Obviously we don't know enough about your specific situation but water is almost always the key in these cases. The combination of altitude and very low humidity in the mountain west affects a lot of people. You have to drink a lot more than normal, if you don't need to use every rest room you find you aren't drinking enough!

Thanks Bob...

You need to basically "force" water. Just drink it all the time. Limit alcohol for a day or so and then moderation. Aspirin may help. Since you know it affects you quite adversely I'd ask your doctor for the prescription drug for it.

Lay off the liquor and caffeine. Go up in elevation a bit each day. Denver is 6000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park and Pikes Peak are 14,000-so save those places for late in your trip. Acclimate a bit each day. Ginger and peppermint help some people(perhaps). Avoid the really tough hikes if you don't feel well. If you have a headache that is just the beginning, some people get really sick at their stomachs if they continue on. Come back down if you aren't feeling well.

Drink water as the other two suggest. Start a day before you get there. Be well hydrated before and during your trip.
That first day, don't do that much hiking.

Denver and envrions are not that high and affect very few people. Start there and gradually increase altitude day by day. I fyuo make a big jump all at once the problems will be more noticable. Agree to drinks LOTS of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

If in the past you have found that even 6000 feet or so bothers you I would definitely see your MD for suggestions.

There was just a study suggesting that advil helps with altitude sickness just as well as taking prescription diamox. and yes avoid alcohol and drink lots of water and don't try to do too much especially the first day.


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/health/research/ibuprofen-can-head-off-acute-mountain-sickness-study-finds.html?_r=1

If you or any of your party have heart disease, you must consult with your doctor before going to high altitude areas. The change from sea-level to 9000 feet was so stressful for a friend's elderly father that their dream trip of a lifetime had to be canceled so they could return to a lower altitude. Had they driven from the East Coast to Colorado he might have been fine as his body adjusted, bt flying into Telluride wasn't so good.

This was not altitude sickness in the ordinary sense, but as people with mountaineering experience know, incredibly fit people develop altitude sickness.

I don't think I would rely on any herbal remedy to get me through. Just follow the advice to go slowly and drink lots of water and not much else. In general, if your urine is not colorless, you aren't drinking enough water.

This repeats what was said above, but:

The advice you've been given is spot on. I've spent a few months at high elevation (above 14,000'), much of that in my late 40's to early 50's, so have some experience. I've seen younger and fitter folks drop while us older guys kept chugging along. This is because we set a moderate and sustainable pace, not constantly pushing ourselves.

One mountaineer rule is "climb high, sleep low". Go to a higher elevation during the day, spend a few hours up there, and come back lower down to sleep. If you can arrange your itinerary to gradually gain elevation over a few days then that will be extremely helpful. Save higher elevation hikes for the end of your trip.

As mentioned stay hydrated, hydrated, hydrated! Force WATER down, several liters per day. Start this before you arrive, though I understand the difficulty this presents during a flight. As mentioned, monitor urine color. It should almost as clear as a Rocky Mountain spring!

The above two points (ascent gradually, stay hydrated) are the single most important things you can do to help ensure a good trip.

Good luck and have fun. Where are you planning to hike?

As skiers, this is an issue that concerns us.

We drink lots of water, skip alcohol and caffeine for the first two days, take an aspirin every morning and every evening to thin the blood and improve oxygenation.

Even with all that, DH still has trouble over 8000'--so he takes prescription Diamox, which has made a huge difference for him.

Very good advice above and sometimes - the only solution is just to get to lower altitude.

And hey - as we get older - it just becomes harder/takes longer to acclimate. When I was in my 20's/30's, we would arrive for a ski trip - party all night and hit the slopes the next day and be fine.

Woaaaah Cowboy - no so once you get into your 40's and beyond.

Thank you all. What great advise. H2O seems to be the main ingredient. We don't drink or do Caffeine so we are good there. The Diamox is out for me since I don't do good on Sulfa drugs.

