ereinas1

I have been told by my physician not to go above 7000 feet in altitude. What areas around Denver should I avoid? I'd like to plan driving trips and see as much as is possible without going over 7000 feet (even on the highways).

starrsville

Why in the world are you flying into the "Mile high city"?

Can't go to Rocky Mountain National Park - valley elevations there are in the 8000's.

Colorado Springs is at 6320.

Cripple Creek is 9500.

If you go, get a topo map first, color the circles over 7000 and try to find routes "between the lines".

I'd plan to go somewhere else if my doctor gave me that advice.

starrsville

Oh, first and only post.

That explains it.

Just completely disregard your doctor's advice and enjoy your "Rocky Mountain High"!

tekwriter

The Front Range of Colorado (the area on either side of I-25 from Fort Collins south to Colorado Springs) includes Denver and Boulder, all of which are below 7,000 feet. If you need to come to Denver, then you could drive no further west than about Golden, which is about 6,500 feet. Generally, just stay on the Front Range and don't drive west! You would be able to see the mountains from the plains, but you generally wouldn't be able to go up into them. You'll need to get out a good road atlas and tour guide for these towns and decide your itinerary based on that.

placeu2

This is what to DO...even though your question is what to AVOID:

Once you arrive in Denver, go to a store and buy a 12 pack of Coors. ASAP drink 2 of those babies. At 5000+ feet, this will have the affect of 4 or more at lower altitudes.

Have a great time!

TheWeasel

Similar questions have come up in the past. If you're flying, the cabin is pressurized to the equivalent of somewhere between 8000 and 10,000 feet. If you can handle that, then you should be able to handle going above that altitude on the ground. The only way I can see a problem is if you have some condition that would be exacerbated by spending a lengthy period of time above 7000 feet. I don't know your condition, but you may want to check with your physician and ask why he/she gave you that advice and ask them about the plane trip.

ereinas1

Thank you for your responses. I have tentatively scheduled a few days in Denver, and day trips in the vicinity (e.g. Golden) and to Colorado Springs, Boulder, possibly Canon City, and also to Wyoming (Cheyenne and maybe Laramie). I believe these are all relevativy low altitude (below 7500 feet. Thank you all for your help.

lgott

A note on user TheWeasel comment about cabin altitude being in the 8-10k range. In the U.S., the maximum legal cabin altitude is 8,000 feet - never 10,000 feet. From what I've read, cabin altitude is usually in the 5,000 - 7,000 foot range, although it varies according to the plane's type and real altitude.

nytraveler

There is also a huge diference in activitiy level.

Altitudes that won;t bother you if you're just sitting still can give you all types of problems when you doing even mild exercise like walking - never mind if you have anaything active planned.

TheWeasel

Igott is correct - I was under the understanding that cabins were pressurized to somewhere between 8 and 10,000 feet, but it's a max of 8000.

As for altitude and activity level, OP said nothing about a doctor's warning against activity. It was simply "don't go above 7000 feet".