NJriverchick

I am planning a trip on Amtrak's California Zephyr (between Denver and Emeryville, CA). They say its the most breathtaking train route in the USA. And since I have flexibilty I am wondering when it would be at its most scenic.

Actually I am wondering if there is a time of year when there is no snow on the Rockies.....I think I would be disappointed if they weren't snow-capped.

Any insight is appreciated!

williamscb13

I would vote mid-late September when the Aspen trees are turning. A lot of times the higher elevations will have had a dusting of snow at that point. And the highest peaks a lot of times will keep snow year round, but probably July and August have the least amount of snow.

tomfuller

I have to agree that the CZ is the most scenic over the largest number of miles. There was a major snowstorm this spring, so there may well be snow left in the first week of June.
You will have the chance to step off the train briefly at Winter Park. In all seasons of the year, the Glenwood Canyon is the highlight of the trip IMO.
As you climb up out of Reno you will go past Donner Lake.
On the California side, you go through Blue Canyon.
Are you planning on taking the Amtrak bus into San Francisco?
If you are just looking for great scenery from the train, you might consider going to Sacramento instead of Emeryville.
Rent a car in California to go see some things you can't see from the train (Yosemite?).
If you are riding coach as I always do, you might want to spend a night in Glenwood Springs so that you are not sleeping 2 consecutive nights in a coach seat.
The sleepers are quite expensive IMO.

NJriverchick

OOh thank you for your quick replies. Good input, I will avoid July & August and will target the Fall.


Tomfuller - My brother & his family live in the Bay area so I will coordinate with them as to where to end up. At that point he will be playing tour guide.

I know the sleepers are very expensive, but we will splurge. We got sleepers when we went from Minneapolis to Portland Oregon. I love falling asleep watching the world go by...

But here's the other thing...I HATE the AMTRAK shared bathrooms so I will never spend more than one night on the train at a time. So last time we got off at an interesting stop, spent a night or 2 in a hotel and got a shower.

Tabernash2

You could get off the train at Glenwood Springs, and stay a night or two. Take a side trip to Aspen. Gorgeous country.

NJriverchick

Thank you Tabernash, that's great information, tomfuller mentioned Glenwook too. I will look into that for an overnight stop.