Life at 8,000 feet above sea level requires ample hydration, sun protection and consistent respect of the elements. At approximately 10,000 ft., the wedding venue is located at an even higher elevation than the Town of Aspen. Listen to your body and allow a day or two of acclimation to the altitude if you can. Here are a few tips for your trip:

1. Hydrate
   • This is the best way to adjust to the altitude - low humidity at altitude means that the air is very dry. Plan to drink twice as much water as you do at home.
   • Try to avoid overdoing it with caffeine or alcohol, both of which will hit you harder at altitude.
2. Replenish Nutrients
   • Foods rich in potassium are great for acclimating.
   • Try to decrease your salt intake.
3. Protect Against the Sun
   • The sun at altitude is 25% stronger than at home.
   • Wear sunscreen and a hat at all times when outside. 

HISTORY
Aspen has been booming in way or another for over 130 years. Today you are likely to see celebrities on the streets and Olympic champions on the ski hills but Aspen traces its roots back to humble beginnings. The area was originally a summer hunting camp for the Ute Indians but by 1870 Aspen's first white settlers arrived from nearby Colorado towns in search of silver.

In the winter of 1879,  miners ignored pleas by Frederick Pitkin, governor of Colorado, to return across the Continental Divide due to an uprising of the Ute Indians. Originally named Ute City, the small community was renamed Aspen in 1880, and, in its peak production years of 1891 and 1892, surpassed Leadville as the United States' most productive silver-mining district. Production expanded due to the passage of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890, which doubled the government's purchase of silver. By 1893, Aspen had banks, a hospital, a police department, two theaters, an opera house and electric lights. Economic collapse came with the Panic of 1893, when President Cleveland called a special session of Congress and repealed the act. Within weeks, many of the Aspen mines were closed and thousands of miners were put out of work. It was proposed that silver be recognized as legal tender and the People's Party (populists) adopted that as one of its main issues; Davis H. Waite, an Aspen newspaperman and agitator was elected governor of Colorado on the Democratic Ticket; but in time the movement failed.

Eventually, after wage cuts, mining revived somewhat, but production declined and by the 1930 census only 705 residents remained. Remaining, however, were fine stocks of old commercial buildings and residences, along with excellent snow. Aspen's development as a ski resort first flickered in the 1930s when investors conceived of a ski area, but the project was interrupted by World War II. Friedl Pfeifer, a member of the 10th Mountain Division who had trained in the area, returned to the area and linked up with industrialist Walter Paepcke and his wife Elizabeth. The Aspen Skiing Corporation was founded in 1946 and the city quickly became a well-known resort, hosting the FIS World Championships in 1950. Aspen was now on the path to becoming an internationally known ski resort and cultural center, home of the Aspen Music Festival and School. The area would continue to grow with the development of three additional ski areas, Buttermilk (1958), Aspen Highlands (1958), and Snowmass (1967).

GETTING AROUND TOWN
While most of Aspen’s hotels are within walking distance to downtown, Aspen has an incredible public transportation system that is quick and easy to use. You can venture beyond the city’s borders on the free RFTA bus system. Just ask the concierge at your hotel where the nearest stop is. There are shuttles from Rubey Park transfer station to any of the four mountains. If you are looking to get around town download the Downtowner App to request free rides around town! It’s a great new service. You can also try Uber for rides
around Aspen. Uber does not pick up from the Aspen airport.

Aspen is truly a unique place. One will not be at a loss for activities ranging from recreation to the arts to culinary delights.  Aspen sits at the upper end of the Roaring Fork Valley, with the Roaring Fork River, a superb trout stream, running through town. Much of the area around Aspen is public land within the White River National Forest. The spectacular Elk Mountains rise to the south and west of Aspen, with the Williams Mountains and the Sawatch Range to the east. The Maroon Creek, Castle Creek and Hunter Creek Valleys are all easily accessible from town and play host to plentiful hikes. Much of the high mountain area surrounding Aspen lies within designated wilderness areas in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Hunter-Fryingpan, and Collegiate Peaks wildernesses. 

Nature Trails in Downtown Aspen

Since this will likely be a busy weekend we want to provide some of our favorite ways to explore Aspen without a big "to-do". Both trails are accessible right in downtown Aspen and offer anything from 2 hour bike rides to 10 minute walks.

• East of Aspen Trail
  • One of Aspen's most gradual and scenic trails. This trail parallels the Roaring Fork River Southeast of Aspen for over 3 miles. There is a wildlife-viewing stand along this trail at the North Star Nature Preserve.
  • A helpful map can be found here.
• Rio Grande Trail
  • The trail travels from Aspen to Emma with only a 3.0% change in grade. Really great for an easy scenic bike ride or for a nice walk - highly recommend spending some time here. There are several places to rent bikes in town. In addition there are several bike kiosks where you can rent a bike for 30 minute increments for around $9 (locations can be found here).
  • We suggest entering the trail right around the John Denver Santuary. The entrance is just off of Puppy Smith St. Google maps serves as the cleanest view of where to enter the trail.
    • The John Denver Sanctuary is itself an incredible public area to explore with a rugby field, basketball court, skate park and flower garden.

