Arriving Colorado mid Sept with camera. Will research all the suggestions given in earlier forum on colorado. Also interested in going to a rodeo, horse ranch, hot air balloon event. Also, where's the best spot to go white water rafting?
Thanks

By mid September the white water rafting season is over--you could check with some rafting companies to see if they'll still be going out on your dates.

Both white water rafting and rodeos are over by mid September. Hot air balloon are fairly common so it will depend a little bit and where you will be visit. Again, you catching the dead season or change over seasons. So some of the tradition summer activities such as hot air balloon are more limited. However, the lodging rates and great prices on evening dinner will be available.

The elk bugling rut in RMNP is getting started in mid-September. A world-class wildlife event if that interests you. Superb photo ops. Go early AM and not on a weekend to minimize crowd scene and maximize elk sightings. Prime photo light early AM as well, of course.

Colorado is a big state, where exactly are you wanting to go?

Colorado is lovely any time of the year, but Fall is especially pretty. There are so many different locations that you could see. It would be good to get an idea of what you might like.

Our best photo trip was in Sept of 2006. Our best overall trip was Sept of 2009. See our 2009 trip report at

http://strayertravels.wordpress.com/

There is a link on the website that will take you to more photos. You can look at the 2006 photos from there.

I do not have an agenda yet and am looking for suggestions. All I know is that I have to be in Denver on Sept. 15.

Thank you beckydoodle for sharing your photos. They are wonderful.

Nelson, the elk in RMNP sounds intriguing. Is it fairly easy to find them?

Agapanthus, no guarantees of course, but the elk can usually be found in either Moraine Park or Horsepark in RMNP.

My favorite place is Moraine Park. Drive up the road towards the campground. Just before the campground is a left turn to the Cub Lake trail. Anywhere along that next stretch of road before the trailhead has been a great place to see them.

You can also walk about about 1/4 mile along the Cub Lake trail to some large boulders where you are are maybe 30 feet above the meadow for a superb view if they are at that end of the meadow. This is sometimes where you can be closest to them (again, no guarantees!).

At that point you are looking east, so from a photo standpoint evening might be better, unless you like shooting backlit scenes. But on the road out there you are mostly looking south, so morning or evening would be OK.

Have a great trip.

And use a long lens, Elk are not friendly cows. They would just as soon run over you as look at you.

I saw elk last year on the golf course near the visitor center in Estes Park - several cows and a bull - lots of action (If you know what I mean!). The golfers and elk seemed to be ignoring each other.

In the park we saw a very large herd.

Hot Air Balloons: In Snowmass in mid-September, there is a balloon festival. It's quite scenic at that time of year with the changing of the leaves.

Fall leaves near Guanella Pass or up at Steamboat or out toward Maroon Bells between Aspen and Snowmass are another beautiful sight.

I'd check road conditions with RMNP if you plan on going because there have been Septembers when they have closed Trail Ridge Road due to weather. As an alternative then, close to Denver, you can find elk to view quite easily at Elk Meadow in Evergreen. As pointed out -- stay back as it will be rutting season!

Whitewater Rafting: Rafting conditions usually peter down sometime in July or August, but we have had some pretty good monsoon rains here in Colorado. By September, you might be able to find at the very least a float trip, but I wouldn't expect any big water. Check the rivers before you come out, there might just be some flow.

Rodeos: I'm afraid you are sheer out of luck on this one completely. Rodeo season is in the summer and well and over before September.

Other Activities: Perhaps consider flyfishing one of the local rivers or lakes?

Without knowing how long you plan on being here, maybe after or before -- or before and after -- your day in Denver, think about heading West toward Snowmass with all these activities in mind, or consider even heading Southwest toward Buena Vista or Northwest toward Steamboat. A lot of regions to select from, but they will offer you what you seem to be seeking!

Thanks everyone. Will consider all suggestions.

Some of the best pics I have (and memories) are from RNMP..we were just there 2 weeks ago. If the Elk excite you the Aspen turning golden will thrill you...

The heavy winter is still producing late Spring flowers at higher altitudes...in lush green meadows...Paintbrush, phlox, saw many Colorado Columbine lilies near Alpine Ranger Lodge...BTW, they have a very nice Ranger photo booklet of wild flowers,,they should really publish it.

And bonus, there is BOTH a baby male Moose and a Daddy Moose at/in the very shallow Spraque Lake

Have located a photography workshop for RMNP. The itinerary includes the following locations.is as follows. How would you rate this itinerary.
Horseshoe Park, Sprague Lake, Moraine Park, Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road, Holzwarth Historic Site. Thanks everyone.