From the mountains to downtown, and everywhere in between, our philosophy is simple: clients come first. We believe that if you’re not left with an amazing experience, we haven’t done our job.
With our extensive knowledge of Colorado Mountain real estate you can rest assured that you are working with some of the most knowledgeable and experienced agents in the business. West + Main’s commitment is to provide only the best and most timely information to our clients. We are your go-to source for Grand County area insight and advice.
THANK YOU
Thank you for the opportunity to equip you with helpful information regarding purchasing and selling Grand County real estate. We not only specialize in Colorado’s mountain communities...we live + play here, too! So, we’ve also included several guides to help you make the most of living in Grand County and surrounding suburbs...whether you’re a born-andbred local or are just getting to know our beautiful state, we hope that you will find it useful. Want a recommendation or need a resource? Contact us, we’re here to help with whatever you might need.
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
Everything You Need to Know
Buying a home can be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be very stressful. Understanding the process can really help to make it a smooth and successful transition.
FIND A REALTOR ® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER
Selecting a great team to represent you in the purchase of your new home is critical. There are many great realtors out there, but choosing the one to work with is the most underestimated step in the process. Buying a home is often the largest, most important purchase a family makes. You deserve to be represented by a team who is adept at navigating all the intricacies of the identification of the right property, the negotiation, the transaction, and as well as the closing. Our team is made up of exceptionally well trained, full-time, local experts who will walk you through the process. Our fiduciary duty is to put your interests - financial and otherwise above everyone else’s, including our own. When we agree to work together, it requires clear lines of communication both way. Our clients love us because we will talk them out of purchasing a property that is not right for them just as fast as we will encourage them to buy one that is right for them. Customizing your unique property search provides you with information on homes that are most relevant to your buying experience, without inundating you with information that is not pertinent to your specific situation.
THE HOME INTERVIEW
Listening is one of our superpowers. This isn’t just going to the car lot and picking either a red one or a blue one. We consider ourselves “professional real estate matchmakers” when it comes to fulfilling our clients wants and needs. It’s not just about how many beds and baths you want. We want to find out what’s important to you about having a larger backyard or a mountain view. It’s about sitting down together and taking the time to discover what “the perfect home” looks like for you.
3.
FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL
Whether you’re paying cash or seeking financing, the conversation about how we’re going to get from point A to point B is an important one. If getting a loan, sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds for the stated down payment and closing costs. If paying cash, sellers want to see proof of funds sufficient to complete the transaction.
COMMON PRE-APPROVAL NEEDS LIST:
Most lenders will need these items to get you preapproved for your home loan.
• the last 2 years tax returns
• copies of your most recent pay-stubs
• permission to run your credit
• proof of funds (showing down payment, closing costs and possibly reserves)
MONTHLY COSTS OF OWNING A HOME:
• mortgage (principal and interest)
• property taxes
• insurance
• utilities
• maintenance
• homeowners association fees (if any)
HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD?
Knowing your true budget is very important when buying a home. To determine how much house you can afford, it’s best to start by asking yourself what total monthly payment you are comfortable with. That number, combined with the interest rate and down payment will determine your baseline. We will consult with you and walk you through the process of deciding which financing options are best for your particular situation. Don’t leave yourself short; set aside some money for moving expenses, repairs, renovations,
and perhaps some new furniture. We can recommend excellent Mortgage Brokers to help you with this very important step in the home buying process.
4.
LET’S GO SHOPPING (THE FUN PART)
Now the fun part begins. We get to go shopping. Based on your criteria, we’ll be on the hunt for homes which we think might be a good match. We’ll send you properties to consider and you can send us properties which catch your eye as well. If you have any questions or would like us to adjust the parameters of your search, just let us know. We are constantly networking with other top agents in the area to find coming soon and pocket listings (listings not yet available to the public). If your ideal home isn’t on the market, we’ll go find it.
5.
SUBMIT THE OFFER
Depending on the market, there are many different strategies on how to approach writing the offer. We are experts in helping you craft the best offer to have the greatest chance of getting it accepted. In a multipleoffer situation, there are many things we can do to structure a more attractive offer for the seller. These races are often won by inches, not by miles. In a slower market, we can be more aggressive with our approach. Typically, most offers are written so the buyer has to put an initial deposit (sometimes called “earnest money deposit” or EMD) a small percentage of the purchase price into escrow. This shows the seller that you have skin in the game.
