[NOTE: Images on this post were made today, just after a powerful spring storm surged through the area, leaving a monster pile of wet-cement snow everywhere. Right when you think summer is just ’round the bend.]
Ideally, the landscape and nature photographer is out and about at sunrise and sunset. That leaves the middle of the day to work on images and… to seek out some decent grub!
If you happen to be somewhere along the Peak-to-Peak Highway (Highways 7 and 72) near Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, then there is no doubt where you should go: the Meadow Mountain Cafe in Allenspark (above). You’ll get some great home-made food here, served in a wonderful old wooden cabin complete with an ancient coal/wood-burning stove in the corner. (Beware of the hours: 7a.m. to 2p.m., and they are closed on Tuesdays.) On weekends, they can be very crowded and there is not a lot of space for the descending hordes from Denver–perhaps 50 people is their max capacity, including tables on the fair weather porch.
If you are one to prefer more up-scale haute cuisine (“hot cousin”?), try the Fawn Brook Inn, just up the road a few hundred yards. This 5-star restaurant requires reservations and is only open a few days a week (check their website)…but folks come from far off and wide away to sit at their elegant dining tables… (2017 Update: After 39 years, it looks like the Fawn Brook Inn has finally closed it’s doors… definitely a loss for the community.)
Some other sights in Allenspark:
Either before or after your meal, be sure to fill your water jugs (and leave a small or large donation) at Crystal Spring , the local fount of youth…
Then, maybe you’ll want to stop by and visit “Grizzly” Adams’ little brother, “Brown Bear” Adams, at his austere, 19th century, hand-hewn cabin (Update: likely constructed in 1928–see Susan’s comment below)…
Speaking of cabins, there may be some available here at the impressive Crystal Springs Cabins if you wish to spend a night or two–but I can’t seem to find a solid website for them. There are other lodging possibilities, too, if you poke around on the web…
For vehicle problems, stop by the Allenspark Garage for help and to catch up on local goings on (er… gossip?). Just be sure to clean your boots before you walk in (maybe that’s what the shovel is for?)…
You can’t get much more rustic than the Allenspark Lodge Bed and Breakfast right on the main road in town (not on Highway 7). We’ll be staying here one of these trips for sure. See the link for pics of the historic interior…
Finally, to show the snow depth after this spring storm–and this after almost a day of melting off–here is a piece of local machinery…
Along with good snow-of-the-earth people, there is plenty more in Allenspark, including stables (horseback rides, and a foal born just three weeks ago named “Fiddler”!), a post office, at least one other small cafe/coffee shop, a realtor for your summer cabin purchase needs, and a very unique church.
But… above all, definitely do NOT miss the Meadow Mountain Cafe, gem of the Rocky Mountain Front Range!