Need suggestions - Boulder - Estes Park - Fort Collins?
 

My husband and I get to spend several days next week in Colorado without the kids. We're planning to spend one night in Boulder, one in Estes Park and one in Fort Collins. We've got places to stay in Boulder and Fort Collins but are stumped on Estes Park. We prefer B&B's or more unique kinds of places (don't usually stay at the chain hotels) but the reasonable (less than $200/night) B&B's are booked in Estes Park. Any suggestions on a place to stay?

Also, any other recommendations on things we shouldn't miss (food, hiking, etc.)? We tend to like finding the casual, off the beaten path stops.

Thanks!

Nothing specific for E Park. You are catching the one if not the last major weekends for EP. The Aspen leaves are peaking this week and the Elk are rutting.

Have you tried The Woodlands or Boulder Brook on Fall River Road? They're condo-like units with kitchens, but in a great location and a good value, clean and attractive places. You might run into problems finding availability given this is a popular time of year with the elk rut and fall foliage. You should also look at Trip Advisor if you can't find an available room and check out the reviews on there.

Several days next week - meaning mid-week or weekend? Weekend would be tough but mid-week should be doable.

I'd suggest skipping that night in Fort Collins and staying 2 nights in Estes Park instead.

There are plenty of hikes around Estes, notably in Rocky Mountain National Park. How easy/difficult are you looking to do?

My husband and I stayed here on our first little weekend getaway early in our relationship. We had the Colorado Cottage at Fawn Valley Inn.

http://www.rockymtnresorts.com/locat...ns/FVI-157.php

It literally is only 10 feet from the river.

It is not a huge cottage but is cozy and romantic. It is very close to one of the entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park.

This week and the next one or possibly two are the best times to go 'leaf peeping' and to experience the eerie sounds of the Elk bugling. There are many places to eat while you stroll the tourist district of the town. The weather will still be good enough to go hiking in the park if you are so inclined. Just be sure to pack some cold weather gear and sunscreen. The UV/Sun is more intense at altitude.

One note of caution. Be very careful when driving the roads at dawn and dusk...no matter where you are in the area. The elk are VERY plentiful in Estes Park.

Have you looked at staying in one of the rooms in a lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies? It is a great location. I too would pass on Fort Collins and spend two days in Estes Park. I like Fort Collins and have been a number of times, but I would rather spend the time in Estes Park if I only had two days. For that matter, I would rather stay in Estes Park three days rather than in Boulder or Fort Collins. What is it that you want to do in Boulder and Fort Collins that makes it worth the stops?

In Estes Park, Laura's Candies is our favorite. We also like the margartia shrimp at Ed's Cantina and the trout at the Sundeck. However, the best resturant in the area for my money is the Dunraven.

You might look at places between Lyons and Estes Park. This site has a pretty comprehensive list:

http://www.estes-park.com/lodging/list.html

I've stayed at Rustic River Cabins - inexpensive and funky/fun for one night.

Second for the Dunraven for dinner. Drinks at the Stanley - can't miss the historic hotel where The Shining was filmed! Elk will hang out all over the grounds around dusk. And the Wheel Bar is my favorite local casual spot.

The Bear Lake trail is a fairly easy hike. Just be sure to stay on the trail - I got lost for hours once when I strayed off. I really like the Bierstadt Lake trail in the Fall - beautiful. And on the downside from Estes, going towards Grand Lake, the LuLu City trail is long, fairly easy, lovely and lightly travelled.

Thanks for all the quick responses!

We would be in Estes Park on Thursday night. I had been looking at the Boulder Brook but hadn't seen it mentioned many places so wasn't sure what we would get there. I will check that out along with the other places mentioned. We were trying to stay away from the YMCA since we'll be without kids and we're looking for more "adult" things to do.

As far as Fort Collins goes, my husband wanted to spend some time there and is trying to convince me to go to the Colorado State game on Saturday (just for the fun of it - we're actually Penn Stater's). I know he will be easily convinced to spend the time in RMNP instead so thanks for the hike suggestions. He can hike anything but I will keep us to the easy/moderate trails.

Do we need to make reservations at Dunraven?

The YMCA is a place I would go with my wife for a parents only trip, but the Stanley is the nicest place in town. Not sure what th reates would be, but it is unique.

This time of year I doubt you need reservations for the Dunraven, but it would not hurt.

I think that Twin Sisters on the east side of the park between Estes Park and Allens Park is a good summit hike. You have a great view from the summit. I did it with my 9 yr-old son in a little more than 4 hours this summer. IF you do that, also check at Charles Eagle Plum's nearby. It is an old traing post with some beautiful jewlery. My wife and mother love it.