Biking

If you are looking to rent a bike then we recommend reaching out to Jeff at the Ajax Ski Shop; he'll get you a great bike at a great rate - just mention the Finnigan/Bartlett Wedding.

We have two recommendations for rides:

• Rio Grande Trail
  • It's a really special trail with very minimal elevation change (never greater than 3% grade) - great ride for individuals of all skill level. See above for directions. Rides can vary from 10 feet to 40 miles.
• Ride up Castle Creek Road
  • Great ride with strenuous climbs - turn around point is the ceremony spot, Pine Creek Cookhouse - 28 miles round trip
  • Take E Main St. to CO-82 W
  • At the the roundabout just outside of town take the 3rd exit to Castle Creek Road

Restaurants

Below are a few of our favorites:

• Poppycocks - breakfast only
• Peaches - great for breakfast and lunch
• Paradise Bakery - cookies and gelato - try the oatmeal chocolate chippers!
• Ajax Tavern - lunch and dinner spot at the base of Aspen mountain with outdoor seating and the best lamb bolognese and truffle fries
• CP Burger - quick and delicious lunch and dinner - try the Chicano burger and kale salad
• Meat & Cheese Restaurant - casual indoor and outdoor seating plus a counter where you can buy cheese and the best in-house smoked salmon we've ever eaten
• Pyramid Bistro - phenomenal vegan restaurant. Don't be afraid when you see it is located on the top floor of a book store (Explorer)
• There are also several high-end dining options for those so inclined and generally Yelp is a good source. We have been to and recommend the following:
  • The Steak House
  • Casa Tua

Hiking

Hiking is probably the easiest and best way to get in touch with nature in Aspen.

You can find the perfect hike by going to the following site or with a simple Google search. A few of our favorites are:

• Maroon Lake Scenic Trail - Easy hike with limited elevation change. Great for families or just getting acclimated to the altitude - approximate hike time is 1 hour. Because the area is so popular there is restricted access during the summer. A shuttle runs from the the base of Highlands Ski Resort to the site Friday-Sunday. If you choose to go up on Thursday you can drive up for a $10 fee.
• Ute Trail - Trails starts on Ute Ave. right next to The Gant hotel in downtown Aspen. The sign for the trail is approximately 0.4 miles up Ute Ave. on the right if you are headed east. It is steady uphill with switchbacks, 0.9 miles and 1,000 vertical feet to a rock outcropping. Ideal for a great workout without committing a full day. Not kid friendly for children under 10. Approximate hike time is 1 hour.
• Grizzly Lake - Directions can be found here. The hike is 3.6 miles one way with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. It's a relatively moderate hike with some of the most stunning high alpine meadows and views of the Rockies. Beginning elevation is 10,560 feet. Round trip hike will take approximately 5 hours. This is Tom's personal favorite.
• Cathedral Lake to Electric Pass - Directions can be found here. The hike is 3.5 miles one way with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet. Moderate to difficult hike, difficult if you proceed to Electric Pass. Electric Pass is one of the highest passes in Colorado and provides full 360 degrees views. Truly epic. Beginning elevation is 9,800 feet. Round trip hike will take approximately 6 hours. IMPORTANT: if you choose to hike to Electric Pass, please start early in the morning as the pass is commonly subject to storms in the afternoon.
• If you are truly adventurous and want to cross hiking to 14,000 feet off your bucket list, let us know and we can provide some recommendations.

Fishing

Since neither of us are big fishing aficionados we can't provide you with any recommendations, however, we suggest checking out this link for a list of recommend areas and vendors.

Golf

Guess what? Golf balls travel farther at high altitude so bring your clubs and enjoy some of the best golfing in Colorado.

• Aspen Golf & Tennis Club
  • The Aspen Golf Club was ranked as the #1 Best U.S. Municipal Golf Course in Colorado by Golf Week Magazine three years in a row - 18 hole course - 18 holes w/ cart - $160; 9 holes w/ cart - $86
• Ranch at Roaring Fork Golf Course
  • Small, well-kept 9-hole course about 30 minutes outside Aspen - 9 holes - $21, 2nd round - $10

Spa & Gym

If you are looking for relaxation or a workout indoors, we recommend: 

• JR's - a two-level fully-equipped gym located in downtown Aspen, with a massage center
• The Aspen Club - massage, facials and a full gym in the east part of town 
• Pure Barre - class schedule available online