By Vicky Nash, Resort Trends
I have lived in Colorado long enough to know that when adventure calls, you answer – even if you are sixty-something years old and your knees occasionally file formal complaints. So when my biking buddy Heidi, who is fifty-something and equally Colorado tough, suggested we ride the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path, I said yes before remembering that bicycles require pedaling. Fortunately, we had a plan that involved a little modern magic.
The Morning Rollout
To get this party started, we stopped at Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop to pick up our wheels for the day. If friendliness were a sport, their staff would medal. They set us up with two light blue e-bikes that looked like retro cruisers ready for a beach boardwalk. I named mine Bluesy. Heidi named hers Cloud Chaser. We immediately felt cooler than we actually are.
With water bottles, mobile phones, snacks, rain jackets, and plenty of enthusiasm, we headed to the historic Hotel Colorado, our official starting point. At 9 AM, this late-July day was already shaping up beautifully. Temperatures hovered in the mid-70s, the sky was a mix of soft clouds and cobalt blue, and the breeze had that perfect “you’re going to have a great day” energy.
Into the Canyon
The Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path is one of the most memorable rides in the state. We cruised past Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, admired the Community Arts Center, and inhaled the earthy steam drifting from Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves. Just beyond Yampah, the canyon walls began to rise around us, tall and dramatic, as if the route had suddenly opened into a natural cathedral. That is where we spotted our first wildlife of the day: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, complete with babies. The sheep looked at us with the same expression my cat gives me when I try yoga. Just after that, we pedaled through a chain-link-enclosed overpass that formed a tunnel above Interstate 70, with traffic whizzing by underneath. It was oddly thrilling, like riding through a little portal into the canyon adventure.
As we continued deeper into the corridor, the scenery grew even more striking. Sheer cliffs. Rocky outcroppings. Lush vegetation that somehow thrives despite the scars of past wildfires. The Colorado River rushed beside us, carrying whitewater rafters whooping and cheering as they bounced through the rapids near Shoshone. Kayakers followed, slicing through the waves like neon-colored otters.
We passed the Shoshone Hydro Plant, proudly operating since 1909, and the Shoshone Dam, also known as Hanging Lake Dam. The engineering was impressive, and the surrounding landscape made the ride feel even more dramatic.
Animal sightings kept the ride lively:
• Canadian geese waddled along the riverbank, completely unbothered by cyclists passing by.
• A squirrel darted across the path like he had somewhere important to be.
• Two marmots stretched out on warm rocks, soaking up the sun.
• A beaver lodge was tucked neatly along the shoreline.
• Hawks circled overhead, riding the canyon air currents.
• A rainbow trout leaped out of the river in a dramatic display of athleticism.
• The bald eagle we hoped for stayed hidden, but we kept looking anyway.
Scenery, Stops, and River Views
The flowers were putting on a show too. Chicory blossoms in soft purple hues lined the path, and sunflowers turned their bright faces toward us like we were celebrities.
At one point, Amtrak’s California Zephyr rumbled through the canyon, adding a cinematic flair to the morning.
Much to our relief, the route offered several rest areas along the way:
• North Landing
• No Name
• Grizzly Creek
• Hanging Lake
Each stop offered a chance to stretch, sip water, and take in the views from a new angle. When we reached the Hanging Lake Trailhead, we paused to read the interpretive signs and admire the monument. We found a picnic table overlooking the Colorado River and enjoyed a snack while watching the current swirl below us. It felt like the canyon was giving us a private performance.
The Ride Back
Our total ride was about 20 miles in roughly 2 hours. On the return trip, we were extremely grateful for the e bike boost up the hill at No Name Rest Area. Bluesy and Cloud Chaser handled the climb with ease.
By the time we rolled back into Glenwood Springs, we were smiling, slightly sweaty, and completely delighted. Glenwood Canyon is a place that reminds you why people travel from all over the world to experience Colorado. It is beautiful, peaceful, full of wildlife, and just unpredictable enough to keep two laughing cyclists entertained.
Heidi and I agreed that it was one of the most enjoyable mornings we have had in a long time: two Colorado girls, two retro e-bikes, and twenty unforgettable miles through Glenwood Canyon.
