Beat the Heat, Escape to Colorado

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Aug 08, 2011, 09:00 ET

DENVER, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air conditioners are being set on high as the U.S. experiences one of the hottest summers on record. August is the perfect time to escape to Colorado where low humidity, mild temperatures and Rocky Mountain breezes offer a way to beat the heat.

Below is a sampling of ways to cool off naturally in the great outdoors of Colorado:

Zippity Breeze. Create your own breeze as you sail over the Animas River on the largest zipline in North America. www.SoaringColorado.com
Riding Mountains. Experience a refreshing drop in temperature while the wind rushes past you biking down 14,115-foot Pikes Peak. www.BikitHikit.com
Sail Away. Enjoy sailing adventures, instruction and certification on Blue Mesa Lake, Colorado's largest body of water. www.SailWesternColorado.com
Alpine Adventure. Crested Butte Mountain Resort's Summit Trail is part lift ride, part one-mile hike. www.SkiCB.com
Cave Dwellers. Tour Glenwood Caverns & Historic Fairy Caves, where it's always 52 degrees. www.GlenwoodCaverns.com
Rocky Mountain High. At an elevation of 10,152-feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America with average summer temperatures in the 70s. www.VisitLeadvilleColorado.com
Float-On. Rent tubes, boogie boards and more to float down the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs. www.VisitPagosa.com
"Gorge"ous. Gunnison Gorge offers Gold Medal trout fishing, hiking and whitewater rafting, with rapids ranging from class II to IV. www.VisitMontrose.com
Heat quenching. Grand Lake, the largest natural body of water in Colorado offers boating, swimming, sailing and shoreline camping with mountain views. www.Grand-County.com

Chilled Packages:

Paddle, Saddle & Bridge in the Royal Gorge. Combines a half-day rafting trip with a riverside lunch, a mule ride on the rim of the Royal Gorge and tickets to the Royal Gorge Bridge. www.RaftEcho.com
Keep Your Cool in Breckenridge. Groups of four can stay in a two-bedroom condo and each get four activities – cycling, rafting, horseback riding and gold mine tour - included for just $74 per person, per night. www.BreckCenRes.com
Hit the Road Package at The Westin Riverfront. Escape the heat in the Vail Valley with accommodations, bike rentals, jeep tour, a $50 dining credit, a $100 spa gift card and more. Rates start at $249 per night. www.WestinRiverfrontBeaverCreek.com
Stand-Up Paddle in Aspen. The Little Nell in Aspen offers Little Nell Adventures to its guests including stand-up paddle boarding. www.TheLittleNell.com