In so many ways, our plans for Colorado in 1999 reflect our pride and passion for our home state. We'll again offer our 7- and slightly-tweaked 10-day cycling adventures in the magnificent San Juans of southwestern Colorado, as well as Classic Colorado, a charter constituent in a growing category of Classic Adventures--the extraordinary programs that have become Timberline's signature experiences. For those seeking a true backcountry off-road experience, look no further than our Hut-to-Hut programs in the heart of Colorado's central Rockies and San Juans Backcountry Adventure (see Mountain Bike Adventures).

San Juans Alpiner

Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) June 27-July 3; Sept. 12-18

Assembly Point: Durango (airline and bus service to Durango; timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)

Tour Cost: $1,295 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

Extravagant rhetoric is unavoidable as we consider our San Juans AlpinerQthere is no other way to describe the awesome and singular beauty of Colorado's San Juan Range. We've obviously extolled the scenic pleasures of the Rocky Mountain West at length, but the San Juans truly are special. Their jagged, snowclad peaks rise dramatically from the valleys and their lush stands of evergreen and aspen are reminders of the snowfalls that can isolate this alpine region during the depths of winter.

The San Juans Alpiner assembles in Durango and we'll ride westward early-morning of Day 1 to Mesa Verde National Park. Once inside the Park, we'll climb from the Colorado Plateau to the high-mesa setting of the beautiful Far View Lodge, where we'll spend our first overnight. We'll spend the remainder of the first day and the morning of Day 2 exploring the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde. We'll leave the park mid-day for the short ride to Dolores and an overnight at the Dolores Mountain Inn. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Anasazi Cultural Center north of Cortez.

We're headed for the heart of the San Juans early-morning of Day 3. We'll tour the old mining towns of Stoner and Rico and then begin our ascent up Lizard Head Pass (10,222') on our way to the magical mountain paradise that is Telluride. We'll spend two evenings at the Viking Lodge and a layover day in this world-renowned retreat with its surreal alpine setting. Among our options for the layover in Telluride are several spectacular above-timberline hikes in the surrounding San Juan National Forest.

On Day 5, we'll trace the course of the San Miguel River as we leave Telluride and ride toward the beautiful town of Ouray. We have a short ride the following day to Silverton, including a spectacular climb to the summit of Red Mountain Pass (11,008') and a thrilling downhill into this quaint 19th-century mining camp. We'll spend our final evening at the historic Wyman Hotel, a restored Victorian masterpiece. Our final day on tour includes ascents of Molas and Coal Bank Passes and a long downhill for our return to Durango.

Total Mileage P 266

San Juans Adventure

Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) July 23-Aug. 1

Assembly Point: Durango (airline and bus service to Durango; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)

Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

The San Juans of southwestern Colorado are without question among the most spectacular collection of peaks to be found among all of the ranges of the Rocky Mountains of North America. That's quite a mouthful when you consider the competitionQthe Canadian Rockies, the awesome peaks of Glacier, the Beartooths and Tetons, just to name a few.

The San Juans have been an integral and extremely popular component of our program over the years. In the course of this 10-day tour, we'll go beyond the parameters of our more leisurely-paced Alpiner.

We'll assemble in Durango and on Day 1 ride into the heart of the San Juans to the quaint 19th-century mining town of Silverton and an overnight at the restored Victorian Wyman Hotel. A short, interesting ride to Ouray is on the agenda for Day 2, including an awesome climb to timberline and the Continental Divide atop Red Mountain Pass (11,008'). It's on to Telluride on Day 3 as we ride the Dallas Divide on the way to this world-renowned Victorian village nestled snugly against the backdrop of several of Colorado's mighty "fourteeners."

The layover day in Telluride that follows is a new addition to this program and provides the opportunity to hike the spectacular Sneffels Highline Trail with its unparalleled views of the awesome San Juans.

A good deal of downhill highlights our ride to Montrose on Day 5 and then it's on to Gunnison the following day, but not before a side trip to the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.

On Day 7, we'll head for the Eastern San Juans as we trace the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River into beautiful Lake City. Slumgullion Pass presents a formidable challenge for Day 8. We're at the Continental Divide atop Slumgullion (11,361') and again a few miles down the road atop Spring Creek Pass (10,901').

The ride from the summit of Spring Creek is one that you will never forget! We've entered the heart of the Rio Grande Forest in a high alpine setting that is indescribably beautiful. We're at the source of the Rio Grande River and at that moment you'll begin to understand the magical aura that surrounds Colorado's Rocky Mountain highcountry.