We will give you a sample purchase agreement to read ahead of time so you can ask us any questions you might have. This saves time when it’s go time.
6. NEGOTIATE THE OFFER
Whenever possible, we will present your offer inperson to the seller or the listing agent. Unless we’re told otherwise, our goal is always to get your offer accepted at the lowest possible price and the most favorable terms. The seller can accept, reject, counter, or ignore your offer. Usually, we can expect a counter.
7. DUE DILIGENCE
Most offers will be written with an investigation contingency. This due diligence period is the time when you can perform inspections on the property and get comfortable with exactly what it is you are buying. We strongly recommend you attend the inspections. The average inspection takes about 3 hours. This is your opportunity to put the property under a microscope and discover if anything is wrong with it. You will receive disclosures from the seller to learn about the history of the property. With a condo or townhouse, there will also likely be homeowners association documents and CC&R’s (covenants, conditions & restrictions) to read through and approve.
If there are any unforeseen health and safety issues with the property that were not apparent when we submitted the offer, we can prepare an Inspection Objection. The seller is under no obligation to address these concerns, but it is essentially a 2nd round of negotiations. We will walk you through the process, have detailed conversations and provide advice about how we think you should proceed.
8.
REMOVE CONTINGENCIES
Contingencies are essentially conditions or the purchaser’s ways of terminating the contract without losing any of the earnest money deposit. If you are comfortable with the condition of the property and the appraisal and loan are approved, then it’s time to remove all contingencies. Contingencies can be removed one at a time or all at once. This is VERY IMPORTANT! If you remove all of your remaining contingencies and, for whatever reason, don’t proceed with the transaction, you are putting your earnest money deposit (usually 3% of the purchase price) at risk. Most buyers elect to do a final walk through before loan docs go to the title company and for you to come in for signing. This is done to verify the condition of the property and to make sure that any repair items agreed to were performed to your satisfaction.
9.
LOAN DOCUMENTS
You’re almost home. Now that you know you’re moving forward with the transaction, the remaining steps are for your lender to prepare the loan docs for your review. You will be expected to deliver your down payment when you come to the closing.
FIND A REALTOR ® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER.
THE HOME INTERVIEW.
10.
BEFORE YOU MOVE IN:
UTILITIES
Don’t forget to change the utilities to your name starting the day of possession. This includes your phone, cable, internet, power, and gas services. Also, remember to cancel the utilities at your previous residence. Water is the only utility transferred at closing by the title company.
MOVERS
If you are using professional movers, book early. They are often booked several weeks out.
MAIL FORWARDING
Selecting a great team to represent you in the purchase of your new home is critical. There are many great realtors out there, but choosing who to work with is the most underestimated step in the process. Buying a home is often the largest, most important purchase a family can make. You deserve to be represented by a team who is adept at navigating all the intricacies of the identification of the right property, the negotiation, the transaction as well as the closing. Our team is made up of exceptionally well-trained, full-time local experts who will walk you through the process. Our fiduciary duty is to put your interests (financial and otherwise) above everyone else’s (including our own). When we agree to work together, it requires clear lines of communication both way. Our clients love us because we will talk them out of purchasing a property that is not right for them just as fast as we will talk them into one that is right for them. Customizing your unique property search provides you with information on homes that are most relevant to your buying experience, without inundating you with information that is not pertinent to your specific situation.
Gather all your bills, statements, tax information, healthcare information, and anything you make automatic payments on. Sit down and make a list of these things early, because you don’t want to forget any. It’s time to start giving out your new mailing address. You might also want to have your mail forwarded through the post office.
CLEANING
Most people want to move into a freshly clean home. Now is the time to schedule a cleaning crew to give the property a good, deep cleaning before moving in.
Listening is one of our super-powers. This isn’t just going to the car lot and picking either a red one or a blue one. We consider ourselves “professional real estate matchmakers” when it comes to discussing our clients wants and needs. It’s not just about how many beds and baths you want. We want to find out what’s important to you about having a larger backyard or an ocean view. It’s about sitting down and really taking the time to discover what “the perfect home” looks like for you.
