Denver/Colorado Spring/Estes Park Sept 23rd - 27th
Sep 14th, 2013, 03:13 AM
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Denver/Colorado Spring/Estes Park Sept 23rd - 27th
These are our tentative plans (fortunately we still have a little time make changes if needed). Best flight price was into Denver. Arrive Mon. (Sept 23rd) 11:30 AM. Pick-up rental car and drive to Colorado Springs. Staying at Rainbow Lodge. Spend Mon. & part of Tues. (Sept 24th) seeing Garden of Gods, Pike's Peak ect.... Late Tues. afternoon head to Denver to take in the Rockies/Red Sox night game at Coors Field. Staying at Best Western on Quebec St. This is the only part of our trip not up for change as we already have our tickets for the game. Wed. (Sept. 25th) head to Estes Park to visit Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Staying at Coyote Mountain Lodge. Late Thurs. afternoon (Sept. 26th) drive to Windsor to stay overnight with family. From their house we'll head back to Denver airport Fri. afternoon (Sept 27th) for our early evening flight home.
With the recent rain & flooding in these areas we're more than a little nervous about the trip we've been planning since Feb. We aren't really into hiking (due to health concerns) but are interested in seeing as much of the areas we visit and don't mind driving, esp scenic routes.
Any information or suggestions about our trip would be appreciated.
Newport,RI
With the recent rain & flooding in these areas we're more than a little nervous about the trip we've been planning since Feb. We aren't really into hiking (due to health concerns) but are interested in seeing as much of the areas we visit and don't mind driving, esp scenic routes.
Any information or suggestions about our trip would be appreciated.
Newport,RI
Sep 14th, 2013, 03:19 AM
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I think your going to have to wait a bit longer to know for sure.
You could opt for somewhere else beside RMNP. You could also drive to the other side and enter from Grand Lake side(if for some reason the road/Estes is in some kind of bad shape still)
You could opt for somewhere else beside RMNP. You could also drive to the other side and enter from Grand Lake side(if for some reason the road/Estes is in some kind of bad shape still)
Sep 14th, 2013, 05:18 AM
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We were supposed to go to RMNP this weekend but all roads in are closed due to flooding.
Many roads in and around Denver are closed. Major damage to roads and property and it's not over yet.
http://www.cotrip.org/roadConditions.htm
Right now Trail Ridge road in the park is only open for necessary travel.
www.nps.gov/romo
I've also read of flooding in Manitou Springs (west side of Colorado Springs).
Many roads in and around Denver are closed. Major damage to roads and property and it's not over yet.
http://www.cotrip.org/roadConditions.htm
Right now Trail Ridge road in the park is only open for necessary travel.
www.nps.gov/romo
I've also read of flooding in Manitou Springs (west side of Colorado Springs).
Sep 14th, 2013, 08:12 AM
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I live in the Denver area and I would keep the first half of your trip as planned.
Why did you pick the Best Western on Quebec Street? Is there any way you could stay downtown? I would not choose that hotel/location if I was on vacation. The exit ramp at I-70 and Quebec is closed at the moment due to flooding.
Estes Park is a BIG unknown. I don't think we will find out until the next couple of days the true extent of the damage. Phone service is down. Pick another destination or at least have a back-up plan. I love RMNP but there are many nice mountain destinations.
Have you spoken with your family in Windsor to get a first hand account of conditions?
> Not really. With the exception of a few areas, the Denver metro area made it through this in good shape. If you were here today you would not have any trouble getting around. But you will be stopped if you try to head into Boulder, Lyons, Longmont, Greeley, and the canyons toward the northwest.
Why did you pick the Best Western on Quebec Street? Is there any way you could stay downtown? I would not choose that hotel/location if I was on vacation. The exit ramp at I-70 and Quebec is closed at the moment due to flooding.
Estes Park is a BIG unknown. I don't think we will find out until the next couple of days the true extent of the damage. Phone service is down. Pick another destination or at least have a back-up plan. I love RMNP but there are many nice mountain destinations.
Have you spoken with your family in Windsor to get a first hand account of conditions?