So I guess if we spend the first night in Denver that would be a good start. Do a walk in one of the parks.That seems to be the lowest at around 5200 ft.

We will then make our way down to around Colorado Springs or stay in Manitou Spring . Explore and then Hike around this area. Maybe stay a night or 2 there and then head down to the great Sand Dunes do a hike in the San Isabell National Forest stay in L Veta.

From there head back up to RMNP area with one overnight stop. ANY suggestions where to stop off for the night????

Then do one night around RMNP. Any suggestions for here also would help.

We are only here for 6 nights. Not really much time so we hope we aren't doing too much driving.

Since you mention The Great Sand Dunes. The last couple of weeks in May, Medano Creek is usually at its best(although this year is going to be down as there isn't much snow melt). Anyway, you need a 4 wheel drive high clearance to do this road. It is spectacular. You might beg someone to let you ride with them. DO NOT even think about doing this in a regular car-you will get stuck.

I really like The Loch/Sky Pond hike in RMNP. I would have a meal at Stanley Hotel-just to see it.

Saving RMNP until the end will help.

Where to stop for a night between La Veta (a charming little town--one of our favorites, BTW) and Estes depends on which route you want to take. If you opt for I-25 (La Veta-Walsenberg-through Denver-exit highway 34 up Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park)--I wouldn't stop for an overnight and just go straight to Estes Park and spend two nights there.

If you decide to take a more scenic route--one choice would be to take highway 69 northwest from Walsenburg to highway 50 to highway 285 north and stay at Mt.Princeton Hot Springs Lodge south of Buena Vista. This would be about a 3 hour drive from La Veta. http://www.mtprinceton.com/

Or you could continue on highway 285 to Fairplay, then north on highway 9 and stay the night in Breckenridge. This would be about a 4 hour drive from La Veta.

To get to Estes Park from either Mt Princeton or Breckenridge you need to go north to I-70 E. You can take a scenic route to Estes--I-70 east--exit highway 6--then highway 119 north--highway 72 north--highway 7 north into Estes Park. For most of the way, you will be following the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway--it is a gorgeous drive. http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/scenic-byways

Or you can stay on I-70 east almost to Denver, north to Boulder, then highway 119 up Boulder Canyon to Nederland and pick up the Peak to Peak byway there.

Since you will be here in Colorado in about 10 days, please pay attention to the local weather forecasts. It still can snow in May--we had snow Sunday night in the higher elevations--but it melted quickly and today should be 80 degrees in Denver.

Another option for getting to Estes from Breckenridge, per martym's excellent suggestion above. From Breck instead of going to the Peak to Peak byway, you can head north on Highway 9 through Kremmling-Granby-Grand Lake then up and over Trail Ridge Road. This should have just opened towards the end of your trip.

This way you'll see that spectacular drive on your way to Estes, and get a "climb high, sleep low" day thrown into the bargain.

You can still drive the Peak to Peak on your way back to Denver.

Have a great trip.

Will Trail Ridge Road be open by then?

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/road_status.htm

It's scheduled to open May 25(weather permitting)

altitude sickness can be fun too.

I split a gut, crying laughing while driving thru Monarch Pass.

hydrate

To clarify, you don't need 4WD or a high clearance vehicle to GET TO Great Sand Dunes N.P.

Denver is wonderful, but if you are just going to walk in the park, head on down to the Springs and acclimate.

I didn't have any problem at all with the altitude in Dever,but it really bothered me in Breckenridge. Everyone adjusts to the altitude differently-hope you have a good time.

We saw bottled oxygen for sale in shops in Colorado ski towns. It is sold as a recreational product to boost performance by skiers etc. It comes in a canister, like a household room spray but with a cone-type device to direct the oxygen to your nose and mouth, cost $15-20 I think. Several people said they got relief from mild headache buy inhaling a few bursts. Perhaps ask your doctor if this might be worth a try.

nlg,
Breckenridge(especially if you are up on the mounrain skiing, hiking, or biking) is a lot higher than Denver. Most people won't feel the effect until 6,000 or 7,000 feet.

