10-15 July 2022 • Denver, Colorado, USA

IEEE AP-S/URSI 2022

10-15 July 2022 • Denver, Colorado, USA

Accompanying Person Activities

(open to all conference attendees)

Our conference organizers have arranged with Colorado Sightseer, a local tourist agency from Denver, to be the official conference small-group attractions guide.

  • Full day:
    • Pikes Peak Regional Wonders: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and Manitou Springs – due to high volume of traffic on the highway, this tour is offered on the weekends, only; we do not recommend this tour on a weekday
    • Blue Sky Mountain Summit – visit flower-covered mountain peaks, see elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife
    • Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Boulder Falls and Estes Park
    • Ultimate Mountain Tour to Breckenridge - history of mining
    • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Half day:
    • Colorado Gold Rush, Mountain and Mine Tour – learn about history of Colorado mining and try your luck in panning for gold – specially interesting for visitors with children and young adults
    • Foothills of the Rockies: Red Rocks, Historic Downtown Golden, Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bills grave full of history
    • Red Rocks, Evergreen, Echo Lake
    • Hike the Rockies tour

Whereas any selection is possible, in order to keep our conference attendees together, we recommend selection of the following tours on different days of the conference week:

  • Sunday July 10, 8:15 am, full day: Pikes Peak Regional Wonders
  • Monday July 11: 8:15 am, full day: Ultimate Mountain Tour to Breckenridge
  • Tuesday July 12, 8:15 am full day: Rocky Mountain National Park tour – is the only option by Colorado Sightseer, for guests that cannot attend the trip organized by the conference on Saturday July 16
  • Wednesday July 13, 8:15 am or 12:15 pm half-day (note that the PM tour may not be back for the Awards ceremony): Colorado Gold Rush Mountain and Mine Tour
  • Thursday July 14, 8:15 am, full day: Blue Sky Mountain Summit
  • Friday July 15, 8:15 am half-day: Foothills of The Rockies

To get more info about the tours, and see a full list of offered options, visit www.coloradosightseer.com (Google Chrome preferred for best experience)

Our conference guests will receive a 10% discount from the advertised prices, if using discount code at checkout: APS2022 (uppercase)

If any problems during checkout, or if tours are full, please contact Rich at cell phone number (303) 423-8200 or email tours@coloradosightseer.com with your contact information, please mention “APS2022 Conference”, and Rich will get back to you directly.

Pikes Peak Regional Wonders
Pikes Peak

Travel up the breathtaking Pikes Peak Highway (admission included) to the 14,110 foot summit of Americas best known mountain while enjoying spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Witness the same views that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful in 1893. Visit Historic Manitou Springs. Sample 1000-year-old soda water mineral springs while in town or play vintage games at the penny arcade and enjoy lunch and shopping on your own. Then tour majestic Garden of the Gods Park while surrounded by towering ancient rock formations and grand views of Pikes Peak. Enjoy a walk down one of the trails through the park and get up close with the beautiful nature and geology. Stop at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center and tour the museum exhibits before heading back to Denver.

Special Note: Reaching Pikes Peak summit is dependent on road conditions/closures and weather.

Duration: Approximately 9 hours, weekends only.

Blue Sky Mountain Summit
Blue Sky

Travel through rugged Clear Creek Canyon on your way up the highest paved road in North America into the Mount Evans Wilderness Area (admission included) where you will reach an altitude of over 12,800 feet at beautiful Summit Lake and 14,265 feet (4,348 meters) if conditions allow us to the summit this spectacular Colorado 14er! See breathtaking Top of the World views of the Majestic Rocky Mountains, view bighorn sheep and mountain goats in their natural environment. Stop for lunch and shopping in Idaho Springs, a real old-western town, before returning to Denver.

Special Note: Wildlife viewing likely but not guaranteed.

Duration: Approximately 7.5-8 hours.

