What to pack
Jul 27th, 2016, 02:21 AM
#1
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What to pack
We will be arriving on Aug 4 and spending 2 nights in Denver, 2 in Boulder, 2 in RMNP/Estes Park and 2 in Colorado Springs. Was wondering what to pack? Was thinking shorts and tees for Daytime touring and light hiking. I was going to add some long jeans to the suitcase in case it is cool or there is a bug/Tic issue when in the Parks or on Trails. How cool does it get in the mountains? Is a Hoodie or Fleece jacket warm enough at night? Are Capri's sufficient for dinner? Do the restaurants tend to be casual? Any advice appreciated...
Jul 27th, 2016, 01:02 PM
#3
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Denver and the Springs should be pretty warm, day and night next week. I wouldn't plan needing anything warm for there.
Layers always work best out this way.
I like these, bought for safari but they work great for the kinds of temp changes you're likely to experience:
https://www.rei.com/product/861360/r...e-pants-womens
Jeans are heavy to pack and may be too heavy for even the mountains.
Khakis or the like would be better.
Layers always work best out this way.
I like these, bought for safari but they work great for the kinds of temp changes you're likely to experience:
https://www.rei.com/product/861360/r...e-pants-womens
Jeans are heavy to pack and may be too heavy for even the mountains.
Khakis or the like would be better.
Jul 27th, 2016, 01:08 PM
#5
> How cool does it get in the mountains?
Probably 50's as you are walking around during the evening and 40's before dawn.
> Is a Hoodie or Fleece jacket warm enough at night?
In general yes. But the real problem is wind or a passing T-storm. In that case it will feel a LOT colder. Surprisingly chilly down drafts can come out of those storms.
For that add a light weight wind and rain protection shell layer, with a hood. You can pick up cheap ones if you don't have already.
Yep, restaurants are pretty casual.
Have a good trip.
Probably 50's as you are walking around during the evening and 40's before dawn.
> Is a Hoodie or Fleece jacket warm enough at night?
In general yes. But the real problem is wind or a passing T-storm. In that case it will feel a LOT colder. Surprisingly chilly down drafts can come out of those storms.
For that add a light weight wind and rain protection shell layer, with a hood. You can pick up cheap ones if you don't have already.
Yep, restaurants are pretty casual.
Have a good trip.
Jul 27th, 2016, 01:32 PM
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1) A light weight rain jacket with hood
2) a light weight fleece or sweater
3) a couple of long sleeve T-shirts for mornings, evenings or if/when it turns cooler
4) Shorts. It's been hot here and it will likely continue but a pair of long pants or capris will come in handy.
5) jeans…maybe. I usually have a pair with me.
Dining out is casual but there are a few ( very few ) places that smart casual is a better option. For example the Twin Owls restaurant in Estes Park. A couple of places in Boulder too. All depends on what kind of dining you do. But smart casual essentially means you don't wear your flip-flops, a T-shirt that says " I'm with Stupid" or similar and a pair of shorts that you've had for the last twenty years. But, yes, dining generally tends to be casual.
Remember to get off the mountain especially if above treeline if clouds start to build. Sooner rather than later.
2) a light weight fleece or sweater
3) a couple of long sleeve T-shirts for mornings, evenings or if/when it turns cooler
4) Shorts. It's been hot here and it will likely continue but a pair of long pants or capris will come in handy.
5) jeans…maybe. I usually have a pair with me.
Dining out is casual but there are a few ( very few ) places that smart casual is a better option. For example the Twin Owls restaurant in Estes Park. A couple of places in Boulder too. All depends on what kind of dining you do. But smart casual essentially means you don't wear your flip-flops, a T-shirt that says " I'm with Stupid" or similar and a pair of shorts that you've had for the last twenty years. But, yes, dining generally tends to be casual.
Remember to get off the mountain especially if above treeline if clouds start to build. Sooner rather than later.
Jul 27th, 2016, 04:56 PM
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Don't go overboard on jackets. We were up that way in June and had way too much stuff for cool weather. A hoodie or other favorite jacket, a few long sleeve shirts and maybe a light scarf should be round it out.
Jul 27th, 2016, 08:16 PM
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Bugs/ticks aren't a big issue if you're only doing light hiking and staying on the main trails. I wouldn't worry much about that, with only 2 days in Estes Park you are probably sticking to the highlights won't be going off-trail.
The one area you are most likely to need warm clothes is if/when you drive Trail Ridge Road to the higher elevations. It can snow anytime at those elevations, and is generally windy as well so you might go from 80 in Estes Park to 40s and windy at the Alpine Visitor Center. I've found the best thing is to wear shorts and then pull on a pair of windbreaker-type of jogging pants. That is usually good to block the wind and keep you warm enough at the viewpoints and if you do a short/quick hike. You'd want some sort of windbreaker jacket with a warmer layer underneath too.
But other than that, you are not likely to need warm clothes at lower elevations in the park - and almost certainly not in Denver, Boulder or Colorado Springs. If you head up to Pikes Peak outside of Colorado Springs, same scenario as Trail Ridge Road - you will need/want warm clothes up there as it is even higher elevation.
The one area you are most likely to need warm clothes is if/when you drive Trail Ridge Road to the higher elevations. It can snow anytime at those elevations, and is generally windy as well so you might go from 80 in Estes Park to 40s and windy at the Alpine Visitor Center. I've found the best thing is to wear shorts and then pull on a pair of windbreaker-type of jogging pants. That is usually good to block the wind and keep you warm enough at the viewpoints and if you do a short/quick hike. You'd want some sort of windbreaker jacket with a warmer layer underneath too.
But other than that, you are not likely to need warm clothes at lower elevations in the park - and almost certainly not in Denver, Boulder or Colorado Springs. If you head up to Pikes Peak outside of Colorado Springs, same scenario as Trail Ridge Road - you will need/want warm clothes up there as it is even higher elevation.