Was talking to someone else about altitude, and it sometimes "just depends". I have been sick as a dog in Denver one trip and fine on many others.

I would vote for going from La Veta straight to Estes Park without an overnight stop somewhere. Estes Park is only 500 feet higher so if you can handle La Veta you should be fine in Estes Park.

I would not plan on driving through Grand Lake to get to Estes Park. Unlikely that Trail Ridge Road would be open. Plus it is very possible that the elevation (over 12K at the high point) will make you feel awful. Far better to attempt that drive from Estes Park, knowing you can simply turn around and go back down if you don't feel good. But from Grand Lake you will either have to continue up and over or go back down and make a lengthy detour to Estes Park.

I'll disagree with spiro on hiking the Loch/Sky Pond - I don't think that's a good choice for May due to snow cover, plus the elevation is likely to adversely affect you. I would recommend starting at Bear Lake and hiking to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake if you feel up to it. It's a nice acclimation hike for most people. I would also suggest the hike to Gem Lake, it's somewhat lower in elevation with nice views of the Estes Park valley, and the trail should be entirely snow-free. My personal favorite is Bierstadt Lake - the main trail to it should be mostly snow-free but once you get close to the lake you're more likely to run into snow.

There's nothing wrong with just driving around taking in the views, and wandering some of the easy/lower elevation trails in any of the meadows/valleys (Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Horseshoe Park).

Just know that Bear Lake Road is under construction, so check out the current condition and restrictions.
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/bearlakeroad_reconstruction.htm

Thank you all for your wonderful input.

I know Colorado Springs is higher than Denver. So I am thinking we should stay in Denver our first night. Any good suggestions on thinks to do. I had mentioned taking a walk in a park and someone suggested we head to Colorado Springs instead but I am concerned that the altitude there might be too much for me at first..

So here is what I need now.
Places to stay in Denver for first night. (final night we will stay at the airport - suggestions for airport hotel appreciated also)

Manitou Springs or Colorado springs for lodging? Probably 2 nights.

La Veta - lodging suggestions

And lodging up around RMNP?

Final big question can we book on the go or should I be concerned about availability. When I was looking into home rentals (homeaway and VRBO) we were originally going to spend a whole week in Manitou or Colorado Springs and do day trips. Every place I looked at was booked.

How does staying in one place for the 6 days sound to all of you who have been there and live there and where would you suggest if you think it is a good idea.

Once again thanks in advance to all who are still looking at this thread.

Denver has a beautiful Art Museum and National History Museum. And a quick drive to the cute college town of Boulder could be fun.

And I think Manitou Springs is more charming than C. Springs but it's not that radically different of a base from which to explore the area.

I agree with wherearewe. My mistake.
I do think May would be to early for Sky Pond hike. We were there last July, I wasn't thinking about snow(there was some snow in July last summer).

You can't see Great Sand Dunes and RMNP if you stay in the same place. It just depends on what you want to do and how much backtracking you want to do if you venture very far from your lodging spot.

I read the same study a couple of months ago that williamscb13 linked above, and it is basically the approach I follow. I live in the Denver area and if I go to the mountains with just a smidgen of a headache, it can end up being a blinding headache where I end up nauseous. I can usually avoid this by being proactive and taking ibuprofen the night before going to the mountains or before starting a hike.

I second the recommendation for starting your RMNP hiking at Bear Lake. It really is a good point for deciding if you want to keep going.

If you are so sensitive that the difference between the Spings and Denver is important, then don't hike, etc.
I think Manitou is just too precious for words--or spending much time in, but everyone is different.
I'd stay in Denver for a few days and then go to RMNP if I only had 6 days.

