LEADVILLE, Colo. (May 25, 2010) — Summer travelers can find an appealing combination of recreation, history and affordability in Leadville, North America’s highest city, and nearby Twin Lakes. Known for its breathtaking scenery, charming small-town atmosphere and colorful history, the area also offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Travelers can log on to http://www.VisitLeadvilleColorado.com to find vacation ideas or request a free Insider’s Guide. 

“A visit to Leadville and Twin Lakes offers summer travelers a surprising number of choices, from a scenic day trip to an action-packed weekend of hiking and biking, to a relaxing week-long mountain getaway,” said Gail Dunning, Lake County Marketing Action Committee. 

With an average of 310 days of sunshine a year and average high temperatures in the 70s during the summer months, opportunities abound for vacationers:

Hiking, biking and mountain climbing — Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, both reaching more than 14,400 feet, are Colorado’s two highest peaks. A vast network of trails crisscrosses the county, ranging from beginner to extremely challenging. The 11.6-mile all-season, paved ADA-accessible Mineral Belt Trail offers unsurpassed views of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, along with a glimpse at some of the area’s most significant historic sites.

Fishing — The area is home to some of the state’s best fishing, including Twin Lakes, Turquoise Lake, Mt. Elbert Forebay, Crystal Lake, Halfmoon Creek and many smaller lakes and streams. The National Fish Hatchery offers free self-guided tours, fish raceways and nature trails.

Golf — Friendly and affordable Mt. Massive Golf Course, surrounded by the Sawatch, Collegiate and Mosquito mountain ranges, is the highest in the U.S. The 2010 green fees are $23 for 9 holes or $36 for 18 holes. Save by playing before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., when fees are just $18 for 9 holes.

Camping — There are hundreds of campsites in Lake County, ranging from private RV parks, cabins and campsites in and around downtown Leadville to developed campgrounds and dispersed camping at numerous scenic areas through the National Forest Service.

Racing and marathons — The Leadville Trail 100 races, including a 100-mile bike race on August 14 and a 100-mile running race on August 21-22, are among the most challenging in the country. New this year: the Leadville Trail 100 24 Hours of Leadville on September 4. Other competitive events include the Turquoise Lake Half Marathon on June 5, the Lap-the-Lake 50-mile Road Bike Race on June 26, and the Tri-It-High Sprint Triathlon on July 18.

Sightseeing — The Historical Walking Tour of downtown Leadville and the Route of the Silver Kings provide visitors with the chance to enjoy Victorian architecture and the historic mining district. Leadville and Twin Lakes are located on the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway, making the journey itself a treat. The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad takes riders on a two-and-a-half hour journey between downtown Leadville and Fremont Pass, following the headwaters of the Arkansas River, with views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, mine camps, incredible scenery and wildlife.

Museums and historical attractions — Leadville is home to six museums: the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin, the Heritage Museum, the Matchless Mine, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, the Tabor Home and Tabor Opera House. A Passport to the Museums of Leadville will be available at the Leadville/Lake County Visitor Center at 809 Harrison Avenue from May 28 through Labor Day and will include one visit to each museum anytime during the summer. The price will be $30 for adults (ages 13-16), $25 for seniors (ages 62 and better) and $14 for children (ages 5 – 12). Twin Lakes Village has also been designated a National Historic District, featuring a general store, hotel, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and the world-famous Interlaken Hotel, accessible by trail or boat.

Shopping — The Victorian-style streets of Leadville are lined with antique stores, bookstores, bike and ski shops, and specialty stores packed with Western fashions and accessories, gifts, souvenirs, sporting goods, accents for the home, and more. Several galleries feature the works of local and regional artists.

Tenth Mountain Hut-to-Hut Trail System — Huts located in spectacular settings, perched high on mountain ridges with magnificent views, provide a cozy shelter at the end of the trail. This is the most extensive backcountry hut system in North America, with 30 huts and 350 miles of U.S. Forest Service trails.

Located in the geographic center of Colorado on U.S. Highway 24, Leadville is approximately 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. Just 15 minutes from Leadville, Twin Lakes is located at the eastern gateway to Independence Pass, just an hour from Aspen during the summer months. Leadville features antique and specialty shops, restaurants, galleries, and coffee shops, along with lodging options ranging from an elegant Victorian hotel, inns and B&Bs to lodges, cabins, campsites and vacation rentals. At the historic Twin Lakes village, travelers will find B&Bs, lodges, cafés, gift shops and art galleries.  Call 888-532-3845 or go to http://www.VisitLeadvilleColorado.com for lodging information.  

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Media Kits and Photos Available: Contact Mandy Gauldin at 970-945-5534.

About Leadville and Twin Lakes
Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America, is located in the geographic center of Colorado, 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, on US Highway 24, part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway. Once one of America’s richest, longest-lived and bawdiest mining boomtowns, 70 square blocks of the downtown area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark of Victorian architecture. Activities include skiing, fishing, camping, golfing, hiking, whitewater rafting, four-wheeling, biking, museums, historical tours and train rides. Nearby Twin Lakes, located 15 minutes from Leadville at the eastern entrance to Independence Pass, is also a National Historic District and a popular summer destination for camping, boating, hiking and fishing. Go to VisitLeadvilleColorado.com for more information.