What I like about Ft Collins are the beer related attractions, so I can undertand the desire to visit. However, given the short time, I would still stay in Estes Park.

Oh, go to the Dunraven on the way out to the YMCA and not the one in town.

I know of a little gem in a great location. Contact me at [email protected]

The forecast for this weekend is snow down to about 9000 feet. That could catch part of EP so be prepared.

They're going next week (Thursday).

Estes Park is one of my favorite places!! We stayed at Keno's Llama Ranch. Its close enough to everything. http://www.kenosllamaranch.com/
You can feed and pet the Elk and the Llama's. The owners are very nice too! You also have a great view of Marys Lake.

In RMNP, the trails to Nymph, and Emerald Lake are wonderful and pretty easy. I would definitely walk those again.

Have a great time!
Kassanna

Some hikes to consider:
Moderate hikes
1) Ouzel Falls from the Wild Basin trailhead on Hwy 7. It's about 5.5 miles roundtrip with about 1000' of elevation gain. Several water features (falls, cascades) so it might be a better spring choice, but fall color should still be good. Somewhat on the way from Boulder to Estes Park, which is probably the biggest selling point I can think of compared to other hikes I've listed.

2) Mills Lake or the Loch from Glacier Gorge trailhead (near Bear Lake). Either lake is 5.5 - 6 miles roundtrip and between 1100 and 1300 feet of elevation gain. You'll go past Alberta Falls initially, then after about 2 miles hit a trail junction - go left for Mills or straight ahead (veer slightly right) for the Loch.

3) Cub Lake - about 4.5 miles roundtrip and less than 700' of elevation gain from the Cub Lake trailhead. Starts at ~8000 feet, so fall color might still be good here when it's gone at the higher elevations.

Relatively easy hikes:
1) Bierstadt Lake - about 3 miles roundtrip and 600' of elevation gain from the Bierstadt Lake trailhead. Great views on the way up/down and a spectacular view of the Continental Divide from the east end of the lake. Lots of switchbacks from the trailhead to the lake (lots!). There's a loop trail around the lake and several spur trails that take you to the lake itself.

2) Emerald Lake - about 3.5 miles and 1200' of elevation gain from the Bear Lake trailhead. One of the most popular hikes in the park.

3) Rock Cut - aka Toll Memorial. Only 1 mile roundtrip with 200' of elevation gain, but the trailhead is on Trail Ridge Road at over 12,000' of elevation. Great hike on a paved trail over the tundra, but it will probably be cold/windy so dress for winter. The starting elevation makes it tough.

4) The Pool - 3.5 miles roundtrip and less than 400' of elevation gain from the Fern Lake trailhead. Like Cub Lake, it starts at a lower elevation so it's one of your better bets for fall color. No real views though, just a hike to a pool of water in the Big Thompson River. :)

5) Alberta Falls (mentioned above) -less than 2 miles and about 400' of elevation gain to a nice waterfall.

6) Gem Lake - about 4 miles roundtrip and 1200' of elevation gain. Starting elevation is lowest of all at ~7700 feet. Great views of Estes Valley and the Divide/Longs Peak from the trail. This trail is in the Lumpy Ridge section of the park, known more for rock climbing than spectacular scenery, so it'll be something different than the other hikes. The lake itself isn't incredibly spectacular.

Very easy hikes:
Bear Lake/Sprague Lake/Lily Lake - each one is about 0.5 mile around a pretty lake, on mostly level trails that are handicapped accessible. Good spots for a picnic.

The Stanley looks like the nicest place in town, but when you get to the rooms, yuck. The public areas are great, but I do not recommend the hotel rooms. Again, yuck.

The Stanley is haunted! I have actually heard the playing of the piano and no one was there!!!I agree about Dunraven, wonderful restaurant.

My sister had a room at The Stanley last year and I thought it was beautiful and tasteful. Not real large though.

I would HIGHLY recomend Mary's Lake Lodge (either the Taven restaurant or the pricier Chalet)for dinner rather than the Dunraven. To me, that seems dark and dingy and the food wasn't that good. Granted, the setting is beautiful and the outside looks very appealing.

Sue

My room had torn bedding, dusty windows, low wattage mismatched lamps, and what appeared to be the original tub plug, or what was left of it.
yuck.

I know its too late for the original posters trip, but for the future people reading.... mcgregor mtn lodge is the play to stay in estes. great lodging, excellent staff - including 2 great lodge dogs who come around and visit in the morning.