HUMM you know Gretchen that might not be such a bad idea. We are so use to taking a 2 week vacation when we travel this 6 day trip has been a little difficult for me to plan. We usually have a lot of time to just explore a whole state. Anyone want to chime in on leaving out the Sand Dunes and just staying around Denver and RMNP?

I was actually going to suggest that you wait and see how the altitude affects you before going up and staying overnight at a higher elevation. If Denver's altitude causes issues you'll be worse off at La Veta or Estes Park. But you could do day trips to RMNP from Boulder or Fort Collins.

I think at that time of year you can afford to be flexible and not make lodging reservations ahead of time. I can't imagine Estes Park will fill up, so if you get there and the altitude hits you hard, just drive to Boulder or Fort Collins for the overnight. And for sure if Denver bothers you significantly for the first day, you may want to stay there another day or two before moving on to something higher as a day trip.

I guess I'm saying play it by ear, see how you feel and have a few different plans for what you want to see and where you can stay overnight based on all your research.

My mistake on suggesting Trail Ridge Road - for some reason I thought you were staying ten days, in which case it should have been opened by the end of your trip. But with only six days I'd also vote for a couple in Denver and the rest up at Estes, provided you are feeling OK.

The best lower elevation hikes in RMNP at this time of year, IMHO, are around the Cub Lake / Fern Lake area. There are various options:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/bear_lake_summer_trails.pdf

The ~6 mile loop to The Pool and over to Cub Lake can't be beat this time of year. It is also about the flattest six miles you'll find in the Park. Hallowell Park is nice. The Gem Lake suggestion above is also excellent.

Let us know how it goes!

P.S. Trail distances and elevation gains are here:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/list_hiking_trails.htm

Alberta Falls is another great option. You can keep going beyond there as far as you want.

I'll chime in again. There is more to do and see from Denver to Estes for a short trip. Boulder is a fun town, and there are nice hikes there. Denver is fun. We've seen the dunes--but we were headed for the southwest corner of the state.

Wow this has been great advise from all of you. We will play it by ear and spend at least the first day in Denver. We have seen sand dunes in UTAH, Coral Pink Sand Dunes and in Texas, the White Sand Dunes, I know they are all different but I am thinking on leaving these out for now. So maybe we won't head south and just play around closer to RMNP area.

Any good HOT SPRINGS in and around this area. My initial plan was to head way over to Ouray and Pagosa springs but way too far for 6 days if we want to get in a few hikes it won't work with all that driving.

I will post when we return. I will will either add to this post or start a new post with the words Colorado and altitude in it. Thanks again.

I don't see where you provided any detail - but many people will always have trouble with high altitudes due to physical problems. these can range from asthma, to reduced lung capacity from having been a smoker - or just from normal loss of capacity due to age.

If this is a continuing problem you should speak to your doctor to see if it's healthy for you to go to very high altitudes. (I have a friend with asthma and her MD has told her just not to go above 5,000 feet or so due to the problems she has.)

*Any good HOT SPRINGS in and around this area.*

Glenwood Springs, about 3 hours from Denver

nytraveler thanks for the info but I am in great health but I do tend to get migrains even in low altitudes. So I am going to HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE, take advil (as was posted and I read the article) bring my migraine med. So once again thank you all for the good info.

Will probably base ourselves in Denver. Any accommadation suggestions? I looked at Homeaway and VRBO not much left at a decent price range. Looking to stay at least under $100 or $150 a night. I hope that isn't a ridiculous wish.

Migraines are NOT altitude headaches. I get migraines also. I have never had one in Denver. All headaches are not created equal.
Advil? Aspirin IS the blood thinner which is what is needed. I think the OP needs to talk to her doctor. There is 'way too much medicine goin' on. BUT if no one cares, then take what you want.
And I don't go to the supermarket without my migraine meds. BUT if it isn't a migraine, then those meds are not going to be worth a tinker's dam.

