I talked to a friend that lives in the estes area. Bear Lake has some snow, but will melt soon on roads. Snowshoes will be necessary for bear lake and above. However, there are miles and miles of trails, she claims, that will be fine, and the driving will be safe. I am now more comfortable that I have talked to her. Thanks for the tips, again. Windcliff is beyond our budget, averaging $145 nightly+tax. I will look forward to more comments. And also, I will post about wherever I stay, just an fyi for others that are considering the area. Our friend has never stayed anywhere but in her home.. but says her rule is if the place has been in business for 10 or more years, it must be at least "OK" because numerous places have opened and failed. Anyway, thanks to everyone again. It's a gamble going there this time of year. It was between this place and Eureka Springs, AR, a favorite of ours (yes, we're boring as far as people are concerned!).

see ESTESWILDWOODINN dom com

I hope that this is helpful - -we have stayed here more than once -- clean, quiet;

in room large jacuzzi, fireplace; kitchen and BBQ; cable tv + free videos for the room; and balcony with views.

Just minutes from RMNP and a food store.

Thanks. I have to tell you, and I am not being negative.. the lady on the phone from Wildwood Inn was REALLY rude and abrupt.. All I did was ask about reservations and availability. I don't get the impression that's the type of place we'd like to patronize. I won't go into details, but the conversation from my side was very short.. I listened to the lady go on a small tirade about availability, how she never guarantees specfic cabins for less than 5 night stays, and how it must be kept clean if we do come there. Then she hung up. Very strange, bizarre. I won't go there unless they can guarantee me a certain type of room... ie hottub on deck. Very bizarre, erratic behavior for someone to be taking phone calls for your place, in my opinion. I get the impression that place is a "my way or the highway type of deal.. " and I respect that (I just won't stay there if the people are rude over the phone--a general rule I've come to learn over the years).

Re: Solitude Cabins.. I have been told by someone that these cabins are across the street from a school. Just an fyi. During summer likely not an issue, but during the day it would be. This is the only negative that I have heard about the place. I suppose everyplace has both negatives and positives.

When all else fails, call the park. There is zero snow on the roads right now. The area is completely fine, up through Bear Lake. This could change, but the pavement, so the RNMP ranger says, is too warm for snow to stick. I am really glad we're going and avoiding the crowds.

I'll add to the Loveland confusion....I suspect the recommendation was for a drive from Estes to Loveland via the Big Thompson Canyon. Whenever I've taken vistors on that road, they are amazed at the river, canyon and the narrows. It's scenic but in a close-to-river way and a nice drive.

What we may do is go to Casa Bonita for 3 days and just eat.. we'll see.

Casa Bonita is a joke, right?

You also referred to Glendale in your original post. Is that a typo? Do you mean Glenwood Springs, or Glendale, a suburb in Denver? I don't know why you'd head to Glendale from RMNP.

Are you reserved at the Oxford Hotel in Denver, for your first or last night?

I'm confused about this part of your plan.
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Oxford is last night.. I have to check. Glenwood springs is what I meant.. Casa Bonita.. yes, just a joke that I would make people laugh. It's beautiful weather there right now!!

Thanks.
I doubt if Glenwood Springs makes sense for a night. Maybe better to stay three nights in RMNP, one night in Denver. Or four nights in RMNP.

Casa Bonita-- good joke. The food is sooooo bad. Does it still exist?
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Stayed @ Rams horn village resort. Zero charm, gorgeous place, 2 minutes from the park entrance. Rate was almost as cheap as Woodlands on fall River. Casa bonita? Unsure.. saw it on South Park last year or so. Did not stay @ Oxford. The park was simply too enchanting to leave. We spent nearly all our time in the park. Rams Horn highly recommended. Clean, nice, good location. Scoped out 2 other places, but liked Rams Horn location. Best restaurant: Top Notch Cafe.

one other thing. The tradeoff was well worth it. We hiked Sprague and Bear Lakes.. and had them to ourselves. We saw two other people the entire time up that way within the park. Other than TUE morning, the snow did not impede us. The town was a ghost town, as was the park. Saw loads of wildlife. After seeing Cascade Cottages, we'll return sometime to them.. they look awful, but their location is spectacular. Amazing views, amazing hiking, amazing place.