> Not really. With the exception of a few areas, the Denver metro area made it through this in good shape. If you were here today you would not have any trouble getting around. But you will be stopped if you try to head into Boulder, Lyons, Longmont, Greeley, and the canyons toward the northwest.
Sep 14th, 2013, 08:35 AM
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WTM003...we picked the Denver hotel based on price and what we thought was a good location....one night at a downtown hotel is more than my monthly car payment. There is a Quality Inn outside of downtown....is that any good? If worst comes to worse we can stay w/our family and do day trips but we wanted a hotel somewhat close to the ball field since it's a night game & won't get out till late.
Sep 14th, 2013, 09:09 AM
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> Not really. With the exception of a few areas, the Denver metro area made it through this in good shape. If you were here today you would not have any trouble getting around. But you will be stopped if you try to head into Boulder, Lyons, Longmont, Greeley, and the canyons toward the northwest."
Just going by what your Colorado Highway and Roadway website map shows:
www.cotrip.org
Just going by what your Colorado Highway and Roadway website map shows:
www.cotrip.org
Sep 14th, 2013, 09:13 AM
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Your hotel on Quebec is quite a distance from Coors field!
For a relatively inexpensive hotel, I'd look at the chain properties on Colorado Blvd, which advertise themselves as being in Cherry Creek (which is a stretch).
http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Or try the Warwick Hotel, on the eastern edge of downtown. It is nice and usually not that expensive.
For a relatively inexpensive hotel, I'd look at the chain properties on Colorado Blvd, which advertise themselves as being in Cherry Creek (which is a stretch).
http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Or try the Warwick Hotel, on the eastern edge of downtown. It is nice and usually not that expensive.
Sep 14th, 2013, 09:25 AM
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Viveiros, I started looking for other hotels after my comment and I agree the prices are ridiculous that night. $400 for the Courtyard?!?!? I'll keep looking. It might be easier to figure out after you decide what to do on the 25th.
Connie, there are NOT many roads closed IN Denver, even on the map. The problem is going north and northwest of Denver.
Connie, there are NOT many roads closed IN Denver, even on the map. The problem is going north and northwest of Denver.
Sep 14th, 2013, 09:27 AM
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Viveiros, I started looking for other hotels after my comment and I agree the prices are ridiculous that night. $400 for the Courtyard?!?!? I'll keep looking. It might be easier to figure out after you decide what to do on the 25th.
Connie, there are NOT many roads closed IN Denver, even on the map. The problem is going north and northwest of Denver.
Connie, there are NOT many roads closed IN Denver, even on the map. The problem is going north and northwest of Denver.
Sep 14th, 2013, 12:44 PM
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Have you looked the La Quinta--it really IS near Coors Field. I can't speak for its "quality" but the price might be right.
The Warwick inexpensive? Changed since our kids were downtown.
Parking will be expensive if you drive to the game remember. That is one beautiful ball park!! What a treat.
The Warwick inexpensive? Changed since our kids were downtown.
Parking will be expensive if you drive to the game remember. That is one beautiful ball park!! What a treat.
Sep 14th, 2013, 12:50 PM
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I would certainly do something other than RMNP. The easy roads from Denver (36 or 34) are impassible (looks like 34 will be closed for weeks if not months). I would not take all the time to go the long way over the Trail Ridge Road to get somewhere at which everything might be closed. Plus with a cold snap, it could be closed.
WithI25 re-opened, it is no problem to get to Windsor.
WithI25 re-opened, it is no problem to get to Windsor.
Sep 14th, 2013, 01:52 PM
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Connie, do you have a link? Here is the link for the City & County of Denver - probably from last night.
"Flood Response Update
The transportation network in Denver is largely open and passable for the evening rush hour. Road closures are in effect in the areas of Colfax and Yosemite, 47th and Quebec and 56th and Roslyn, where crews are on-site and attempting to contain flooding."
http://www.denvergov.org/
That is minimal road closures and not a major impact especially if you are a tourist.
Maybe that county official (Larimer, Boulder, Weld?) meant to say travel from Denver. There is enough devastation north of us and no need to exaggerate it for the Denver metro area.