11.
3.
MOVING DAY!
FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL.
Finally, the day we have all been waiting for! Once you have received the keys and possession is officially transferred, you are free to move in and enjoy your new home.
Whether you’re paying cash or seeking financing, the conversation about how we’re going to get from point A to point B is an important one. If getting a loan, sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds for the stated downpayment and closing costs. If paying cash, sellers want to see proof of funds sufficient to complete the transaction.
BUYER INSPECTIONS
It’s critical to take advantage of the opportunity to perform routine inspections on a property you are considering purchasing. Inspectors are experienced, trained professionals hired to put the house under a microscope and find common problems, malfunctions and/or defects in the property. Below is a list of some of the inspections buyers may choose to do:
• PHYSICAL INSPECTION
• RADON INSPECTION
• SEWER LINE SCOPING
• ROOF INSPECTION
• STRUCTURAL OR GEOLOGICAL INSPECTION
• HVAC INSPECTION
• WELL + SEPTIC INSPECTION
REQUEST FOR REPAIRS
The next step is to review the reports and decide whether or not there are any unforeseen health and safety items we’d like to ask the seller to correct. Although this is often the 2nd round of negotiations between buyers and sellers, it’s also a time when deals come to a stalemate. Here we recommend keeping the big picture in mind.
Colorado Mountains West + Main Homes
TYPICAL CLOSING TIMELINE
A title company is a neutral third party whose primary job is to prepare and execute the mutual instructions of the parties involved for closing. They ensure free and clear title and prepare all docs for closing. Here is a typical timeline for an escrow:
TYPICAL BUYER CLOSING COSTS
Although everything is negotiable in real estate, a buyer can generally expect to pay for many of these common buyer’s closing costs:
• “lender’s” title insurance policy premium
• title closing fee
• document preparation (if applicable)
• recording charges for all documents in buyer’s name
• all new loan charges (except those required by lender for seller to pay)
• interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment date
• assumption or change of records fee for takeover of existing loan
• beneficiary statement fee for assumption of existing loan
• inspection fees
• home warranty (defined by contract)
• city transfer or conveyance tax (defined by contract)
ACCEPTANCE DATE - All milestones in the timeline start from the Date Of Acceptance which occurs when the executed purchase agreement is delivered to the other party.
EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT - Also called the “Initial Deposit” is usually due 24 hrs after acceptance.
SELLERS DISCLOSURES - Usually due 7 days after acceptance.
BUYER’S INVESTIGATION - Buyer completes all due diligence, inspections and approves of reports such as disclosures and homeowner’s association rules.
CONTINGENCY REMOVAL - When satisfied, buyer removes inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, loan contingency and any others. It is very important to discuss the removal of contingencies with your agent because at some point, the earnest money deposit could be at risk, if the buyer doesn’t proceed with the transaction and no longer has any contingencies in place.
FINAL WALKTHROUGH - This is the buyer’s opportunity to verify that the property is in substantially the same condition as when they first wrote the offer. This usually occurs within 5 days of the expected closing date.
LOAN DOCS - Buyer signs loan docs at the closing table, having had the chance to review them in advance.
LOAN FUNDS - The lender receives the loan docs and funds the loan.
POSSESSION - Keys are typically transferred to the buyer at the closing table, unless there is delayed possession or a rent-back that has been agreed upon.
THE HOME
Get Top Dollar with Top-Notch Marketing
OUR PROMISE
We promise to provide our clients a world-class experience from start to finish and continuously over deliver. We promise to provide an exceptional customer experience that will have every client we work with singing our praises. We want to make sure that the next time our clients hear of someone looking for an incredible REALTOR®, that our name is sure to come up. If you’re waving your arms and shouting our name, then we know we’ve lived up to our promise. Client referrals mean the world to us, because they mean that we made an impact on our clients’ lives.
SELLING YOUR COLORADO PROPERTY
You made a great investment in your Colorado property, and whether you have owned it for just a few months, or for years or even decades, we consider it our goal to make sure that you sell it quickly, and for the highest profit possible. We don’t stop there, though…we also strive to provide West + Main clients with a smooth transaction, as little hassle as possible, and a seamless process with transparent and constant communication.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Honest advice. From preparing your home for sale to handing over the keys to the property’s new owners, we are here at every step, bump, and curve in the journey.