Gretchen,

There was a post early on in the tread that sited an article in the NY times about a study done with Advil

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/health/research/ibuprofen-can-head-off-acute-mountain-sickness-study-finds.html?_r=1

That is why I mentioned it. The research states that they found it works just as good if not better in some people then DIAMOX (for altitude sickness) I can't take this because I think it is sulfa based.

I am sure I will be fine with easing into it and staying hydrated. We have been to many places in the mountains and I have survived so I am hoping this won't be too bad. I too have my migraine meds in my bag at all times.

Thanks for the input.

First, drink water. We go to Co for skiing a lot and sometimes I have gotten a bit of altitude sickness other time nothing. A couple years ago my brother in law and I both had bad headaches and a waitress suggested these altitude vitamin pills. They were at all the stores in small packs. Seems like they were vitamins, minerals and some herbs. We both felt good quickly. Now ipick them up every time. I haven't had any problem since. Just a thought!

Geez Gretchen, for someone complaining about "way too much medicine goin' on" you sure feel a need to insist that aspirin is needed. I would never offer medical advice, but as someone born and raised in Denver I thought my input might be helpful. I'm glad that you have never had a migraine in Denver, I've never had one in Hawaii. What value does either offer to the OP?

6abc I'm sure you will have a great trip as you are already ahead of the game by being prepared and planning to take it easy. Have fun!

Sorry didn't mean to be over the top.

We are all good here Right? I am sure everyones input was well intentioned and I appreciate the conversation. It is like family being around a kitchen table. Sometimes things get a little heated but it all is good...

Hey OCdogsmon any idea what the name of the vitamins are. Not sure if Philadelphia area will carry altitude pills but it is worth a shot. I will check out the label and see if I like the contents.

I have asked a few times if any one can suggests lodging in Denver. Maybe I should start another post on that one.

Thanks again.

If you had trouble in Sedona, then I wouldn't even consider going to Colorado - virtually everywhere in the state is higher than Sedona.

One more suggestion. I use a saline nasal mist to help with the dryness and to breathe a bit better. The product I use is called "Ayr" and you can find it at Walgreens. Not really specifically altitude related, but anything that helps breathing can't hurt.

If you had trouble in Sedona, then I wouldn't even consider going to Colorado - virtually everywhere in the state is higher than Sedona.

It seems like that would make sense, but altitude issues don't always work that way. A person might get AMS on one trip but not on another, or the other way around. Tough to predict in many cases.

6abc, can't help you with your lodging question other than to say my wife and I are thinking of staying in the Denver Westin one night to test drive their Heavenly Bed. That would be $200. The Westin is slightly higher end in my book, so your $100-150 range seems doable.

Good luck.

To me Medano Creek is one of the really special things about the sand dunes. You will be there when it is normally at its peak. Also The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America. Plus, you are seeing sand where you just don't expect to see them. You are likely to see both elk and deer in and around the park. Zapatta Falls is worth seeing(just a few miles from the dunes).

The negatives-They are a long way from everything. There is really not anywhere to stay(one place) and really nothing at all to eat.

I assume you meant to say White Sands Nation Monument(it's in New Mexico, not Texas)???

Yes I did mean White Sands in NM. So very cool...I was looking forward to Medano Creek but I think since we only have 6 days we are going to stay up towards the Denver and RMNP area.

And bigtyke...too late plane reservations are already made. Like a few posts have mentioned sometime you can go to the same place and be fine. I am hoping for the best with CO.

I did speak to a doctor today and he told me he goes to Vail every year and the trick is to drink A LOT of water just like many of the above posts have said. So here is hoping for the best

6abc, I found the package...they are called Altitude Adjustment. Shows a website www.altitude-adjustment.com. They have ginko, ginger and some other stuff. I saw them at a lot of the ski resorts, Copper Mtn,Vail etc and the big grocery store in Frisco. They worked for me, but I was skiing so I also used some advil and despite it all, I drank alcohol too...what can I say, it was vacation! . Have a great trip!

