Going to open this up with some irony: I saw an Eagle while I was near Eagle.

By near, I mean during my day trip to Frisco BUT my home base was Eagle so that makes it slightly special. Okay, moving on. This was the very first stop on my road trip post flying into Denver.

I spend majority of my days at 100’ elevation so the transition to 6,000 - 9,000’ is always a doozy. I knew what to expect, but it still took a few days to adjust, so my time in Eagle was low key and honestly, so lovely.

Eagle is about 150 miles from Denver Airport (2 hours 40 mins) and right off of 1-70, which made it an easy first stop. It’s scenic 95% of the ride in too (5% is the airport road, which we all can agree is just weird, right?).

I stayed in an adorable loft apartment that’s located 1 block away from Broadway Street and maybe a 5 minute drive from the rest of downtown Eagle. It was filled to the brim with art, provided the comfiest bed of the entire trip and was reasonably priced.

I will say, being unemployed at the time, I was focused on making my dollars go as far as possible, which meant a Walmart stop for a grocery haul. Majority of my meals were concocted in the kitchen, but I did get to enjoy a bit of the local grub:

Yeti’s Grind: Scored a delicious oat-milk latte and a cinnamon bun that I would very much like to eat again.
Moe’s Original BBQ: Counter style homemade BBQ and it lived up to the hype. I can vouch for the pulled pork sandwich, potato salad and cornbread - insert five stars please. I did takeout, but they do have an outdoor patio with ample seating. First come, first serve.

I opted for adventures on the lower energy level (re: limited breathing due to altitude), but it’s Colorado so you truly cannot go wrong. Just step outside and open your eyes.

Sylvan Lake Trail

About a 25 minute drive from the AirBnB, you’ll find yourself in the White River National Forest at the start of an easy rated 1.4 mile loop around a lake (duh). The drive alone was breathtaking, but the walk was the breath of fresh air I came to Colorado for. $9 cash required for entry to the park (honor system, but support your forests). Camping is also available via cabin and campsite.

A Day Trip to Frisco

An adorable entry way to all the ski towns with ample activities for all seasons.

Sapphire Point Overlook Trail: This is no secret as it was heavily trafficked, but it’s a must see if you’re in the area. An easy rated 0.6 mile loop boasting views of Dillon Resevoir. You’ll come upon the first viewpoint pretty quickly (this is where I saw the eagle that was not in Eagle), but continue walking around the full loop for different view angles and picnic tables.
Frisco Bay Marina: This is ignorant of me, but I was surprised to cross paths with sailboats in Colorado. What a happy discovery. This marina has a little park and beach area, which is nice to stroll around. It looks like there were kayak rentals and a dining area if you’re there during the warmer seasons.
The Uptown on Main: Apparently they have a rooftop, but I can only vouch for the patio in the back because the only word I got out was “outside”. I had the chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries and let’s just say, I licked the plate clean. Minus the actual licking because that would simply be weird.
Highside Brewery: I visited here during another trip, but it was a classic Colorado vibe brewery. Met like 5 dogs, which is auto 5 stars, but the beer was delicious too and I remember thoroughly enjoying the snacks.
Window shopping: Take a stroll down Main Street and the charm will hit you almost immediately. You’ll find everything from coffee shops to thrift stores that will transport you back in time.

Dressing in layers is the name of the packing game. Temperatures in the mountains (specifically October) were wild. I saw everything from 35 to 80 degrees.
My advice for adjusting to altitude is to take it slow, listen to your body, drink lots of water, and pop some ibuprofen if you need. I also have some friends who swear by the oxygen canisters.
Biking is huge in both Eagle and Frisco and really, all of Colorado. Frisco had a bike path that wrapped around Dillon Reservoir that I would add to the list if that’s your thing.
COVID friendly: masks were required at all establishments and people abided by the 6ft rule. I felt really safe in both locations.

Safe Travels,

Tay