wildblueyonder

Hi all
Currently, our plans have us staying overnight just outside of Denver, en route between Hill City, Black Hills and Moab. We actually did previously have a stop in Estes Park, but as I added in an extra day in Moab, I decided against that. However, now I'm wondering if it would be nicer to stop in Estes Park, get up early, drive the Trail Ridge Road and then continue down to the I-70 to Moab. I realise that we will not do the Trail Ridge Road justice, when so rushed, but would you recommend doing this, or would we be better off to remain in Denver? Thanks.

tekwriter

It's certainly possible; I'd estimate the driving time about eight hours total between Estes Park and Moab without stopping. I'm assuming you're traveling in the summer because Trail Ridge Road opens around Memorial Day and can close temporarily due to bad weather esp. early in the season. The drive is certainly worth it even if you don't stop (and you still might be able to pull over to grab some pictures at the top). You will have to pay the park entrance fee of $20, unless you have an access card to all the parks (which you probably would get if you're doing so many parks in your trip).

wildblueyonder

Thank you, tekwriter.
Yes, both mapquest and googlemaps had told me about 8 hours, but I wasn't sure if I could trust them on this one! So, I reckon if I allow an hour for stops on the TRR, half an hour for a coffee at Vail and another half an hour at Glenwood Springs (to look at the pool + another coffee!) and add on an extra hour for other stops, then we *should* be in Moab by around 7:00pm (if leaving at 8 - hmmm)I think we'll go for it!
Yes, it will be summer - mid-June - so long daylight hours. And, yes, we'll have a parks pass. I'm a bit disappointed about the change to the USGS to purchase them. I've bought 2 passes in the past and always got them directly mailed to me, so that we had our card when we left the UK. However, now, the USGS won't allow online purchase from overseas - you have to fill in a form and send it to them! They will then send a card to you, but they don't indicate how long that might take (the NPS were very quick). So we will buy our pass at our first park, which will probably be Badlands, SD. Boo to the USGS, particularly as I gave them many references when I did my Earth Science degree project on Mt Rainier!
Thanks again!

sylvia3

If you don't mind that longer drive, I wouldn't miss Trail Ridge; you can stop at overlooks, etc., and not be in bad traffic if you get an early start.

tekwriter

Definitely plan to buy your parks pass at your first stop - no reason not to! We buy ours every year at a drive-up ranger station, usually at the RMNP entrance, using a credit card. Takes no more than a few minutes. I wouldn't trust the mail or the paperwork from overseas.

You'll have a long, but VERY scenic day driving from Estes to Moab. You'll find the effort more than worth it!

BibE1

Perhaps the best thing would be to drive TRR the day you get to Estes and stay overnight in Grand Lake rather than Estes. That would give you more of a chance to take your time instead of having to look at the time and make sure you keep moving. Obviously this doesn't work if you're original plan gets you to Estes in the late evening, but on another post it sounded like you have less than 400 miles to drive from your previous overnight stay, so late afternoon is the more likely arrival time?

Whichever you choose, make sure you take the scenic route to Moab off of I-70 (Hwy. 128, not 191).

Dayle

Hi wildblue,

I also buy my annual pass every year at whichever park I happen to visit first. No problem, only takes a minute! Certainly easy.

Have a great trip

wildblueyonder

Thanks guys. My husband will be delighted that I'm changing the route yet again! And no worries over the parks pass now, thanks.

BibE1, I'm not sure about driving the TRR at the end of the long drive from the Black Hills. We'll have 'rested up' for 3 days there, but it's still a 400 mile drive down to RMNP. I think we'll probably book somewhere in EP. Yes, we have to take Hwy 128, as our lodging's along there - Red Cliffs Lodge! Looks positively gorgeous! We're there for 2 nights, so it won't be too much of a disaster if we're very late, as we'll have all the next day for Arches, before shooting off down to Monument Valley! I get tired just thinking about it!

BTW, for the drive down from Hill City to the Rockies, I wanted to go via Fort Robinson (and tick off Nebraska!), but it appears to be adding a lot of time to the journey, going that way. Would it be worth it? (Sorry, another question).

sylvia3

No.

wildblueyonder

Thanks sylvia.