Please file a trip report (either a separate one or on this post) to let us know how it goes.

Thanks everyone. I will file a trip report when we return.

Sorry to bother everyone again. Just wanted to firm up some plans for our trip this coming week. We haven't made any reservations and will probably hold off till right before we leave. BUT I do have one more altitude question:

I am thinking of skipping Denver (the thought of starting in a city doesn't thrill me). Would like to head right to Boulder. The altitude difference is about 400feet higher in Boulder. For those of you who are more familiar with altitude adjustment is the 400 feet a big concern? I know it is hard to say because everyone is so different I am just curious on any input on the several hundred feet.

I just realized I am coming from 39 feet (Philadelphia) WOW never realized we were that low.

Don't worry about the difference between Boulder and Denver. The official elevation of Denver is 5280, but it varies depending on where in the city you are. The airport is 5430, which oddly enough is the same elevation as Boulder. Nevertheless, you won't notice any difference between Boulder and Denver in terms of altitude and how you react to it.

Ditto, four hundred feet won't make a difference.

Interestingly though, if you do get altitude sickness (at higher elevations), then a descent of 1000 feet is sometimes all that is required to feel much better.

Boulder is nice and has much more of an in-the-mountains feeling than Denver, with the Flatirons towering above the town.

Also interesting: the elevation of Denver ranges from 5130 to 5680. So depending on where your hotel is located in Denver, you might actually be higher in elevation than if you had gone to Boulder.

I think your perceived past experience is overriding the possibility that you will be just fine if you do what is good for acclimating. And as everyone else is saying, the difference is SO little in the "foothills" from one place to another. I probably am at less sea level than you. I go to Denver often, and sometimes still have a problem, BUT mostly not.
Please go, drink LOTS of water, take the Advil/aspirin, enter into your activities and enjoy Colorado.

Thanks again everyone. Just booked a place in Boulder for the first 3 nights. NOW I am getting excited. The weather looks like it will be cooperating most of the time according to the 10 day. And I am sure we will be fine. I have dealt with this before on other trips out to the southwest I just don't think I ever labeled it a problem with the altitude. Now that I look back I can see that it did affect me and is unpredictable.

In Boulder for that time, be sure to go on the Celestial Seasonings tour. It is a LOT of fun and very interesting--couple of hours very near Boulder.

martym has reported in another thread that Trail Ridge Road opened yesterday, earlier than normal.
http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/mountain-passes-open-early-in-colorado.cfm

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/road_status.htm

You can drive up there for the day, then Boulder will seem like sea level!

Have a great trip, weather forecast looks good.

Me again. Planning on Glenwood Springs after our 3 days in Boulder. any suggestions which hotel. I am looking at the Glenwood Springs lodge that has the pools. Any opinions? Planning on 3 days here and then a day going back towards denver to the airport. Where to stay on the way back to Denver? or should we just add another day to either Boulder or Glenwood?

Thanks for the info on the road opening.

I think 3 days in Boulder is plenty. You will be able to go to Aspen from Glenwood, and there is a lot to do in that area.
Are you planning on RMNP any time on this trip? It would be a shame not to at least travel through it as close as you are. Just my opinion, of course.

Gretchen, we could probably incorporate that into our stay in Boulder. Since Boulder is the only reservation I have made I can do 3-4 days if I feel we need it. Do the rest in Glenwood Springs area. Day trip to Grand Junction do a few wine tours and then spend Friday the day before we fly home from Denver driving back.

Any suggestions on a good route from Glenwood Springs to Denver for a day trip back to airport? We will be staying at the airport on Friday.

Here is how it looks
Sat. ....Arrive Denver drive to Boulder/explore the town
Sun.....Boulder/low altitude hike
Mon....Boulder/Hike, eat chocolate, Celestial tea tour etc eat chocolate....Drive RMNP?