The West + Main Selling Strategy:
PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE
You might keep your home looking like a designer showroom every day…if that’s the case, great! Let’s put a sign in the yard and let the showings begin! But, if you’re like most of the people that we work with, you have a little work to do first. This might involve: de-cluttering + depersonalizing minor touchups, small repairs, staging, deep cleaning and, in some cases, it might even mean some cosmetic upgrades or even remodeling.
Every situation is different, and depending on your Real Estate goals, it might take a few days or even weeks to get your house ready, and that’s totally ok with us. We have a large network of contractors and professionals who have done a great job for our clients and our agents. If you need a recommendation or referral for a plumber, electrician, painter, handyman, etc, just let us know, we will be happy to make an introduction or pass along their information.
NEED TO SELL AS-IS, QUICKLY, OR EVEN OFF-MARKET? WE CAN HELP WITH THAT AS WELL.
We are always happy to create a Comparative Market Analysis for your property so that you will have an idea of where you stand financially. We will also generate an Estimated Net Sheet so that you can see every line item and cost involved, as well as your potential bottom line profit. Pricing is another important factor.
PRICING + POSITIONING YOUR PROPERTY
One thing we say over and over again is “Don’t trust the estimate.” Even though Zillow, Trulia and other Real Estate marketing platforms might pop out a number for your property, it’s always better to have a local professional tour your home, consider all of the factors involved, and run a detailed analysis in order to make sure your home is perfectly positioned for the market. Speaking of positioning…did you know that there are very drastic differences in numbers of showings, multiple offer potential, and even escrow timelines depending on which day and week you choose to list your Colorado property? We keep a close eye on the statistics, annual histories, and many other factors in order to make sure that your house hits the market at exactly the right time - and it’s not the same for every type of home, neighborhood, or city! Listing at the non-optimal time can cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in potential profit.
MARKETING MATTERS
Our in-house marketing department is a team of seasoned professionals who are passionate about making sure your home’s story is seen + heard by potential homebuyers. From beautiful flyers to expertly crafted property descriptions and photos, our goal is to target your property’s audience with attention-catching materials that get doors unlocked. This might include targeted online advertising, print materials, highlighted exposure in our widely distributed newsletters, feature placement on our blog + website, and more. Every home’s story is special + unique…we can’t wait to tell yours.
EXPERT NEGOTIATION
The best contract for your situation might not always be the highest price…we will help you consider all of the factors involved so that you not only go under contract but also make it to the closing table. This might include considering the best dates + deadlines for your timeline, as well as provisions like waived inspections or offers that include appraisal gap coverage. If you need to find a replacement property or would like to have the option to rent your home back for a few days or even weeks after closing, that is also something that we consider when reviewing and negotiating offers to purchase your home.
TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT
Once you’re Under Contract, we work to keep everything on track + moving forward as smoothly as possible. From important Dates + Deadlines to coordinating with your Buyer’s Agent, Lender, and the Title Company...there are a lot of moving pieces + parts involved.
1. ACCEPTANCE DATE
All milestones in the contract start from the Date Of Acceptance which occurs when the executed purchase agreement is signed by all involved parties.
2.
EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT
Also called the “Initial Deposit” is usually due 24 hrs after acceptance and will be deposited in an escrow account and applied to the Down Payment at time of purchase.
3.
SELLERS DISCLOSURES
Usually due 7 days after acceptance, but it’s a good idea for Sellers to get these completed to the best of their knowledge ASAP.
4.
BUYER’S INVESTIGATION
Seller allows Buyer to complete all due diligence, property inspections and reports such as disclosures and homeowner’s association rules. Often, these investigations lead to another round of negotiations.
5.
CONTINGENCY REMOVAL
When satisfied, Buyer removes inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, loan contingency and any other deadlines. Once all deadlines have passed, Buyer’s earnest money becomes non-refundable.
6.
FINAL WALKTHROUGH
Seller allows Buyer to verify that the property is in substantially the same condition as when they first wrote the offer by walking the property. This usually occurs within 5 days of the expected closing date.
7.
