Aspen in summer: where the music matches the mountains - includes related summer vacation planner - Last-Minute Vacation '91

Sunset, June, 1991

Aspen in summer: where the music matches the mountains

Since the early '50s, when the Aspen Music Festival, International Design Conference, and Aspen Institute first drew visitors to the "dusty Athens" in the Rockies, Aspen's cultural summers have become richer still. Today, the streets are paved, and the bill of fare is more polished and varied; at any given time, you can choose from dance, film, classical music or jazz, theater, and fine arts and lecture series.

But if cultural activities give the summer experience its sparkle, Aspen's scenic beauty, mining town architecture, and recreational activities set it apart.

Where but in Aspen can you mountainbike in the morning; be whisked by gondola to a mountaintop, hike with a trained naturalist, and return in time for an afternoon concert; then end the day with dinner at one of 90 restaurants?

Best of all, because summer is less busy than ski season, you can drop in on Aspen and nearby Snowmass Village, 12 miles northwest, without a lot of advance planning. Even in busiest August, Aspen is about 70 percent full midweek and about 90 percent full of weekends. (To visit on a weekend, reserve two weeks ahead.)

However, tempting the cultural attractions, save some time to enjoy the Victorian mining town as well as the natural beauty of the area.

Turn-of-the-century architecture

Aspen's history -- every bit as colorful as its scenery -- is preserved in its buildings. Just 10 years after the first miners discovered what became the richest silver lode in history, Aspen had a grand hotel, an opera house, and many Victorian residences. When silver was devalued in 1893, Aspen's economy crashed. But the town lived on. Today, Aspen's downtown buildings, stately mansions, and modest Queen nne cottages have been lovingly restored. Aspen Historical Society is headquartered in the Wheeler/Stallard House Museum (620 W. Bleeker Street), where you can buy a book of self-guiding walking tours ($2.50). Guided tours ($5) leave at 10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Getting to the scenery

You can ride a bus to Maroon Lake, a popular summer destination at the base of the majestic Maroon Bells peaks, named for their color and shape. Because this area has become such a big draw, the Forest Service is restricting car travel there to campers only between June 22 and September 2, and weekends in September. But visitors may take a city bus ($3.50 adults, $1 children and seniors) that departs every 30 minutes between 9 and 5. Call (303) 925-8484 for information on where to catch the bus.

Fishing and wading are discouraged, but you can picnic near the lake or follow an uphill trail 1 1/2 miles to Crater Lake. The last bus leaves the lake at 5:40 P.M.

You can also bike to Maroon (12 miles from downtown). One outfitter, Blazing edals, will bus you and a trailer full of mountain bikes to the lake, take you on a short nature walk, then let you coast down. A picnic meal is included in the fee ($42 for adults, $36 for children). For more information call 923-4544.

Naturalists from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies are on hand at the lake (and at the top of the gondola) to answer questions and lead walks on the hour from 10 to 2. This nonprofit educational organization runs a full program of activities, workshops,and outings for children and adults at nominal cost from its Hallam Lake sanctuary headquarters just west of the post office; open 9 to 4 Mondays through Saturdays. All ages enjoy the 90-minute bird of prey talk held at 11 A.M. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Hallam Lake. For more information, call 925-5756.