You said Rams Head has zero charm, but also said it's a gorgeous place. What do you mean?
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Sorry-- I meant Rams Horn. Your clarification of your impression will be helpful to others planning to visit RMNP. Thanks.
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The people at Rams Horn were a bit rude. And it's not at all secluded, but is quiet. and immaculately clean. It's also off the main roads, so it's tucked away a bit. However, there's a campground/RV park right behind the place. It seems like a new apartment comlex, but it is pristinely clean, loaded with everything from dishwasher to huge spaces. it's so new that is not at all "rustic" like other places in Estes.. it's like staying in a new house in the middle of the mountains, crammed side-by-side along with other identical units.. with assigned parking spots. That said, it's likely one of the nicest places to stay in Estes. And it's 2 minutes from a park entrance. We could not have asked for more, but I think we'd have liked to camp within the park or stay at Cascade Cottages instead. Who needs amenities (we thought) when you have the RMNP at your backdoor. Glacier Lodge looked fun, as did Windcliff (clifftop houses). Anyway, the only negative about Rams Horn was that is has zero atmosphere.. I think we'd have preferred more mountain-type cabins.. but alas, we're too picky. It was clean and affordable. $229 for 2 nights.. then we stayed elsewhere after the 2 nights, not worth mentioning. We literally lived in the park, which is what we're into. Spent 6A-7P daily in the park, only leaving for lunches. We likely hiked about 30-50 miles total.

We think we saw a black bear. either that, or a giant black beaver. It was quite secretive. For anyone going to the park area, I do in fact recommend Rams Horn village. DVDs, movies, hairdyers, dishwasher, dishes, silverware, fridge, ceramic tile kitchen and bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room, gas fireplace that pumps out LOADS of heat, upstairs separate from downstairs via doors, skylights in upstairs bathroom, shampoo, towels, soaps, lotion, glasses in kitchen, microwave, tea, coffee, tea kettle, coffee maker, immaculately clean (cannot state enough how clean this place was), new Eureka commercial vaccuum cleaner in kitchen closet (you could vaccum yourself if you made a mess), blinds on all windows, porch, side porch, shared gas grills (Woodlands has gas grills per cabin, though), sofa, chairs in living room, guide for dining recommendations, hiking, directions, phone numbers, free local and toll=free calls, cordless phone upstairs (did not work), desk phone in living room, dedicated phone numbers (exts) in each cabin, front door is a French door with built-in blinds, furniture from LL Bean/Bass Pro Shop/Eddie Bauer (expensive), horrible, saggy mattresses (we thought), one of the cleanest/newest places at which we've ever stayed. Far nicer than most people's homes. But not as nice as an Aspen ski lodge.
TopNotch cafe was the best food in the area. Went there for coffee, etc. Outstanding sandwiches, cake, lattes. Stanley Hotel is a must-see, but it's a huge embarrassment that there are houses all around the hotel.. a subdivision exists literally next-door, above, and on both sides of the hotel.. how tacky is that. a historical landmark surrounded by vinyl-sided houses. Rude gift shop.. nice lobby, did not feel welcomed there at all by the staff, not even for dining. Stuck to the park. Hiked Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, Alberta Falls, Flattop (almost slid down this one!), Chasm Falls, Upper Beaver Meadows, Mills (I think; we got here accidentally, by going off the trail for about 3 hours). Amazing hiking, once in a while we simply sat and listened.. said nothing, just took it all in from the pine smells, to wind, to distant wildlife (crows, hawks, geese, owls, elk--we could smell elk before we could see them!).

Thanks for all the detail! It will be helpful, I'm sure, for other travelers to RMNP. So glad you enjoyed hiking in the park and it's quiet beauty away from the crowds.
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Great detailed report, blah! So glad you loved the park, and you certainly saw some of the best parts! Make sure to come back sometime when Trail Ridge Road is open - that will blow you away!

I'm curious if you encountered snow on the trails you hiked. I'm going up there just for one day/night in two weeks with an out-of-town visitor just to show them the best part of Colorado, and he definitely wants to get out on a trail. I was thinking of going to Alberta Falls/The Loch (on the way to Mills Lake) Did you slosh through slush en route?

Yes, Alberta Falls, Bear Lake, and beyond all were covered with LOADS of snow. I would get snowshoes, ski poles and anything else you will need. I just wore normal shoes, but had large walking sticks (rented them) for getting through snow. We slipped quite a bit, and some areas were rather dangerous.. but nonetheless we did Bear Lake and above without snowshoes.

I have been quite a few places in my lifetime (Europe, Canada, etc).. and RMNP is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Just thought I'd share that thought!!