We had the good fortune of connecting with Dorothy Cranfill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dorothy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being laid off from my job at a local gym in Austin due to funding issues during COVID, I took a break professionally to get a feel for what I would like to pursue moving forward. Naturally, I felt the best place to clear my head was at my mountain house in Crested Butte, Colorado.

In the summer of 2022 i successfully planned and hosted a hiking trip to CB for 5 adults. I guided the group over the Maroon Bells to Aspen and arranged the flights, hotels, transportation, dining, and activities for the entire affair. After the journey, I started thinking to myself that this could be a viable and enjoyable way to make money.

Fast forward 6 months and I find myself Launching Peak Travel Planning on January 1st, 2023. By combing my love for the Gunnison valley, my knowledge and experience in the area, and my passion for hosting, I see my dream job coming to fruition.

What should our readers know about your business?
Peak Travel Planning is an accommodation and reservation service providing clients with a fully executed itinerary for the Crested Butte and Gunnison Valley area. We will book flights, hotel/rental homes, dinner and private chef services, all activities and guides, secure rental equipment, assign child care, arrange grocery delivery, and more. Our passion is to honor every need of our clients so that the only thing they have to focus on during their vacation is enjoying their beautiful surroundings.

The Crested Butte area can be tricky to get to and offers a plethora of activities, but because of its location it can be challenging for the average person to get overwhelmed with arranging a visit. At Peak Travel Planning all the hard work is left to us. We gather all your wants and needs and transform them into the perfect Rocky Mountain getaway.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To access the Crested Butte Area by plane you must fly into Gunnison. I’d arrange for a quick bite at The Dive for a great meal and a cocktail outside just off the main drag in Gunny. Perhaps, if there’s time, I’d recommend a stroll down Main Street for some shopping and then load everyone up for the 40 minute drive to Crested Butte.

In CB I would arrange hikes up to the peak of Gothic, Mt Crested Butte, Wetstone, Cinnamon, Baldy, and Teocali Mountain.

For a taste of adventure, I’d recommend white water rafting in Almont with Three Rivers.

I’d set up a lake day for guests to experience Lake Irwin and possibly hike Scarp Ridge. For those less excited about hiking, I’d have paddle boards from Wheelies and Waves available to guests wanting to get their feet wet.

If there were people interested in Fly Fishing, I would recommend they get a guide from Dragonfly Anglers and enjoy snagging some trout.

In nearby Paonia there are several orchards available for fruit picking and wine tasting. This would be a great option for foodies.

The food scene in CB is incredible. You have several global options right at your fingertips. From Italian, French, Nepalese, and American, to Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and Mexican, you can’t go wrong with supporting our local restaurants. Plus, a trip to CB isn’t a trip unless you eat at The Secret Stash, arguably the best pizza in America.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shout out to my husband, my family, and my friends for encouraging me to take a leap into an industry I have little knowledge about. Because of them I have the strength to to create an outlet for people all over the world to experience nature in one of the most scenic places I have come to know well- Crested Butte.

Website: www.peaktravelplanning.com

Instagram: peak_travel_planning

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