Thanks Catbert sounds great.... a little leary about Independance pass, sounds a scarey. Are there really no guard rails?
Almost set, now just have to get lodging for Aspen & Estes... Denver were all set... If you have any ideas in either Aspen or Estes, let me know...

It's not all cliffs an edges. It's worth the trepidation you might have. I've done it by myself several times.

Think about it: when you drive on curvy roads with guard rails, how many times have you bounced off the guard rails?

This is true! Any suggestions on the lodging in the Aspen or Estes area?

I found http://www.aspenmountainlodge.com/ to be a good value. The garden level rooms don't have balconies but they are comfortable and large. You will have plenty of views without a balcony.

I've only stayed at the Holiday Inn in Estes. Not much charm there, just standard Holiday Inn. On the Trip Advisor Forums, there is a local expert who gives great Estes Park advice.

lenleigh,
your pictures were great
Where did you spot the Moose?
Also, where were the falls you had the pictures of.
We will be traveling there in about 4 weeks

Thanks Debbie,

I've actually spotted Moose in the same area on two different trips. Keep an eye out in the area between the Coyote Valley Trailhead and the Grand Lake RMNP entrance. We saw the Elk (males) up close at the Coyote Valley Trailhead which a really easy nice little walk. When we headed from there towards the park exit we saw people pulled over (which is almost always the clue that something is around). I have photos from a male Moose from our trip 3 years ago on there too.

The waterfall was Alberta Falls which you can hike to from the Bear Lake Trailhead. They actually have a bunch of hikes you can take in this area. We walked around the lake which is a very easy walk and then we hiked to the falls which wasn't very difficult but definitly take water and go slow. It's not the distance so much (less than 2 miles) but the elevation gain can wind you a little. They'll give you a good map of the park at the entrances. The Alluvial fan is also worth checking out which is by Sheep Lakes (where we also see lots of wildlife) and the fan is on the way to Old Fall River Road. Excellent picnic site called Endovalley where you can have a pit fire(best site is the one right across from the restroom next to the river).

There's so much to see and do, you'll have a great time!

lenleigh,
Thanks for the moose info, I love moose. Saw them up in Arcadia Park in Maine....
May stay at Antlers Pointe on your recommendation, will finalize tonight. Unit # 8 is available... The inside of your unit looked very nice...
A little pricey @ 215.00 a night but I don't think I want to stay in town....

thanks for the info - we are staying at Aspenwinds for 3 nightes in Estes Park - Does anyone have any info on that?

lenleigh
Is there any places to see the wildlife that is a drive to and not a hike?

Thanks again for the info

Debbie - You will see elk just about anywhere, including walking around in Estes Park. It's about impossible to drive thru RMNP and NOT see elk. No need to hike for that. The Sheep Lakes area is the easiest place to see bighorn sheep, generally between 9am and 3pm. They're visible from the road, so again, no hiking is necessary, although there are restrictions against parking in the immediate vicinity of them. There will be rangers on hand and barricades in place to prevent illegal parking.

Bear and mountain lion sightings are rare. You may see a coyote, maybe not. Moose are occasionally sighted on the east side, but are primarily found along the Colorado River on the west side. The trail at Coyote Valley is a possibility, as well as the Beaver Ponds area. I wouldn't classify either of those locations as a hike - just a short, level walk.

Our family stayed in Estes Park at Glacier Lodge - a few minutes from the entrance to RMNP - incredibly beautiful. This Lodge is truly a great place for families, couples, anyone. They have cabins just a few feet from a river that runs right through the property. You can fish right there. Also, stables on the property for trail rides up into the mountains. Ice Cream Parlor, General Store, pool - their web site is www.glacierlodge.com. I can not say enough about it and the town. It was not congested at all when we went in July and we saw Elk all over the roadways, esp. early morning. A great place. gg

Debbie -

We didn't have to hike or really even walk anywhere to see the Elk and Moose. It's true that you'll probably see Elk even in town and around Estes. They walked right across the road and into the little park on Main Street one night. We almost always see Elk at Sheep Lakes (you just pull over and they have parking in this area). They say you can see Bighorn but we have yet to catch them at the right time. We heard they came down around 8pm the night we were in the park, we left around 7 or 7:30pm. There was a coyote Den in the sheep lakes area (take binoculars!) and we saw an adult coyote catch a meal. The Rangers said they sheep usually aren't around much when the coyotes are. Usually you just pull over when you see Moose, We've always spotted them along the river. However the Coyote Valley trailhead is a very level, extremly easy walk. It would be like walking around a small park. On our last trip we actually saw the biggest herd of Elk above treeline near the Alpine visitor center. They were just hanging out on the side of the mountain.

lenleigh-
Which side of the park is Coyote Valley Trailhead? Also where do I find Bear Head Trail to get to the Falls?
Thanks.....
PS I booked Antlers Pointe, your pictures were great, we can't wait!!