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Boulder Falls and Estes Park
Peak2Peak

Experience the colorful beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Travel north through Boulder, home of the University of Colorado, health food, and mountain climbers. Drive through beautiful and rugged Boulder Canyon, stop and explore Boulder Falls. Visit Nederland for a coffee or pastry before continuing on and experiencing incredible Rocky Mountain scenery on the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway. Witness majestic views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and enjoy a stroll around Lilly Lake. Visit the mountain town of Estes Park, enjoy lunch on your own and explore the local shops or visit the Historic Stanley Hotel. Hopefully we'll observe a variety of wildlife including herds of grazing elk in their natural setting.

Special Note: We do not enter Rocky Mountain National Park on this tour. If you would like to go explore the park, please see our Rocky Mountain National Park Summer or Winter tours.

Duration: Approximately 6.5-7 hours.

Ultimate Mountain Tour to Breckenridge
Breckenridge

Walk among giants in majestic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Travel through rugged Clear Creek Canyon on your way over the Continental Divide while reaching an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet (3,657m). Visit an old western town. See breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, ski resorts, and Dillon reservoir. Stop for lunch and shopping in the Village of Breckenridge. Take an optional gondola ride to the base of Breckenridge Ski Area. Return to Denver through the Eisenhower Tunnel - the longest, highest, passenger car tunnel in the world.

Special Note: Gondola ride is only available during the ski and peak summer seasons.

Duration: Approximately 8 hours.

Rocky Mountain National Park Tour

For those who will not be participating in the conference-organized trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday July 16.

More information about this tour is available on Colorado Sightseer website.

Colorado Gold Rush Mountain and Mine Tour
Colorado Mountain

Great half-day Rocky Mountain adventure. Follow the steps of the 1859 Gold Rush, travel up rugged Clear Creek Canyon and look for the state mammal the Big Horn Sheep on the steep canyon walls. Visit the historic town of Central City and admire the architecture in what was once considered the richest square mile on earth and hear the stories of miners and their way of life. Then visit a Real Ghost Town from the mining boom. Next, enjoy the scenic mountain views as you head over to Historic mining town where you will tour a real working Gold Mine and learn about the mine’s history and modern day mining techniques, you can even try your luck at striking it rich! See Learn and Explore the Wild West on this fun Colorado Gold Rush Tour.

Duration: Approximately 5 hours.

Foothills of The Rockies
Foothills

Enjoy a beautiful walk while witnessing the majesty of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Explore the historic western Town of Golden where you can stroll along Clear Creek trail, check out the local shops or sample some craft beer at one of the many local breweries. Travel 2000 feet (610m) up the Lariat Trail Scenic and Historic Byway to the top of Lookout Mountain while viewing a breathtaking 200 mile (320km) panorama. Visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave (admission included). See American Bison (Buffalo).

Special Note: Accessibility to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater depends on concerts, events, and set up schedule.

Duration: Approximately 4.5-5 hours.

Red Rocks, Evergreen, Echo Lake
Red Rocks

This is Colorado Sightseer’s most scenic half-day mountain tour!

The best way to explore the Rocky Mountains in a ½ day! Visit Red Rocks Park and amphitheater then drive into the mountains via Bear Creek Canyon and see many of the Denver Mountain Parks. Browse the shops or enjoy a quick drink at a western saloon, a winery, or a coffee shop in the quaint town of Evergreen. Witness beautiful mountain vistas while climbing over Squaw Pass to Echo Lake. Stroll around this beautiful glacial lake sitting at 10,600 feet at the base of 14,265 ft Mt. Evans and enjoy the idyllic mountain scenery.

Special Note: Wildlife viewing likely but not guaranteed.

Duration: Approximately 5 hours.

Hike the Rockies Half Day Tour
Hike Rockies

See, Learn, and Explore nature on this beautiful 4-mile guided hike in the Rocky Mountains.

Unwind and leave your stress behind as you connect with nature on this hike through the forest and mountain meadows. In the summer see beautiful wildflowers growing in open mountain meadows. In the fall see the colorful changing aspen trees and look for deer and elk. In the winter enjoy a peaceful walk among the snow-covered trees and meadows. There is something wonderful in every season to be enjoyed on this adventure through the Rockies. After, enjoy a drink at one of your guides favorite local spots.

Trail Difficulty: Moderate.

Duration: Approximately 5 hours.