Very nice Horn, I have ridden there a couple of times, Also done Independence pass a couple of times, Pikes peak 2 times, Coors classic through vail, and some other obscure trails deep in the Rockies that I have no idea what there called.
Unless you buy there high end bikes treks are worthless. Huffy, Mongoose, Worthless. Specialized, Condonable, Chiristini, Fisher, are good. If you are not sure if this is something that you will end up doing for the rest of your life I would go with a Specialized Hard Rock. This was my first bike. I took it over independence pass for the first time, road it to work and all over Colorado springs, and castle rock. The bike lived for 7 years without having to replace anything, (but tires and brakes) You will spend about 400.00 and if it not something you will do every day just every once and a while this will be worth it because it will last even longer.
You all that live in Colorado, Snowmass and the summit, how is the jobs there right now? Been wanting to move back home…