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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Nugget Creek Hike (June 2011)

This trail starts at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor center. I took the first left onto the East Glacier Trail. It is a loop trail from which the Nugget Creek trail branches off near the midpoint. The East Glacier trail is well maintained and easy to hike with lots of creeks crossing it.

Small Side Creek
 There is also AJ Falls just off the trail.

AJ Falls
Nugget Creek Trail is a less maintained more rugged trail, many walkways are washed out, but not difficult. The bigger creeks have bridges though. I recommend waterproof boots and bug repellant. There's occasional views of the creek, but there's lot of side creeks coming in. 

A Calm Section of Nugget Creek
Near the end of the trail, there is an old shelter by Vista Creek. It is a small shelter with half the roof missing. 

Bridge Over Vista Creek and Nearby Shelter
Just downstream of this spot the creek plunges over a waterfall on it's way down to Nugget Creek. 

Falls Near the End of Vista Creek
Shortly after here the official trail ends. There are some paths here that quickly fade out. I checked out some of them before heading back. 

Nugget Creek Trail Along a Creek in the Alaskan Rain Forrest
There is an unmarked, but obvious trail that is a shortcut to the rest of east glacier trail. If you take this trail, you will miss the viewpoint though. 

Iceburgs Coming Off the Mendenhall Glacier
The rest of East Glacier trail is a scenic walk through the Alaskan Rainforest. Yes, it is a rainforest, a temperate rainforest, so if you go for a hike here, you should have rain gear and bug repellant.

Hike Stats: Distance: 8.7 miles; Starting Elevation: 50 ft; Top Elevation: 1,300 ft

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