads to the right, the other two go to a subdivision called Lakota and to a campground.  If you get to the campground, you have gone too far.  The road is narrow, bumpy, and at times unnerving.  But it's perfectly safe for cars.   Please drive carefully as you will see a lot of bicyclists.

From the Zephyr Mountain Lodge, go north on Hwy 40 and continue all the way to Kremmling.  In Kremmling, turn left on CO Hwy 9.  After 2.3 miles turn right on County Road 1 [the Trough Road].  Follow the Trough Road 26.5 miles to State Bridge.  Return the same way, or for an extra 2 hours of variety return through Vail [south on CO 131] or Steamboat Springs [north on CO 131].

If you return via Steamboat, consider a dip in the Steamboat Hot Springs or wildflower viewing along the eastern edge of Rabbit Ears Pass.  [Rabbit Ears Pass is one of the wettest areas of Colorado and therefore explodes with wildflowers in late July and early August].

From the Zephyr Mountain Lodge, go north on Hwy 40 to Granby.  Just past Granby, turn right on Hwy 34.  Continue on US 34 through Rocky Mountain National Park to Estes Park [entry fee is required].  Once in Estes Park, you can return to Winter Park the same way [2 hrs straight driving time] or you can take the Peak-to-Peak highway to Central City, and then I25 and US 40 back to the Zephyr Mountain Lodge [2 1/2 hr driving time].  We prefer making the loop.  Click here for more detailed driving information on Trail Ridge Road.

It is wise to start this trip early in the morning and avoid the crowds and catch the best weather.

To reach the Mount Evans Road from Winter Park Zephyr Lodge, drive south on US40 over Berthoud Pass.  Then drive east on I70 to Idaho Springs.  Take exit 240 and head south.

Double your fun...do Mount Evans AND a goldmine tour or a silver mine tour or a scenic railroad ride.  Of if the weather is nice, do Mount Evans AND a rafting trip on the Clear Creek River.  An adult alternative is a soak in the soothing Indian Hot Springs.  And for a delicious lunch or dinner try Beau Jo's Pizza in Idaho Springs.