Where to Fly In?
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Where to Fly In?
Newbie to Colorado here. Wondering where to fly in if I wanted to climb Mt. Elbert? What is the closest major airport?
- hellmanm
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Define "major airport". The closest one during the summer is probably Aspen or Salida, but the only major airport around is Denver (which wouldn't be that much further away). 95% of the time I'd say to just fly to Denver.
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Perfect. Thanks for the answer, I appreciate it.
- JChitwood
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Leadville is the closest and I think is the highest airport in the US. Aspen is the closest commercial airport. Just fly to Denver and rent a car for $400/day. Gas should be $6/gallon by then $100 to fill up an SUV. Thanks Uncle Joe and Aunt Kammie!
"I'll make it." - Jimmy Chitwood
- headsizeburrito
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Re: Where to Fly In?
I'm hoping that your post is pure sarcasm. But what is NOT is that one does not need an SUV to go to Mt. Elbert trailhead. It's a well-maintained dirt road. So, you can probably cut that gas fill up cost by half. Or by two thirds once adjusted for your sarcasm. And yes DEN is by far the most convenient airport for commercial service options and airfares (until it's time to head home and deal with the insane TSA lines).
- speth
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Someone is asking about taking a vacation to Lake County…?! Better let them know how I feel about politics!!
All I want is to just have fun, live my life like a son of a gun
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Sarcasm or not, it's not even funny to post something like this. Not at this time. Reported.
- Chicago Transplant
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Re: Where to Fly In?
I would agree that Denver is going to be the cheapest for you to fly in to. I live in Eagle County and it might be a shorter drive from our airport or Aspen but the fares are usually a lot higher and you'd still need a rental car for Elbert. Less direct flights in summer as well as our busy season for flying is ski season. If you use the northern trailhead, you can rent a smaller car with a lower daily rate and better gas mileage, just don't tell them you are taking it on dirt roads. Might want to give it a quick car wash before you return it if it gets muddy.
Edit: You could also go for the Black Cloud trail or park at the 2WD (paved) lot on the south road if you don't mind a longer hike. Black Cloud felt like more of a Wilderness experience than the routes on the east side.
Edit: You could also go for the Black Cloud trail or park at the 2WD (paved) lot on the south road if you don't mind a longer hike. Black Cloud felt like more of a Wilderness experience than the routes on the east side.
Last edited by Chicago Transplant on Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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"You are not what you own" - Fugazi
"Life's a mountain not a beach" - Fortune Cookie I got at lunch the other day
- cedica
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Colorado Springs Airport is another option. It’s about the same drive time to the Leadville area during ski season, and if you are staying overnight Buena Vista may be a better deal as there aren’t major ski areas nearby.
- Tornadoman
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Re: Where to Fly In?
Time to add Mr. Chitwood to the ignore list. Life is too short to put up with politics on a mountain webpage.
Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.