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City of Basalt Colorado

Colorado is renowned for its beautiful scenery, outdoor recreational activities and fresh, clean mountain air. Cruising down Interstate 70 you are graced with breathtaking views of grand mountains, lush rolling hills and majestic evergreens such as the Ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir. Exit off of I-70 onto highway 82, and you may find yourself in one of the most beautiful and best kept secrets in the state, Basalt , Colorado 81621 .

Less than 200 miles from the State Capital, the little Basalt sits quietly hidden between the Basalt and Sporis Mountains, perfectly positioned at the junction of the wildly beautiful Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers. Though the names of the rivers may sound a bit strange, the majesty and purity of the rushing waters and the surrounding Roaring Fork Valley are nothing to scoff at. This small town of just over three thousand year round residents is centrally located within the Roaring Fork Valley, with easy access to almost any outdoor recreational sport or activity imaginable. Basalt , Colorado 81621 is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise.

No matter what the season, sports and activity abound here. The weather is perfect, the air is pure and the temperatures are mostly mild. Basalt gets approximately fifteen inches of rainfall per year, and about sixty six inches of snowfall during the winter months. Two thirds of the year in this region, you will experience a warm, bright sunny day, with the high temperature in July typically reaching only 81 degrees. The low side, however, is a bit chillier, with the low temperature in January hitting a bitter three degrees.

During the spring and summer months, you can hike along the areas hundreds of serpentine trails, taking in the sights and smells of native Colorado plants such as bold yellow Goldenrod with its vivid flowering tops, or the fragrant, silvery white foliage of the Prairie sage. Wildflowers like the delicate bluish purple Colorado Columbine, the State flower, are not the only eye candy you will find, though. The pristine wilderness areas of the Basalt mountain is year round home to many different and fascinating species of wildlife, including Bighorn sheep, elk and deer. You can gaze in awe at the regal peregrine falcon, as he soars through a cool blue sky. Even black bears live in these woods, so you will want to stay on the trails.

If cycling or mountain biking is your sport of choice, this area is sure to please. Cyclists can take a ride down the scenic Fryingpan Road. This beautiful winding path follows the Fryingpan river. Feel the breeze against your face as you pedal your way past herds of Bighorns, breathtaking views of the mountains and water, and stop and take pictures of the Seven Castles rock formations to add to your scrapbook.

If water play is more to your liking, get your heart pumping with an exciting whitewater rafting ride through the Shoshone rapids, sure to give you the adrenaline rush that you are seeking. Or take your entire family on a relaxing, more leisurely float trip as you wind down and around the graceful curves of the Roaring Fork river.

One of the hidden treasures of Basalt , Colorado 81621 is that it is perhaps one of the best fly-fishing areas in the country. There are strict catch and release programs in the area, so the fish grow and grow, reaching epic size. You had better bring your camera. The waters here are first class, gold medal fishing holes, and people from all over the world come here to relax and cast their lines in rivers that are teeming with fish, including many species of trout, such as rainbows, cutthroat and brown trout. The bonus is that both the Roaring Fork and the Fryingpan River are nestled in between magnificent red rock cliffs. And if that is not enough to satisfy your craving for all things water related, just a few miles up the road from Basalt , you will find one of the purest, most pristine mountain lakes in Colorado , called the Ruedi Reservoir, complete with boat ramps and even more hiking, fishing and camping options.

With thousands of acres of untouched, vibrant mountain wilderness, Basalt , Colorado is a campers dream come true. Camping is yet another outdoor recreational activity that, come spring and summer, takes center stage in the minds and hearts of locals and tourists alike. Campgrounds are dotted in and through the wilderness, some more remote than others. Pick your spot and pitch your tent, then set off down the trails as your head is filled with the songs of birds, insects and animals alike.

In addition to trails, rock climbing and hiking, there are many caves in the area that are available to explore, for the spelunker in you. When you are tired and sore from all of your cycling, hiking, climbing, fishing, and camping, and your find that your muscles are stiffening up, you can visit one of the local hot springs in the area and bathe away your cares in the naturally warm, clean spring water. You will be rejuvenated again in no time, ready to go at it again tomorrow. And if you have never been in a steam cave, then indulge yourself with this unique experience, to top off a thrilling vacation.

For the golfer, there are world class golf courses nearby, each with stunning views of the mountains, perfectly manicured grounds and first rate service. To pamper yourself after a long day at the course, visit one of the areas exclusive day spas for a massage, facial, body wrap, pedicure, or any number of rejuvenating therapies and services that are available. All of this and more can be found in Basalt Colorado 81621 but that is only half the fun. You see, we have not even broken the ice when it comes to winter games.

When the snow falls, the energy in Basalt changes as the temperature drops. It happens every year. The white powder brings a sense of excitement, because when the slopes get slippery, the ski enthusiasts are raring to slap on their skis and come out to play. Not too far away are some of the best ski resorts in the state of Colorado , and locals take full advantage of them. Nearly everyone that lives in Basalt has a large collection of sporting equipment, because this town has it all. Wintertime is skiing time for many snow lovers, and you can find some of the best skiing around in Basalt .

If you are not necessarily into skiing, then there are many other cold weather activities to choose from. There are business in the area that offer tourists the opportunity to take a dog sled ride, as well as guided horse packing expeditions. Come Holiday Season, sleigh rides are a common occurrence in this festive, quaint town blanketed with dusty white snow.

For the high energy snow sport enthusiast, you can try snowboarding on Sunlight mountain. You can even slap on a pair of snow shoes and take a winter hike. The beauty is immeasurable, even in the winter. If you can take the cold, you will be rewarded with a sense of quiet, muffled serenity that you will find nowhere else than on the side of a snow covered mountain. It is awe inspiring. Of course, if you are more into machines than you are using your own two feet, jump on your snowmobile and take off through the Fryingpan River Valley. Or simply break out the sled and slide down the rolling hills. When all of your energy is spent, you can just curl by the fire with your mug of cocoa and watch the big white flakes fall to the ground.

Even if you are not an outdoor recreation enthusiast, though you may find yourself rapidly becoming one, Downtown Basalt , Colorado 81621 offers a quaint, hometown atmosphere, and is home to many unique and interesting art galleries, featuring the works of local artists in the region. In addition, you will find a variety of locally owned restaurants and delis, wine shops, and several unique retail establishments that sell everything from fly-fishing and sporting equipment to kids’ toys and jewelry making supplies.

For history buffs, take a day trip up to the historic Fryingpan Kilns. Each of these seven odd, dome shaped structures were built back in the 1880’s. They were constructed of unfired brick and native stone and their function was that of processing charcoal, which was a hot commodity back in the day. The Fryingpan Kilns were established as a local historic landmark on August 25, 1993.

This town has a lot of heart and soul, and the residents that live here pay the price for it. The median home price for this town is just under two million dollars. The cost of living in Basalt is a whopping 185 percent higher than the U.S, average! So, while it is possible that you may never get to live there, no worries. While you are vacationing in the Roaring Fork Valley area you can opt to stay at one of the beautiful Victorian style bed and breakfasts nearby, offering friendly service and intimate settings. Or you can rent a cabin in the woods and isolate yourselves from the rest of the world for a little while. It really is up to you. This charming small town packs a big punch when it comes to outdoor recreation and it is close enough to a bigger city to have every amenity that one could ask for. Whether you are vacationing in Colorado , or just passing through on your way to another destination, you can stay, play and gaze your days away in this quiet valley that is anything but boring.