Considering a trip to Rocky Mountain for next year (2010). Could go over Labor Day weekend or could go Mid-Oct. In mid October, would the leaves on the aspens already be over? When are the eld in rut? We would most likely stay at the Stanley Hotel as I am into the lodges, would at least have a meal there. Any better lodging ideas? I haven't read much about the area, anybody have a suggested hike? We would be there 3 days.

My husband and I are about to depart on our 9th annual mid-October weekend in Estes Park, so we've had a lot of experience with the changing season there at that time. Sometimes we do see a lot of golden aspen; other years, depending on the weather, it's just too late. For instance, last year, we had gorgeous weather on the Saturday; sunny, warm and the leaves were spectacular! I got some of my best photos ever in the park. The elk were out in droves, bugling around dusk and we even saw a herd of big horn sheep and a coyote ambling along the road. However, we awoke on Sunday morning to a raging snowstorm which surely stripped all the remaining leaves off the trees. So, it's a toss up what the conditions will be like. You're more likely to have better weather and foliage conditions in the latter part of September (Labor Day is generally too early for good color.)

I've not read many good reviews of the rooms at the Stanley (too old, small and creaky), but I haven't stayed there myself. There is some really nice condo-like lodging along Fall River Road. We always stay at The Woodlands, and have also stayed at Boulder Brook another time - great accommodations and location. There are lots of suggested hikes, not too strenuous: Sprague Lake, Bear Lake area (incl. Nymph and Emerald Lakes), Lily Lake - all spectacular scenery for not that much effort!

Best restaurants: Twin Owls Steakhouse, Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, Cheese (better for lunch), The Egg & I for great breakfast. Even if you don't go at prime foliage season, it's such a great area and the park is amazing. Any time is great!

We used http://www.rmnpforums.com/forums before our trip last summer and found it helpful. Might want to spend one night at Grand Lake to visit the west side of the park. We didn't do much in the way of hiking there, but that was the best place to see moose early am. Trail Ridge Road was closed a couple of times while we were there for a few hours. (middle of June) There is a sign right before you get to the top that says be aware of sudden weather changes. They aren't kidding. We saw the sign (sunny, clear) and by the time we had stopped at the visitor center for about 10 minutes it was snowing up there. We made it down the other side, but they closed the road to traffic going up for a few hours. You couldn't see anything but the road in front of you.

The trails at Bear Lake are great -- and you can make them as long or short as you want.

We liked Peak to Peak Restaurant in Estes. It had just opened when we were there.

As tekwriterer noted, on the aspen color it depend on the year. Mid October is typically past the peak color, but there may still be some around. The elk are still bugling.

I have some suggested hikes on my RMNP page here:
http://www.summitpost.org/area/range...tml#chapter_33

In October you could run into ice on some trails, but for that time of year I'd highly recommend doing the Pool to Cub Lake loop, an easy six mile hike. You can time it so you arrive in Moraine Park in early evening and then just hang around there to watch the elk. If there are still aspen colors this is a good trail to walk through some short sections.

Have a great trip!

Last year when we were in RMNP, Trail Ridge road was to close on Oct. 1 for the rest of the winter. There had been snow and we felt very fortunate to have gone Sept 29 so we could do this fantastic roadway. The aspens were beautiful yellow. Go to www.nps.gov and search for RMNP for information on road closures etc. I'm sure it will be beautiful any time you go.

Have a great trip.

Trail Ridge Road officially closed today (October 21) for the season. The average seasonal closing date, according to the story on the radio, is October 23. It will typically close and reopen a few times before they decide to keep it closed until spring.

We were there the last two years the last 3rd weekend in September. Last year the aspens were great and lots of elk. This year, warmer, aspens just starting to turn and fewer elk.

My sister went 10 days later--early October. LOTS of elk, aspens still not so great--big snowstorm that closed Trail Ridge Road.

So you take a risk going later that you can't make the drive but the aspens and elk may be better.