nlg

I didn't have any problem at all with the altitude in Dever,but it really bothered me in Breckenridge. Everyone adjusts to the altitude differently-hope you have a good time.

kayd

We saw bottled oxygen for sale in shops in Colorado ski towns. It is sold as a recreational product to boost performance by skiers etc. It comes in a canister, like a household room spray but with a cone-type device to direct the oxygen to your nose and mouth, cost $15-20 I think. Several people said they got relief from mild headache buy inhaling a few bursts. Perhaps ask your doctor if this might be worth a try.

spirobulldog

nlg,
Breckenridge(especially if you are up on the mounrain skiing, hiking, or biking) is a lot higher than Denver. Most people won't feel the effect until 6,000 or 7,000 feet.

Gretchen

Was talking to someone else about altitude, and it sometimes "just depends". I have been sick as a dog in Denver one trip and fine on many others.

WhereAreWe

I would vote for going from La Veta straight to Estes Park without an overnight stop somewhere. Estes Park is only 500 feet higher so if you can handle La Veta you should be fine in Estes Park.

I would not plan on driving through Grand Lake to get to Estes Park. Unlikely that Trail Ridge Road would be open. Plus it is very possible that the elevation (over 12K at the high point) will make you feel awful. Far better to attempt that drive from Estes Park, knowing you can simply turn around and go back down if you don't feel good. But from Grand Lake you will either have to continue up and over or go back down and make a lengthy detour to Estes Park.

I'll disagree with spiro on hiking the Loch/Sky Pond - I don't think that's a good choice for May due to snow cover, plus the elevation is likely to adversely affect you. I would recommend starting at Bear Lake and hiking to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake if you feel up to it. It's a nice acclimation hike for most people. I would also suggest the hike to Gem Lake, it's somewhat lower in elevation with nice views of the Estes Park valley, and the trail should be entirely snow-free. My personal favorite is Bierstadt Lake - the main trail to it should be mostly snow-free but once you get close to the lake you're more likely to run into snow.

There's nothing wrong with just driving around taking in the views, and wandering some of the easy/lower elevation trails in any of the meadows/valleys (Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Horseshoe Park).

Just know that Bear Lake Road is under construction, so check out the current condition and restrictions.
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...nstruction.htm

6abc

Thank you all for your wonderful input.

I know Colorado Springs is higher than Denver. So I am thinking we should stay in Denver our first night. Any good suggestions on thinks to do. I had mentioned taking a walk in a park and someone suggested we head to Colorado Springs instead but I am concerned that the altitude there might be too much for me at first..

So here is what I need now.
Places to stay in Denver for first night. (final night we will stay at the airport - suggestions for airport hotel appreciated also)

Manitou Springs or Colorado springs for lodging? Probably 2 nights.

La Veta - lodging suggestions

And lodging up around RMNP?

Final big question can we book on the go or should I be concerned about availability. When I was looking into home rentals (homeaway and VRBO) we were originally going to spend a whole week in Manitou or Colorado Springs and do day trips. Every place I looked at was booked.

How does staying in one place for the 6 days sound to all of you who have been there and live there and where would you suggest if you think it is a good idea.

Once again thanks in advance to all who are still looking at this thread.

Tomsd

Denver has a beautiful Art Museum and National History Museum. And a quick drive to the cute college town of Boulder could be fun.

Tomsd

And I think Manitou Springs is more charming than C. Springs but it's not that radically different of a base from which to explore the area.

spirobulldog

I agree with wherearewe. My mistake.
I do think May would be to early for Sky Pond hike. We were there last July, I wasn't thinking about snow(there was some snow in July last summer).

You can't see Great Sand Dunes and RMNP if you stay in the same place. It just depends on what you want to do and how much backtracking you want to do if you venture very far from your lodging spot.

wtm003

I read the same study a couple of months ago that williamscb13 linked above, and it is basically the approach I follow. I live in the Denver area and if I go to the mountains with just a smidgen of a headache, it can end up being a blinding headache where I end up nauseous. I can usually avoid this by being proactive and taking ibuprofen the night before going to the mountains or before starting a hike.