CLOSING + POSSESION
Seller and Buyer typically meet at the closing table to sign all property transfer documentation. Keys are typically transferred to the Buyer at the closing table, unless there is delayed possession or a rent-back that has been agreed upon.
Trust us to tell the story of your home. We think Colorado sellers should expect more from their real estate selling experience and we strive to make the process as easy + smooth as possible.
THE WEST + MAIN HOMES TEAM PROVIDES:
More Experience and Expertise
The combined experience of a team of top-notch agents and expertise in staging, marketing and negotiation.
More Negotiating Skills
T0p-notch pricing and negotiation skills from a team of experienced agents with extensive knowledge of the Central Colorado market.
More Services
Assisted home preparation, professional cleaning and staging, and more.
A Better Experience
Formal seller onboarding process so our sellers always know what to expect, and assistance at every step in the process.
More Marketing
HDR photography, floor plans and even drone tours if appropriate, with unparalleled reach and exposure, including targeted advertising and a strategic marketing strategy for each property we sell. Custom collateral designed for every listing by our in-house design team.
We Help Buyers Fall In Love
We connect emotionally with your target Buyer through outstanding photography, floor plans/video/ interactive tours and targeted copywriting. Our goal is to make Buyers fall in love with your home before they ever walk in the door.
RESOURCE GUIDE
Living in Colorado
WINTER PARK
WINTER PARK SKI RESORT
FRASER
TABERNASH
TABERNASH
GRAND LAKE
GRAND LAKE
GRANBY
“The best things in life are simple, abundant, and free.” - Debasish Mridha
LOW MAINTENANCE HOUSE PLANTS
Succulents
Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Don’t forget to rotate your succulents to make sure they grow evenly.
Chinese Money Plant – Pilea peperomioides
Grows best in a shady spot with weekly watering, according to The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery. Bonus: You can replant the offshoots that sprout from the base of the stem and give them as gifts.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is so named because of its spiderlike plants, or spiderettes, which dangle down from
the mother plant like spiders on a web. Likes bright light and weekly watering.
Prayer Plants - Calathea
“Prayer plants” will fold up at night and open wide during the day. Place in a semi-sunny spot and keep the soil moist to keep it happy.
Aloe
With its prefere nce for indirect light, aloe would love a spot on your desk or bedside table. Give it a good soak every week or two for optimal growth. Bonus - the gel from aloe vera leaves can be used topically, but keep away from pets and don’t eat.
WINTER PARK AREA SCHOOLS
We recognize people hear “small town” and assume the educational opportunities fit the bill for stereotypical small towns across the country. Having lived in the Fraser Valley for decades, we truly believe the local schools are the heartbeat of our county and provide an education unparalleled to the typical rural community. Parents, local businesses, and town governments invest heavily in our schools, giving students opportunities and experiences that create a high-quality education system.
EAST + WEST GRAND SCHOOLS
Grand County stretches from east of Winter Park to west of Kremmling. The over 50 miles between the
two hubs make it logical to geographically split the county in half to create separate school districts for the east and west ends: the West Grand School District serves Kremmling and the surrounding areas while the East Grand School District serves Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Granby, Grand Lake, and Hot Sulphur Springs. Both school districts operate on a four-day schedule in which students attend school Monday through Thursday (with longer school days but the oh-so-glorious three-day weekend). East Grand serves students at two elementary schools, one in Fraser and one in Granby, combining the student populations for grades 6-12 at East Grand Middle School and Middle Park High School in Granby. Since we live
and provide services primarily to clients in East Grand School District, we put together an overview of East Grand Schools as a resource should you be considering moving your family our way!
EAST GRAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Both Fraser Valley Elementary and Granby Elementary serve Pre-K to 5th grade students. Fraser Elementary has a smaller student body, with around 240 students each year compared to Granby’s 310 students. With the support of certified teaching staff and paraprofessionals, both schools boast low studentteacher ratios with an average of 11 students per teacher. Class sizes are intentionally low to provide individualized support and differentiated instruction, and support staff provide strong intervention and gifted & talented services. But, the smaller classes and extra support do more than just foster academic growth; they breed a sense of family among staff and students.
