LRF Rocks the Rockies: Part 3–More Estes Park

Baldpate Inn Estes Park Colorado

 

Usually you don’t put “light” and “buffet” in the same sentence, but that is what you get at the Baldpate Inn on Fish Creek Road south of Estes Park.

 

Baldpate Inn entrance
Baldpate Inn entrance, with view of Estes Park down in the valley.

The Baldpate is a historic B&B/restaurant that sits about 9000 feet up the side of Twin Sisters Mountain.  The inn was named after the mystery novel “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” in which each of seven visitors thinks he or she has the only key to the inn.  I haven’t read that book, but apparently, down through the years, a tradition has developed where visitors will bring a key when they stay at the Baldpate.  As a result, the inn now boasts a collection of over 20,000 keys, which they keep on display in, where else, the Key Room.

They are also known locally for their soup and salad buffet.  The salad bar is actually an old bathtub.

Baldpate Inn Salad Bar
Clean eating indeed!

Soup and salad doesn’t sound like a lot of food, especially at $16.50 a head, but between the choice of two hearty soups (we had chicken noodle and an EXCELLENT buffalo stew), fresh desserts and LOTS of homemade bread, you’ll get plenty.

When you’re finished eating, take your time to stroll around the grounds or lounge on the porch.  If you go over by the hummingbird feeders, you’ll be treated to one of my favorite sounds in Colorado (second only to waterfalls).  Where I come from, hummingbirds buzz like giant bugs and make me nervous.  Here in Colorado, they whistle.  Give a listen to this:

That’s the sound I woke up to every morning on the deck of our cabin on the Big Thompson River.

Need a warmup for the mountain hiking you’re going to do later?  How about a little street hiking in downtown Estes Park?  Many of the shops along the south side of Elkhorn Ave. are also accessible from the rear along the Riverwalk, which is essentially one long park stretching about a half mile from the Visitor’s Center to George Hix Riverside Plaza, where the Fall River meets the Big Thompson.

If you like ice cream, there’s somewhere to get it roughly every 200 yards in any direction in Estes Park.  Another fun place for refreshment is Rocket Fizz, a shop that specializes in unusual and retro sodas.  Grab one out of the cooler and enjoy it at a table out back along the riverfront.

Rocket Fizz Estes Park Colorado
A Black Cherry for the wife, and I’m going full Harry Potter with a Flying Cauldron Butterbeer.

If you find yourself still puttering around downtown when dinnertime rolls around, check out the Grubsteak.

 

The Grubsteak Estes Park Colorado
Betcha they got some MEAT up in here!

This pub is known for burgers, some of which trend to the unusual side.  Elk burgers aren’t that weird, considering you are in the Rockies, which are teeming with elk.  But have you ever tried a yak burger?  If not, you need to.  A slightly milder flavor than beef, but SO juicy!

 

Elk Burger Grubsteak Estes Park
Cheddar BBQ Bacon Elk Burger. $15.75
Yak Burger Grubsteak Estes Park
Cowboy Yakburger with bacon and a roasted Anaheim Chile. ($16.25) Paired with a Stinger Honey Wheat from Estes Park Brewery ($6.00)

If you’re wanting to get away from the tourist-packed downtown area, another place I recommend is Sweet Basilico for Italian.

 

Seafood Alfredo Sweet Basilico Estes Park
Seafood Alfredo with jumbo shrimp, bay shrimp, scallops and crab. $22
Shrimp Diavolo Sweet Basilico Estes Park
Shrimp Diavolo, with scallops and LOTS of red peppers. $20

Or if you’re in the mood for some BBQ, try Smokin Dave’s.

 

Smokin Dave's BBQ and Taphouse Estes Park Colorado
Dave’s Double Platter ($16.95) with brisket and ribs, accompanied by red beans & rice, smashed potatoes and a Rock Cut Pils ($6). There may or may not have also been a bowl of green chili involved.

They have two locations.  We ate at the one on Estes Park Golf Course, which has an awesome view of Long’s Peak.

 

Longs Peak Rocky Mountain National Park
Longs Peak (elev. 14,259) from the Estes Park Golf Course.

I also recommend the roasted chicken, pulled pork and green beans at Smokin Dave’s.  So go getcha some, and then come back for Parts 4 and 5, where we’ll talk about some day trips.

 

 

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