Tasting Excellent Local Beer in Ridgeway, Colorado

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This is the last of the three articles I wrote for the website Trazzler which is no longer. It's not a ride or hike, just a stop we made on a rest day between climbing 14ers. Photos are from a trip in 2009 For most, the town of Ridgeway is where your turn to go to Telluride or go straight to Ouray. Just off the main road, there’s the Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery. I had pints of the Stout and the IPA, and tasters of the rest. The stout and IPA were excellent. The Irish Red Ale was better than average. The Blonde Ale and Best Bitter were ok, but I wouldn’t get a pint of them. The food selection is simple, four different Paninis with chips, about $7 each. They also have free popcorn to go with the beer. The pints were $3.75 ($4.25 for the IPA) and tasters are about a dollar. They also had mini etch-a-sketches on all the tables. It's a small place, with only 5 tables and small bar, but has a great pub atmosphere. The Colorado Boy Brewery Ridgeway Has Some Nice Views of the
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Arapaho Glacier Trail (August 2010)

This trail starts from the Rainbow Lakes campground, crosses into the Indian Peaks Wilderness and quickly climbs above treeline. The trail goes along the border of a restricted area where part of Boulder's water supply comes from.

Looking Up the Valley at the Divide

The trail continues to climb until about 12,600 feet where it levels out. After about a mile and a half of going along this ridge, I came around a corner and saw South Arapaho Peak.

South Arapaho Peak

I had seen it from a distance, now it was right there. When I saw it that close I knew had to climb it, again. Even before getting on top of the peak, the views were great. Mt. Neva, just to the south, is a fun mountain to climb.

Mt. Neva and Lake Dorothy

About half an hour later and 700 feet higher I was on the peak. While I was taking a lunch break a marmot came up to where I was.

A Marmot Begging for Food

I was also able to look down on Arapaho Glacier.

Arapaho Glacier

On the way back down, there were a couple of ptarmigans on the trail. They are masters of camouflage in both summer and winter in the alpine tundra.

Ptarmigans on the Trail

The hike was almost 13 miles long and took 6 1/2 hours to complete. Most of the hike was above treeline. South Arapaho Peak has an elevation of 13,397 feet. There is another route up to the peak which is shorter, but it does not stay above treeline as long. I've done both. Which one will you choose?

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