By Elisabeth Brigham By Elisabeth Brigham | November 28, 2022 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Style & Beauty,
We sat down with business owner Jill Murphy to get the inside scoop on all things Glenwood Springs.
Hanging Lake
From relaxing in hot springs to zip lining across the Colorado River, Glenwood Springs specializes in fun for the whole family.
This hot springs haven has everything tourists and locals need for a day mixed with adventure and relaxation. From the Vapor and Fairy Caves to an abundance of activities and trails for the whole family, Glenwood Springs sparks joy in the Roaring Fork Valley.
From tandem skydiving to zip lining across the Colorado River, this town provides breathtaking views from all angles. For something a little closer to the ground, spend the day fishing along the river for finds like brookies, browns, cutthroats and rainbow trout. Or for something the whole family would enjoy, jump in a raft and go downstream with whitewater rafting or casual kayaking.
For the ultimate day trip, a look at Glenwood Springs’ travertine geological formation on the Hanging Lake Trail is an absolute must. Going over 1,000 vertical feet, the intensive 1.2-mile hike is well worth the steep steps, with breathtaking waterfalls and cool mountain air awaiting you at the finish line. For this spot, reservations are required, and a shuttle service is available in the summer months for access to the trail. For those looking to take it easy, guided tours are also available around the valley where guests can learn about the area and its history on horseback.
As for when the snow starts to fall, fear not. Th is mountain town effortlessly shift s gears and offers major attractions like snowshoeing through the mountains, snowmobile excursions, Nordic skiing, fat-tire biking and shredding the mountains on a snowboard. For whatever the weather, Glenwood Springs uses the outdoors to its advantage and offers adventures for the whole family to enjoy. From relaxing in the hot springs to conquering the mountains, there’s never a dull moment in the valley.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS INSIDER
JILL MURPHY
Murphy Brown owner
Jill and Ken Murphy in front of Glenwood Adventure Company.
Jill Murphy is a woman who wears many hats. With two boutiques under her belt, it’s safe to say she knows quite a bit about fashion in the Roaring Fork Valley. Misstyx boutique and Murphy Brown are both home to an array of hair accessories, hats, jewelry, apparel and gifts. On the adventure front, she and her husband, Ken, spearhead an impressive lineup of adventure tour businesses around the Roaring Fork Valley, including Glenwood Adventure Company, Bair Ranch and more. The pair have also made huge sustainable steps forward with their company H2O Ventures, which provides the U.S. Forest Service with managed-use operating plans that help protect areas like the Maroon Bells and Hanging Lake from being loved to death. Here, we sat down with the buzzing beauty to talk all things Glenwood Springs.
First and foremost, I know you and your husband balance a variety of businesses. Can you give a brief description of what you do around the Roaring Fork Valley?
I own Murphy Brown in downtown GWS and have owned Misstyx boutique in downtown Aspen for 25 years. Throughout the years, my husband and I have become leaders in Colorado’s adventure industry, running several divisions of Adventure Outdoors LLC, as well as owning our own sustainable tourism company, H2O Ventures. We believe our business and family should always be a part of the community, and we both have served on numerous local and regional boards. Ken just recently became a member of the Colorado Tourism Board representing outdoor recreation.
What do you love most about working in Glenwood Springs?
There’s such a sense of community and cooperation. It’s fantastic to see your friends and neighbors but also the enthusiasm that visitors bring. It helps remind us why we’ve chosen to live and do business here.
Describe your perfect day in Glenwood Springs.
Early-morning bike ride around the valley with friends followed by a muffin and coffee at River Blend in the Hotel Denver. After work, sharing a meal and conversation with my husband relaxing on our back deck.
Where can we find you grabbing a late-night bite?
Best taco salad in town, Taqueria el Nopal!
What’s your go-to spot for a sweet treat?
Homemade ice cream at Sundae.
What’s a locals’ favorite way to beat the stress?
In the summertime, fly fishing along the Roaring Fork. Wintertime, skinning up Sunlight Mountain. What will surprise visitors most about Glenwood Springs? How much variety there is of things to do. There is something for everybody.
Photography by: FROM TOP, PHOTOS: PHTO: BY NATHAN ANDERSON; PHOTO: COURTESY OF JILL MURPHY