Damian

Hi,
Is flying into Denver (From NYC) and doing a trip going through Rocky mountain national park-grand tetons-Yellowstone-and back to denver, doable in 9 days? Is that a good intinerary? Thanks!

xx

It would be close, but is doable. We drove from Col. Spr. to Pine Dale, WY in about nine hours and about another two hours the next day to get to Jackson Hole area. We did YNP in three days and then headed to Red Lodge via Bear Tooth Highway. We headed back to and skirted Cody on rte 14A so we could get into the Big Horn Mts.

Kathy

We did a very similar trip two years ago and went for 15 days. We spent 3 days in and around Denver, 3 nights in Grand Teton, 3 nights in Yellowstone 2 nights in Jackson and the remainder in Rocky Mountain National Park. 9 days for what you have is probably doable, but if you have a day or two more I would recommend it. We liked the few days in Jackson, it kind of broke up the trip. Don't know if you're taking kids,for my teenagers, 15 days was a little long.

travellyn

I'd probably choose either RMNP or Yellowstone/Grand Teton. You'll spend more time driving than relaxing if you try to visit both areas.

Nine days is perfect for a trip from Denver to Yellowstone and the Tetons. I did that same trip about 8 years ago, and loved it.

9 days are little much for RMNP alone, but you could also do some exploring around Leadville and Aspen to round out the trip.

Kathy

I tend to agree with travellyn, with 9 days you will be doing alot of driving. There is plenty to see and do in the Yellowstone/Teton/Jackson area but if you limit your trip to that area it may be a better idea to fly into Salt Lake City, I believe it's closer to Yellowstone than Denver is. I also agree that RMNP isn't a 9 day trip, there isn't as much to see there, but you could combine it with some other side trips.

Connie

I say go for it. If it were me I would spend just one day in RMNP and the rest in Tetons/Yellowstone.

You could even do a drive over and back in RMNP and then head north and get a ways on Day 1. I know there are good places to hike but RMNP is pretty much about the drive and since you are trying to see a lot in one trip, I don't think you would feel cheated.

travellyn

I usually agree with Connie, but this time I disagree with the idea that RMNP is just about the drive. I've camped there for a week, taking different hikes each day. The most spectacular scenery was in the backcountry. I've also stayed in cabin just out of the park, and come into the park in the evenings to watch wildlife that I couldn't see in the day.

If you're just going to drive through RMNP, I think the Snowy Range in southern Wyoming has just as much to offer, and won't take you so far out of the way. I don't think it's worth the detour to RMNP if you can't have a couple of days there.

Connie

Travellyn,

I agree with you but Damian was trying to see a lot in a short period of time and Yellowstone requires a lot more time than RMNP.

I'd like to know more about hiking in RMNP if you'd like to expand on it sometime.

Dave

Connie,

Here's a good website for RMNP info: "www.rockymountainnationalpark.com".

Under the "Hiking" tab you'll find a Trail Guide with a pretty thorough list of trailheads and brief descriptions of various destinations (with some photos).

Also, from the main page click on the "Trailhead" link for a bulletin board with lots of user-submitted info on hikes - from short nature trails to week-long back country bushwacking.

Dave

Connie

Thanks Dave, I will.

travellyn

My favorite hike at RMNP was Bear Lake up to Odessa Lake, then down to Cub (or Fern?) Lake. I am not in great shape, so it took me more than half a day. There was at least one established backcountry camp site (permit required) between Bear Lake and Odessa Lake. I thought it would be a great place to camp for anyone willing to haul their stuff up there. The area around Odessa Lake was just spectacular. I have only seen one or two other places like it. There were small lakes, lots of vegetation (including wildflowers and gnarled trees), sharp cliffs, and little white rocks everywhere. I only met two people on that part of the trail.