Related Arts are an integral part of both schools. The music, art, physical education, and science programs give students the opportunity to learn and grow outside the regular classroom through daily lessons with dedicated teachers who specialize in their fields. Check out the FVE Related Arts Blog and the GES music page to get a peek into their structured, yet creative approaches.
Both schools promote the active lifestyle so prevalent in our community. From cross-country and alpine ski field trips to class mountain bike rides to canoeing on nearby lakes while exploring our local ecology, our kids have abundant opportunities to take advantage of and learn in the beauty of our natural surroundings.
In some great news for the whole district, and specifically the Grand Lake and Granby communities, a recent bond measure passed, allowing the construction of a new Granby Elementary!
The new building will eliminate that “bursting at the seems” feel while also allowing for future growth.
970- 887-2581 www.egsd.org
EAST GRAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students from Fraser and Granby elementaries come together in sixth grade at East Grand Middle School, perched on the hill above Main Street in Granby. EGMS Cubs are grouped in pods for each grade, sixth through eighth, creating a strong sense of community at each grade level. Students get the opportunity to try electives like band, choir, foreign language, drama, and art while settling into changing classes each period, enjoying pep rallies, and participating in school-sponsored sports.
School sports include football, basketball, Nordic skiing, cross-country, volleyball, and track and field.
Other extracurricular activities are offered through after school clubs like art, drama, robotics, and science fair clubs.
EGMS’s score on the Colorado School Performance Framework puts it in the top 1% of middle schools in the state. Honors and academic resource classes are offered to help meet individualized needs, and one-to-one Chromebooks allow students and teachers to access resources available through technology, maximizing class time and preparing students for today’s technologically-driven world. Teachers and staff are dedicated to student growth academically, and they care deeply for the approximately 320 students in their care.
970-887-3382 egms.egsd.org
MIDDLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Middle Park High School is around the corner from East Grand Middle School and serves students in 9th12th grades. With a total enrolment of around 400, MPHS graduates about 100 students each spring.
For a small mountain school, MPHS is able to offer a wide variety of classes, sports, and experiences for their learning community. AP and honors classes are offered in all core subjects as well as Computer Science and foreign languages (French and Spanish). Students get to choose from electives that give them hands-on experience like welding, construction, baking, first aid, woodworking, and outdoor survival skills as well as creative arts, music and theater. MPHS believes in
connecting students with our community, capitalizing on local businesses and expertise here in our county to give students real-world experience in fields of interest. They partner with the Homegrown Talent Initiative to strategically focus on skill development and career-connected learning experiences. The intentional coaching and programming the students experience when paired with a local business has been transformational for the students who choose to participate.
Athletic opportunities continue to grow at MPHS. Sports currently offered include soccer, volleyball, cross-country, football, track and field, spirit squad, baseball, wrestling, basketball, softball, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and mountain biking.
970-887-2104 mphs.egsd.org
WINTER PARK COMPETITION CENTER FULL TIME ACADEMY AT EGMS + MPHS
Both the middle and high school partner with the Winter Park Competition Center, based at Winter Park Resort, to optimize academic and training time. Members of the full-time academy can attend school at EGMS & MPHS yet still train in skiing or snowboarding six days a week. Core classes are concentrated in the morning, and students head to the ski area after lunch to train Tuesday-Thursday in addition to their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekend training.
All four of East Grand’s schools have a rating of “Performance” from the Colorado Department of Education, the highest rating a school can have, which speaks so highly of student and staff dedication. But, we believe a school is more than just its rating. The commitment to and pride in our schools is woven throughout our community, evidence of the healthy environments and strong opportunities provided to our students and future leaders of Grand County. If you have any questions about schooling in the Fraser Valley, we’d love to answer them!
Colorado Mountains West + Main Homes
FIVE SCENIC TRAILS: SOAK IN THE VIEWS FROM THESE HIKES & RIDES!
When the snow melts and the trails dry in Grand County we can’t help but get excited. Living here we do our best to take full advantage of enjoying the summer season and into fall out on the trails. We’ve put together a few of our favorite spots to get out and enjoy a hike or ride.
1.
