Hi! We’re Lucas and Lyndsay—a creative couple from Columbus, Ohio with a passion for spontaneous adventure and strong coffee. We’re always chasing wild landscapes and meaningful moments. Dead Money Diaries is our way of documenting those experiences—and a reminder to live fully now, while we’re able. It’s part travel journal, part inspiration to spend your time and money on what matters most. Read more about us and the blog.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In September 2021, we took our first real vacation together—a four-day Colorado road trip that would end up being the start of so many things for us. We glamped under the stars in Ouray, hiked cliffside routes in Telluride, and stumbled on places that would later become a large part of our story. If you’re looking for a mix of adventure, scenic drives, and off-the-beaten-path stops, keep reading.
Day 1: From Denver to the Mountains, and Back Again
We landed in Denver on the morning of the 23rd and picked up our rental car—what was supposed to be a Volkswagen Jetta but we upgraded to a Jeep Wrangler because we figured ‘why not?’.
Our plan was to head straight to Rocky Mountain National Park… but we didn’t realize we needed to purchase tickets ahead of time. Lesson learned.
Instead, we pivoted and drove to Estes Park, where we checked out Snowy Peaks Winery and wandered around town.
Snowy Peaks Winery
After that we drove the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway south headed toward Summit Lake. We turned off at Mt. Blue Sky Rd (which is closed in the winter, FYI) and parked at Summit Lake Park. The drive up was stunning—and we got lucky spotting a bunch of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Colorado’s state animal) right along the road!
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
At Summit Lake we did a very short hike called Chicago Lakes Summit Trail to the Chicago Lakes Lookout for an awesome view.
Chicago Lakes Lookout
We made it to Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans), which holds the title for the highest paved road in North America at 14,265 ft. We didn’t go to the observatory at the top, but the views were still unreal.
We caught a beautiful sunset off Route 103 near Chicago Creek Road—before driving back to our hotel in Denver for the night.
Sunset off Route 103
Day 1 Overview
TIP: Timed Entry Reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park are still in effect at the time of writing this article. See here for specific details!
Day 2: Cracked Windshields, Foreshadowing, & Glamping in Ouray
We left Denver early, and on our way west via I-70, we drove past Dillon Reservoir—the exact spot where we’d end up getting married three years (and one day) later. Even crazier, while planning our wedding, we didn’t put it together at first that we had already been in that area before. Definitely a full-circle moment.
We took a quick break to stretch our legs near Frisco at the Gore Range Trailhead, and somewhere along that stretch, a rock flew up and cracked our windshield. That was fun explaining to the rental company.
Chipped Windshield
Our next stop was Ridgway State Park, where we stopped to enjoy beautiful scenery of an alpine lake.
Ridgway State Park
We made it to Ouray by evening and before grabbing dinner at Dead Canary, a cool rooftop bar in the middle of town, we explored Box Cañon. At Box Cañon, we did both the Lower and Upper Falls Hikes, which were short and easy. We made a loop out to the road and returned to our car.
Box Cañon & Dead Canary
Then came one of our favorite parts of the trip: glamping at Basecamp 550. We stayed at tent site 5 (we paid $306 for 2 nights). We had park in a lot off to the side of the tents. The shower building was also off to the side and coin-operated.
The tent was spacious, peaceful, and cozy—and we fell asleep under a clear sky with the Milky Way overhead.
Basecamp 550
Day 2 Overview
TIP: If you plan on staying at Basecamp 550, bring quarters for the showers!
Day 3: Telluride Via Ferrata
This was the big adventure day—our guided Via Ferrata in Telluride, which we booked through San Juan Mountain Guides.
We met our guide, Kurt, in the Bridal Veil Trail parking area near Pandora Mill at 10am. From there, we loaded into a van and wound our way up the narrow and bumpy Black Bear Pass switchbacks to the start where we geared up.
Telluride Via Ferrata
Once we got our gear on, we walked up to the start of the Kroger Via Ferrata—a mix of hiking, climbing, and scaling a sheer cliffside on metal rungs with nothing but a harness, carabiners, and breathtaking views. An unforgettable experience.
The whole excursion took about 4 hours in total—from meeting time to getting back to our car. Total time climbing on the via ferrata was about 2.5 hours.
Telluride Via Ferrata
After we hiked our way back down, we grabbed a late lunch at Cornerhouse Grille in Telluride, then made our way to the Ouray Hot Springs to soak our sore muscles.
Day 3 Overview
TIP: Bring snacks and water for the via ferrata! They provide everything you'll need except for hiking boots/shoes.
Day 4: The Million Dollar Highway
We hit the breathtaking Million Dollar Highway (Route 550) on day four which provided amazing views around every turn. We pulled off the road at the Switzerland of America Lookout Point and the Bear Creek Falls Lookout. We also stopped at the Red Mountain Overlook which we walked around at and read about the history of mining in the area.
Million Dollar Highway Views
A couple miles down the road, we spontaneously decided to turn off at Red Mountain No. 3 Trailhead and follow a dirt road (Forest Rd 825) to explore a less-traveled route with panoramic mountain views. It felt like we had the world to ourselves.
Red Mountain No. 3 Trailhead
Our next stop—Silverton, a tiny historic mining town that looks like a movie set. We explored a bit, saw the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train, and had lunch at the Golden Block Brewery.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train
After that, it was time to head back to Denver for the night before our early flight. The drive back took us through Curecanti National Recreation Area, Salida, and Fairplay—which would later be where we got our marriage license. We also passed Alma, another meaningful future spot. Wild how the universe leaves little hints like that.
Views from Route 50
Day 4 Overview
TIP: Be prepared to spend extra time stopping and admiring the views!
Final Thoughts: Why This Colorado Trip Meant So Much
Looking back, this trip was more than just four days in Colorado—it was the beginning of our lives together. We saw places that would become big parts of our future, took risks, and learned how we travel together. Spoiler—we do travel well together, because here we are writing a blog about all of our travels!
If you’re thinking of planning a Colorado road trip, here’s our advice: Leave time for detours, cracked windshields, and spontaneous stops. That’s where all the best memories come from.