"lenleigh-
Which side of the park is Coyote Valley Trailhead? Also where do I find Bear Head Trail to get to the Falls? "

I could answer those questions, but since you asked lenleigh, I'll let her do it. :;

That was supposed to have one of these at the end:
;-)

Coyote Valley Trailhead is on the western side. Not too far into the park from the visitor's center and entrance. You can get a free map to show you exactly where it is. We just got back yesterday and we saw moose at Beaver Creek ponds. That is just up the road, a bit further into the park, from Coyote Valley.

Bear Lake Trailhead is on the other side of the park (east). You turn in the direction of the Morraine Park visitor center and follow the road all the way to the end. Sometimes the Bear Lake Trailhead parking is full and you have to take a shuttle from one of the parking lots on the way. This year they even had to start a shuttle running all the way from Estes Park to handle the crowded parking situation.

Donna -

Coyote Valley is going to be just after you enter or exit the Kawuneeche Visitor Center (which was closed due to construction). This entrance to the park is on the Grand Lake side. We generally exit the park this way because we usually enter through Estes Park (I like the Fall River Entrance which is just up the road from Antlers Pointe) and once we see what we want to see we head up and over Trail Ridge Road and then out through the Grand Lake area. You might end up going the other way if your coming from Aspen though. The Rangers will give you an excellent map at each entrance (just ask if they don't hand you one). Bear Lake will be a little closer to the Estes Park side. There's a fairly good parking lot but there will be tons of cars at Bear Lake. Make sure you drive all the way up the end where the trail is. People were parking all down the road and looked like you had to but there were plenty of spots available close to the trailhead, lots of people in and out. Take water with you too!

P.S. Since your staying at Antlers Pointe:

-Each unit has a private Hot Tub which was somewhat private.
-There are propane grills in front which you can wheel up to your patio and use. If you need groceries their is a Safeway just down the road closer to town. They also have plates, silverwear, cooking utensils, oven, stove, microwave and fridge.
-You can check out fishing poles from the front desk for free although you'll have more luck in a calmer area (along the river of their other properties across the road) than the river in front of your room.
-If you want a nice morning/afternoon picnic try Endovalley picnic site in the park. They have wood burning firepits and picnic tables. The very best site is mid way through next to the river and the parking is directly across from the restroom. You can't even see the picnic table because of a rock but it's there.

I heard that the Baldpate Inn is worth driving to for dinner or lunch. It's closer to Ward but really not that far of a drive. The Aerial Tram gives you a great view of Estes and the mountains.

Thanks for all the great info. We will be entering the park via Grand Lake, staying there a night. Then heading down trail ridge to estes for a night...

Donna

Look at this basic map to get an idea of where everything is: http://tinyurl.com/p8286 .

It's going to take you at least 1.5 hours to drive from the west side entrance to Bear Lake, without any major stops, assuming traffic is OK.

Just so you know, the Bear Lake trailhead is really not the best way to get to Alberta Falls. Park (or take the shuttle) to the Glacier Gorge Junction trailhead and hike to the falls from there. It's closer to the falls and has less total elevation gain (in other words, you won't have to hike up and down as much). If you do want to go to Bear Lake, take the shuttle up there (they run every 10-15 minutes). The main shuttle parking lot (Park 'n' Ride) is on Bear Lake road across from Glacier Basin campground. Other than Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge Junction, the only other trailhead it stops at is Bierstadt, so if you park at Storm Pass or Sprague Lake expecting to catch the shuttle, you'll be out of luck. For complete shuttle info, look here: http://tinyurl.com/luxp and for a more detailed park map that will be similar to the one handed out at the entrances (showing all trailheads and official trails), look here and click on "Detailed map": http://tinyurl.com/cnrqq

Coyote Valley is about 6 miles from the Grand Lake entrance station. Kawunechee Visitor Center is now open, although construction takes up a bit of the parking lot. Another waterfall that is very easy to get to is Adams Falls on the west side: the trailhead access is at the East Inlet. It's only 0.3 miles to the waterfall.

Thanks so much for the info!