The Rio Grande becomes a discernible river as it descends below Creede.We'll trace its course to South Fork and an overnight at the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge. On Day 9 one final pass, Wolf Creek (10,850'), guards our approach to Pagosa Springs prior to our return to Durango the next day.

Total Mileage P 488

Classic Colorado

Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) Aug. 13-22

Assembly Point: Boulder (airline, rail and bus service to Denver; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Denver and Boulder prior to and following tour)

Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, round-trip shuttles between Denver and Boulder, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

A truly extraordinary eclectic adventure, Classic Colorado perhaps best expresses the magic that is Colorado. The vibrancy of Boulder; the majestic alpine grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park; the thrill of Trail Ridge RoadQlikely the granddaddy of all alpine cycling experiences; the serenity of Willow Creek; the solitude and expansive freedom of North Park; the magnificent Zirkels; the excitement of Steamboat, Vail and Breckenridge; Colorado River whitewater, Glenwood Canyon and awesome, beyond-timberline Loveland Pass, and on and onQClassic Colorado is a Colorado classic to the core.

In the context of this 10-day odyssey, we'll ride 455 miles on some of Colorado's best cycling roads; we'll climb seven spectacular, named passes and a few additional hills you'll argue deserve to be named. We'll traverse Rocky Mountain National Park from its eastern gate to its western extremity. We'll hike to magical Gilpin Lake in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness north of Steamboat, and spend a second layover day rafting the mighty Colorado through breathtakingly beautiful Glenwood Canyon. And lest you believe that we care little about your creature needs, we'll enjoy the luxurious amenities of three of Colorado's world-renowned ski resorts.

Classic Colorado assembles in Boulder, home of the University of Colorado and training base of many of the world's top competitive cyclists and runners. We'll get a taste of one of Boulder's great training rides on Day 1 as we climb through Left-Hand Canyon to Ward, a 4500-foot warmup for the adventure ahead. We'll ride the beautiful Peak-to-Peak Highway to Estes Park and we'll spend our first night at the elegant, historic Stanley Hotel.

Rocky Mountain Park and Trail Ridge Road will command our attention for much of Day 2. Over the years, we've ridden most of North America's major mountainsQIndependence, Red Mountain, Slumgullion, Cedar Canyon, Beartooth, Logan, McKenzie, and Hurricane Ridge are a few of the more memorable. We believe that Trail Ridge reigns as the premier alpine experience in North America. From the summit of Trail Ridge, at 12,183 feet, we actually descend well over 1,000 feet to reach the Continental Divide at Milner Pass (10,756'). We'll continue on to Grand Lake and a night at the Rapids Lodge before heading into the remote reaches of North Park with a mellow ride over gentle Willow Creek Pass (9683')

Following an overnight in Walden, we'll again climb gently to Muddy Pass (8722'), and perhaps not so gently to the Continental Divide atop Rabbit Ears (9426') before descending into the Yampa Valley and Steamboat Springs. We'll spend the next two evenings at the Inn at Steamboat with its inviting pool and quiet setting near the slopes of Mt. Werner.

Day 5 is our first of two layover days and we'll head north of Steamboat toward Steamboat Lake for a day of hiking in the beautiful Zirkels Wilderness. Our destination is Gilpin Lake, an 8-mile round-trip hike, and we'll hope to soak in the natural hot springs at Strawberry Park on our way back to Steamboat.

Day 6 promises to be our most challenging. We'll trace the course of the Yampa south of Steamboat through an area that poignantly expresses the vast, rugged expanse that is Colorado. We're headed for Vail on this day with a second layover day and an exciting whitewater rafting adventure ahead.

It's back on the bikes on Day 8 and we'll ride the off-road paved trails to the Continental Divide at Vail Pass (10,666') and on to Breckenridge. We'll arrive in Breckenridge early-afternoon with ample opportunity to explore this lively resort community.

The adventure continues on Day 9 with a final visit to the Continental Divide atop Loveland Pass (11,992'). The road to Loveland's summit, virtually abandoned by motor vehicle traffic thanks to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel, is a cyclist's fantasy. It's downhill to Georgetown from Loveland's above timberline summit for our final evening in this quaint 19th-century Victorian village. Our descent along Clear Creek continues on our final day, and we'll cycle to beautiful Echo Lake on the slopes of Mt. Evans before a van shuttle return to Boulder.

Total Cycling Mileage - 455