"Flood Response Update
The transportation network in Denver is largely open and passable for the evening rush hour. Road closures are in effect in the areas of Colfax and Yosemite, 47th and Quebec and 56th and Roslyn, where crews are on-site and attempting to contain flooding."
http://www.denvergov.org/
That is minimal road closures and not a major impact especially if you are a tourist.
Maybe that county official (Larimer, Boulder, Weld?) meant to say travel from Denver. There is enough devastation north of us and no need to exaggerate it for the Denver metro area.
Sep 14th, 2013, 01:57 PM
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Here is the current list of road closures. I only see 4 in the metro area.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/traf...34-co-14-co-72
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/traf...34-co-14-co-72
Sep 14th, 2013, 02:27 PM
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I love it when someone from Texas wants to argue with locals over the conditions of our roads. As stated, it is very difficult to drive the NORTH WEST corridor of the Denver/ Boulder, Estes Park area because most of those roads are closed or restricted to local traffic. Estes Park, Jamestown, Lyons are completely cut off due to washed out roads and severe floods (exceeding the Big Thompson flood of 76). Take E Park off your list. Even if access is re-established in the next two week, they do not need a bunch tourist hanging around. E Park is accessible from the west by Trail Ridge road but restricted to locals. At this time I would plan nothing in that area. As I am typing the thunder is building and the threat of rain very high so it is not going to get better soon.
What part of town is your family in? The hotels along Quebec are marginal at best. The access to Coors field from that area is long and difficult. And Coors field was not designed as a drive in ball park. Parking is very limited, expensive, and tricky to find. A lot of private lots down allies and around the corner. I would discourage someone who doesn't know their way around from driving to the game. I have lived here nearly 35 years and I don't drive to the games.
The are lot of chain hotels in the south I-25 corridor, especially south of Hampden/I-225 (aka Denver Tech Center) Big advantage is that the SE Light Rail follows I-25S and you can use the light rail to get to and from Coors field very easy and safe. For the far end of the Tech Ctr it is about 45 mins via light rail and obviously short the closer your are to Hampden.
There are also hotels closer in around I-25S and Colorado. Any of those would be better and more convenient than Quebec. You really need to look at a city map.
As for the balance of your trip, look for areas south of I-70 corridor. The areas are just as scenic. Take 285 S out of Denver to Breckenridge is nearly as nice as RMNP and pretty dry. Lots of things to see and do in the Breckenridge/Summit Cty area. And at this time, lodging should be pretty cheap. Vail has been offering some nice packages recently.
One last comment, avoid being on I-70 returning to Denver on a Sunday afternoon and evening.
What part of town is your family in? The hotels along Quebec are marginal at best. The access to Coors field from that area is long and difficult. And Coors field was not designed as a drive in ball park. Parking is very limited, expensive, and tricky to find. A lot of private lots down allies and around the corner. I would discourage someone who doesn't know their way around from driving to the game. I have lived here nearly 35 years and I don't drive to the games.
The are lot of chain hotels in the south I-25 corridor, especially south of Hampden/I-225 (aka Denver Tech Center) Big advantage is that the SE Light Rail follows I-25S and you can use the light rail to get to and from Coors field very easy and safe. For the far end of the Tech Ctr it is about 45 mins via light rail and obviously short the closer your are to Hampden.
There are also hotels closer in around I-25S and Colorado. Any of those would be better and more convenient than Quebec. You really need to look at a city map.
As for the balance of your trip, look for areas south of I-70 corridor. The areas are just as scenic. Take 285 S out of Denver to Breckenridge is nearly as nice as RMNP and pretty dry. Lots of things to see and do in the Breckenridge/Summit Cty area. And at this time, lodging should be pretty cheap. Vail has been offering some nice packages recently.
One last comment, avoid being on I-70 returning to Denver on a Sunday afternoon and evening.
Sep 14th, 2013, 03:30 PM
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We are being hammered again. This time on the NE side around DIA and west. Four inches in the last hour. Lots of low level flooding and it is all going to go into the Platte and head towards E Park and Greeley.