JIM CREEK HIKE
Just across from the entrance to Winter Park Resort, the Jim Creek Trail is a top pick for leaf peeping and waterfall seekers in Grand County. The bottom section of the hike can actually be a hike in and of itself--
the Discovery Loop Trail is wide, relatively flat, and well-maintained, complete with a boardwalk that can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. It’s a great hike for families or those acclimating to the elevation. Taking the Jim Creek Trail up from there brings elevation gain at a steady pace as it moves through thick woods (with plentiful aspen groves!), meadows, willows, and creek crossings. If you hike the whole trail, it comes in at a little over 8 miles round-trip and ends at a waterfall. It’s definitely a popular trail (for a reason!), but its stash of aspens and views of the resort make it a hike we’re sure to get in every year!
2.
MONARCH LAKE HIKE
The drive to Monarch Lake alone is worth the trip! A 30-minute drive from Granby, the small, peaceful lake is nestled among aspens and pines at the southeast end of Lake Granby. Once you turn off Highway 34 onto County Road 6, you’ll drive 9 miles along the
shores of Lake Granby down to Monarch Lake, but you likely won’t notice how far it is because the aspens on that stretch are well-developed and plentiful. They seem to hug the road and are the perfect complement to the lake views along your left. The road ends at the trailhead parking area. The relatively flat 4-mile loop follows the shore of the lake, winding through the forest and across several streams. If you’re not planning to do the whole loop, we recommend starting the loop counterclockwise--you’ll find aspen groves along the trail, a great option for fall colors! If you’re feeling ambitious, you can split off onto the Cascade Creek Trail to start gaining elevation and eventually make it up to Cascade Falls. We always bring a picnic and our paddle boards to enjoy some time on the shore and the water after hiking!
3.
LELAND CREEK TRAILS HIKE + BIKE
The entire Leland Creek trail system just feels like home to us. We love to get in a lunchtime ride or a sunset hike with our dogs, and the fall is one of the best times to spend exploring these Winter Park trails. For biking, we like the “Leland Creek Loop,” which starts at the Leland Creek trailhead (on the west side of Kings Crossing Road about 100 feet past the railroad tracks) and has a fun climb up Sundog to Akima’s Way, over to WTB and then up to the top of Leap Frog. Leap Frog flows down until is connects with Sunset Pink. Head back up Sunset Pink to D3 & D4 and back over to the top of WTB. The uphill grind is complete by then (read: you’ve earned your turns!). You’ll take WTB down to Razmatazz (our hands-down favorite crosscountry downhill trail that doesn’t require a lift pass to ride) and back to the trailhead. As far as hiking the Leland Creek trails goes, a great 4-mile out and back is Leland Creek Trail to Sundog to Akima’s Way and back. We like to stop and find a big rock to sit on and soak in the views of the divide and the resort, making it a point to never take the beauty of this place for granted!
4.
CHAINSAW/BROKEN SPADE/IKO BIKE
While the trails are also great for hiking and running, they are popular with mountain bikers for a reason! The Chainsaw/Broken Spade/Iko loop is a local favorite. We like to park at the Northwest Passage trailhead and ride it over to connect with Chainsaw. Take Chainsaw up to Broken Spade and onto Iko, link up with Zoom to lower Iko, and hop back on Chainsaw to head back to the car. The fun switchbacks and flowy downhill with a few technical sections make this challenging, but not so much so that we can’t look up and enjoy the scenery or the views from the top. In fall we love how some sections feel like a yellow brick road with the leaves covering the trail! Looking for a little bit less of an elevation gain but still want to enjoy the colors in the same area? Try the Flume/Creekside loop!
5.
TIPPERARY/SPRUCE CREEK BIKE
We love biking Tipperary for wildflower season, but it is equally impressive in the fall! This Northern Fraser Trail System favorite heads up for a fun climb through meadows and thick, vibrant aspen groves along a gurgling mountain stream. The trail winds up (and up and up, some might say), but you are rewarded with a fun downhill on Spruce Creek. You can pedal over to Flume and take it down to Northwest Passage, or just ride the road if your legs are toast! Regardless of where you park or what extra trails you hop on, there is a little bit of road riding to make the full loop back, but one of our favorite aspen groves in the county is on one of the turns on County Road 50. We think you’ll know it when you see it!
SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL!
We could really go on and on about the trails we love and how beautiful this place we call home is - hope to see you on the trail!
