Travel along the scenic Cache La Poudre River through blindingly beautiful Aspen groves and breathtaking gorges to Cameron Pass – altitude 10,276 feet. The Cache La Poudre is Colorado’s only nationally designated “wild and scenic” river and the road you’ll travel upon is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway. Visit a mountain fishery that stocks Colorado’s rivers with various species of trout. See fire mitigatio, restoration and harvesting activities on a truly unique Tree Farm and learn the difficulties we face “tree farming with altitude.”

Difficulty – Moderate (see chart above)
Departs the Holiday Inn at 8:00am
Returns to the Holiday Inn at 5:00pm
Cost: $40 per person
Includes: coach transportation, all fees, tour guides and bag lunch
Limited to: 55 participants

Wednesday, September 22
Optional Tour
Loveland Sculpture Tour

Loveland Colorado hosts two major sculpture shows every year and is home to more than 200 sculptors, many world-renowned. On this tour you can take a short respite from all the hiking at altitude but still surround yourself with beauty the whole day long. Visit a sculptor’s studio in the heart of the artist community in Loveland. Learn how a large sculpture is designed and molded. Then visit a foundry and watch a sculpture being cast and finished. After enjoying a relaxed lunch at a famous local eatery you’ll tour one of the finest sculpture parks in the world.

Difficulty – Easy (see chart above)
Depart the Holiday Inn at 9:00am
Returns to the Holiday Inn at 3:30pm
Cost: $30 per person
Includes: van transportation and gourmet lunch
Limited to: 28 participants

Thursday, September 23
Optional Tour
Rocky Mountain National Park

The extreme altitude variation in Rocky Mountain National Park allows you to experience the animal, plant life, and weather of three distinct ecosystems in one visit. Travel with experienced tour guides who will show you the most scenic spots, find the most wildlife and inform you of the history, geology, and trivia that you might miss traveling alone. The itinerary of this trip will vary depending on weather conditions, but will always be spectacular. We will travel by motor coach with stops for limited hiking at altitude. Weather permitting we will travel along Trailridge Road, to an elevation of 12,183 ft. This is the highest continuously paved highway in the U.S. We may even have time to do a little shopping in the village of Estes Park.

Difficulty - May be Strenuous (see chart above)
Departs the Holiday Inn at 7:30am
Returns to the Holiday Inn at 5:30pm
Cost: $40 per person
Includes: motor coach transportations, all fees, tour guides, and bag lunch
Limited to: 92 participants

Thursday, September 23
Optional Tour
Mountain Tree Farms

Many of Colorado’s Tree Farms are relatively small, lovingly cared for, but not very profitable. On this tour you can meet some of the hearty individuals who epitomize “tree farming with altitude.” Travel in small vans into the rugged hills west of Fort Collins and visit a number of small mountain tree farms. Talk to the owners, watch demonstrations, and have lunch in a mountain meadow. This trip requires some walking at altitude.

Difficulty – Moderate (see chart above)
Departs the Holiday Inn at 8:00am
Returns to the Holiday Inn at 4:00 pm
Cost: $35 per person
Limited to: 70 participants

Sunday, September 26
Optional Tour
Mountain Tree Farm Tour #2

This tour will be essentially the same as the Mountain Tree Farm tour held on Thursday, albeit slightly condensed to allow for the business meeting on Sunday morning. It is scheduled for those people who want to experience both the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park AND the unique opportunity to visit our hard working tree farmers with altitude. If you will miss the tree farm tour on Thursday by signing up to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, this is your chance to experience all we have to offer.

Difficulty – Moderate (see chart above)
Departs the Holiday Inn at 11:00pm
Returns to the Holiday Inn at 6:00 pm
Cost: $30 per person
Limited to: 56 participants

Self-guided Tour
Fort Collins Microbreweries

Colorado ranks third in the country in volume of brewpubs and craft breweries, and Fort Collins has the most microbreweries per capita in the state. Tree Farm “conventioneering” is thirsty work. In between all the touring or attending of educational seminars, you may need, nay absolutely deserve, a break. We can suggest a few great places to wet your whistle. In your registration packet we’ll include a self-guided tour of the best microbreweries in town. A large Anheuser-Busch brewery where the famous Clydesdales are often stabled is also nearby. This self-guided tour can be taken at your own pace, so please pace yourself and enjoy.