Tues...Drive to Glenwood
Wed.....Glenwood / Grand Junction
Thur....Glenwood / Hike explore

Fri.....Drive Glenwood to Denver airport Explore as we go.

I 70 is your way back to Denver. Maybe the toll road to DIA. Someone IN Denver can advise you. It's a 4 hour drive.
I just really hope you'll do RMNP for at least a day.
Not sure why you are now going to Grand Junction, and not Aspen or RMNP, or some of any of the areas suggested. It's a puzzlement!! LOL

I just read a little about the Trail Ridge Road and since Nelson added that it is now opened I think this has to be a must do. We will save it for our last day in the area.

I am even more excited now than when I first started planning. With all of your input and reading other posts it just helps with the planning.

So a big shout out to all of you who help with all of our trip planning. I have used you all for our past trips to many different place and the advise and info has been invaluable. I really don't know how I would plan with out sites like this. It is just so helpful. Keep up the good work everyone and I hope that someday my input will help someone. 6abc

Gretchen, Oh you posted just as I posted.I guess Grand Junction slipped in there because it is wine country. And I thought it might be interesting to do a little wine tasting.

Was thinking we could do Aspen on our drive back to Denver on the Day that we leave. Does that make sense? We will be leaving from Glenwood, we could head down to Aspen for a visit and then head to the airport. We have the whole day.

If you are going to do Trail Ridge on your way back, I don't see Aspen AND that in the planning. Drive by?
You are 3 days in Glenwood--go to Grand junction for a day and wine tasting. Come back. I am SO confused.

Grechen....
Don't be confused. We go right to Boulder from the airport. Stay there for 3 days....Trail Ridge will be on our last day in Boulder. That will give us time to get use to the altitude.


We then head over to Glenwood Springs....spend the rest of the time in this area. ON OUR WAY BACK to the airport which is the day before be return home we will drive home on I-70 as suggested. Drive down to Aspen which looks like according to my google interactive map is about a 1:15 min drive. Explore a bit and then go back to I-70 and head to the an airport hotel.

I don't think that looks confusing...but then again I have never been in this area so maybe I am missing something.

And the nice thing about travel when you are not locked into too many things they can always change as you start exploring and finding things that you are really enjoying and spend more time in areas you like better than what you had initially planned on.

I didn't see that you were doing Trail Ridge Road. Now I know. ;o) You might use one of the days in Glenwood to go to Aspen rather than on your way back to Denver. There's nice nhiking along the Roaring Fork River, fun places to eat.
You could also bicycle along the river at Glen Canyon. Be sure to see the exhibit there. As you say, you have flexibility.

Thanks Gretchen!! WOW now I wish we had more time. We will go back this is just a taste of Colorado.

I think you're not giving yourself enough time for RMNP on Monday. Your post says: Boulder/Hike, eat chocolate, Celestial tea tour, etc. maybe RMNP?

RMNP deserves a full day. In a perfect world, you would know that Trail Ridge Road was open and would stay open for the entirety of your trip, in which case I would suggest you drive to RMNP on Tuesday, explore and go up and over Trail Ridge Road, coming out in Grand Lake and making your way to Glenwood Springs after that. You really have nothing on your slate for Tuesday except the drive to Glenwood and I think you could reasonably expect to devote that day to RMNP and the drive. Of course, you will have to check road conditions for TRR and the weather forecast.

Worst case scenario is TRR is closed on Tuesday, in which case you *could* drive to Glenwood, and also explore Aspen that same day. Then on Friday, head to Denver via Grand Lake, TRR and Estes Park - assuming TRR is re-opened by then.

Thanks WhereAreWe. Sound good.

Yah, 100% ditto what WhereWeAre said. Use Trail Ridge as your route to Glenwood rather than an up and back day trip. The latter made sense only if you were staying in Boulder the entire time.

Forecast looks good for the road remaining open, but it is springtime in the Rockies, so no guarantees.