I second the recommendation for starting your RMNP hiking at Bear Lake. It really is a good point for deciding if you want to keep going.

Gretchen

If you are so sensitive that the difference between the Spings and Denver is important, then don't hike, etc.
I think Manitou is just too precious for words--or spending much time in, but everyone is different.
I'd stay in Denver for a few days and then go to RMNP if I only had 6 days.

6abc

HUMM you know Gretchen that might not be such a bad idea. We are so use to taking a 2 week vacation when we travel this 6 day trip has been a little difficult for me to plan. We usually have a lot of time to just explore a whole state. Anyone want to chime in on leaving out the Sand Dunes and just staying around Denver and RMNP?

WhereAreWe

I was actually going to suggest that you wait and see how the altitude affects you before going up and staying overnight at a higher elevation. If Denver's altitude causes issues you'll be worse off at La Veta or Estes Park. But you could do day trips to RMNP from Boulder or Fort Collins.

I think at that time of year you can afford to be flexible and not make lodging reservations ahead of time. I can't imagine Estes Park will fill up, so if you get there and the altitude hits you hard, just drive to Boulder or Fort Collins for the overnight. And for sure if Denver bothers you significantly for the first day, you may want to stay there another day or two before moving on to something higher as a day trip.

I guess I'm saying play it by ear, see how you feel and have a few different plans for what you want to see and where you can stay overnight based on all your research.

Nelson

My mistake on suggesting Trail Ridge Road - for some reason I thought you were staying ten days, in which case it should have been opened by the end of your trip. But with only six days I'd also vote for a couple in Denver and the rest up at Estes, provided you are feeling OK.

The best lower elevation hikes in RMNP at this time of year, IMHO, are around the Cub Lake / Fern Lake area. There are various options:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...mer_trails.pdf

The ~6 mile loop to The Pool and over to Cub Lake can't be beat this time of year. It is also about the flattest six miles you'll find in the Park. Hallowell Park is nice. The Gem Lake suggestion above is also excellent.

Let us know how it goes!

Nelson

P.S. Trail distances and elevation gains are here:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...ing_trails.htm

Alberta Falls is another great option. You can keep going beyond there as far as you want.

Gretchen

I'll chime in again. There is more to do and see from Denver to Estes for a short trip. Boulder is a fun town, and there are nice hikes there. Denver is fun. We've seen the dunes--but we were headed for the southwest corner of the state.

6abc

Wow this has been great advise from all of you. We will play it by ear and spend at least the first day in Denver. We have seen sand dunes in UTAH, Coral Pink Sand Dunes and in Texas, the White Sand Dunes, I know they are all different but I am thinking on leaving these out for now. So maybe we won't head south and just play around closer to RMNP area.

Any good HOT SPRINGS in and around this area. My initial plan was to head way over to Ouray and Pagosa springs but way too far for 6 days if we want to get in a few hikes it won't work with all that driving.

I will post when we return. I will will either add to this post or start a new post with the words Colorado and altitude in it. Thanks again.

nytraveler

I don't see where you provided any detail - but many people will always have trouble with high altitudes due to physical problems. these can range from asthma, to reduced lung capacity from having been a smoker - or just from normal loss of capacity due to age.

If this is a continuing problem you should speak to your doctor to see if it's healthy for you to go to very high altitudes. (I have a friend with asthma and her MD has told her just not to go above 5,000 feet or so due to the problems she has.)

WhereAreWe

*Any good HOT SPRINGS in and around this area.*

Glenwood Springs, about 3 hours from Denver

6abc

nytraveler thanks for the info but I am in great health but I do tend to get migrains even in low altitudes. So I am going to HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE, take advil (as was posted and I read the article) bring my migraine med. So once again thank you all for the good info.

Will probably base ourselves in Denver. Any accommadation suggestions? I looked at Homeaway and VRBO not much left at a decent price range. Looking to stay at least under $100 or $150 a night. I hope that isn't a ridiculous wish.