First day here. We are in Boulder. Not doing well. Bad headache and sick to stomach. Drinking a lot going to see if we can find that altitude adjustment stuff. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Try aspirin and/or the advil.

The big problem with altitude sickness is that the cause is not well understood. A person can be find four times and sick the fifth. Ever Denver people can have problems when going into the mountains. You can only treat the symptoms unless, of course, you have underlying medical problems such as overweight, lung problems, etc. The problem is that at altitude your lungs are less efficient at transferring oxygen to your blood. You compensate by making more white corpuscles to carry more oxygen. That is why you are drinking water and avoiding alcohol which displaces oxygen. However, if sever symptoms continue for more than 24 hours you may need medical attention. The over the counter altitude medication is mostly psychological. Good luck.

Aspirin is a blood thinner which also helps some. But what you say is exactly correct--sometimes I am fine and others I get sick.

Today day 2 was good. I did get very sick the night of day 1. Just had a little issue on a joke we did today we climbed over 1000 feet. Just go a little light headed. Didn't realize it was going to be that high. But I survived. I am in excellent health except for your basic 60 year old arthritis. Got some stuff at the health food store suppose to help get additional O2 to the cells. We will see tomorrow at RMNP. Thanks again everyone.

Not "joke" darn spell thingy. I meant hike.

Sounds like you are acclimatising normally. Hopefully that will continue. Good luck. You'll be bagging Longs Peak before you leave! (Just kidding) Must say, it's uncommon for folks to get that sick at Denver / Boulder elevation. Too bad.

Trail Ridge Road was closed today (Sunday) due to Saturday's snow, but we took a colleague from China up to Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge. It was a cool but gorgeous day with lots of dramatic changeable weather, but Monday looks more stable. Trail Ridge Road may open.

Highlight was seeing a bear with cub cross the road near the Highway 34 junction, in the construction zone. They stopped and obligingly posed for a few photos.

Have fun!

Today (day 3) no altitude problems. Had a little headache but took advil and that stuff from the health food store.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME....Trail Ridge Road. It was opened. We drove up to the Continental Divide. We have been to many NP and several places in Europe. The only other place that compared to the scenery was an area called the Grand Canyon in France (around Provance). We did a WONDERFUL hike up Deer Mountain. We stopped at the visitors center on the way in and this was highly suggested. We were going to head down to Bear Lake but they said construction delays were long.

So it all worked out well. The hike took us up to 10,000 feet we did an ascent of over a thousand. Damn the air is thin on those ascents. But well worth. When we got to the top we were the only 2 there and the view was breathtaking.

Is the snow there all summer because I don't think it would have been as beautiful if the mountains were bare.

Anyway thanks for the advise Neslon we had a wonderful day. Maybe next time we will get Bear Lake in there.

Headed for Glenwood Springs tomorrow. Staying at the lodge with the pools.

The high in Denver today should be in the low 90s so it should be lovely and cooler than that in the mountains.

To answer your question--there is usually some snow on the higher peaks through the summer and, remember it can begin snowing up there by late August-early September.

Glad to hear you had a great time in RMNP! Trail Ridge was probably particularly nice due to the fresh snow on Saturday, but as martym says, there are scattered permanent snowfields and small glaciers up there year round.

Good choice on Deer Mountain, since it's a high point on an isolated ridge it provides superb views of much of the Park, from the Mummy Range in the north clear around to the Longs Peak group. I guess you could see about ten peaks above 13,000' and a host of 12,000'ers.

Have fun on the rest of the trip! Acclimatization worries should be behind you now.

Doing great no more altitude sickness. Did some wine tasting today in Palisades
After we did a hike in Colorado National Monument. So now I will see how th wine reacts. Not a
Drinker but will see how I react to the wine. Another wonderful day. Love Glenwood and LOVE the pools. Will do a full trip report when we get home. Maybe to Aspen tomorrow.