Short visit to Rocky mountain national park
Jul 12th, 2016 | 06:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Short visit to Rocky mountain national park
Hi all!
I can leave downtown Denver by car around noon on a Sunday morning and have to be at the Denver airport at around 10:00 PM the next night.
How to best utilize my time at the Rocky Mountain National Park?
What to do the first quater - half day?
Where to sleep (Estes Park or Grand Lake)?
How to best spend the one full day?
I am 58 and can walk with no problems (and even climb a bit) but nothing strenuous.
Any and all suggestions will be welcome.
Thanks
I can leave downtown Denver by car around noon on a Sunday morning and have to be at the Denver airport at around 10:00 PM the next night.
How to best utilize my time at the Rocky Mountain National Park?
What to do the first quater - half day?
Where to sleep (Estes Park or Grand Lake)?
How to best spend the one full day?
I am 58 and can walk with no problems (and even climb a bit) but nothing strenuous.
Any and all suggestions will be welcome.
Thanks
Jul 12th, 2016 | 07:32 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
Will this be in summer?
If so, my itinerary would be as follows:
SUNDAY
1) As you head west on US 16, bypass the town of Estes Park and continue west on US Highway 34, towards Fall River Road.
2) Stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. Decide if you want to go up Fall River Road the entire way.
3a) If "Yes," then continue to go up Fall River Road to Fall River Pass. Note that, once you start to go up this road, you can NOT go back down!
3b) If "No," then continue on US 34 till it merges with Trail Ridge Road at Deer Ridge Junction. Then go up on Trail Ridge Road for as long as you can or have time for (or dare).
4) In either case, come back down Trail Ridge Road for your night in Estes Park.
MONDAY
1) Be up when dawn cracks, so as not to lose one minute of day light.
2) Head up to Bear Lake, either driving
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question5
or with a shuttle
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question9
3) When I say "take a hike" at Bear Lake, I mean it!
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...16-Digital.pdf
At the very least, walk around the lake, on a trail accessible to wheelchairs. Just don't overestimate your hiking speed, and end up walking down from Bierstadt Lake in pitch dark without a flashlight, like I did in one of my more memorable stupid moments!!
4) Somehow, tear yourself away from the beauty of this area with enough time to get back to Estes Park, and then back to Denver Airport with enough time to make your flight. This step would be the hardest part for me -- I love this park!!
If so, my itinerary would be as follows:
SUNDAY
1) As you head west on US 16, bypass the town of Estes Park and continue west on US Highway 34, towards Fall River Road.
2) Stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. Decide if you want to go up Fall River Road the entire way.
3a) If "Yes," then continue to go up Fall River Road to Fall River Pass. Note that, once you start to go up this road, you can NOT go back down!
3b) If "No," then continue on US 34 till it merges with Trail Ridge Road at Deer Ridge Junction. Then go up on Trail Ridge Road for as long as you can or have time for (or dare).
4) In either case, come back down Trail Ridge Road for your night in Estes Park.
MONDAY
1) Be up when dawn cracks, so as not to lose one minute of day light.
2) Head up to Bear Lake, either driving
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question5
or with a shuttle
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question9
3) When I say "take a hike" at Bear Lake, I mean it!
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...16-Digital.pdf
At the very least, walk around the lake, on a trail accessible to wheelchairs. Just don't overestimate your hiking speed, and end up walking down from Bierstadt Lake in pitch dark without a flashlight, like I did in one of my more memorable stupid moments!!
4) Somehow, tear yourself away from the beauty of this area with enough time to get back to Estes Park, and then back to Denver Airport with enough time to make your flight. This step would be the hardest part for me -- I love this park!!
Jul 12th, 2016 | 08:31 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
Will this be in summer?
If so, my itinerary would be as follows:
SUNDAY
1) As you head west on US 16, bypass the town of Estes Park and continue west on US Highway 34, towards Fall River Road.
2) Stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. Decide if you want to go up Fall River Road the entire way.
3a) If "Yes," then continue to go up Fall River Road to Fall River Pass. Note that, once you start to go up this road, you can NOT go back down!
3b) If "No," then continue on US 34 till it merges with Trail Ridge Road at Deer Ridge Junction. Then go up on Trail Ridge Road for as long as you can or have time for (or dare).
4) In either case, come back down Trail Ridge Road for your night in Estes Park.
MONDAY
1) Be up when dawn cracks, so as not to lose one minute of day light.
2) Head up to Bear Lake, either driving
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question5
or with a shuttle
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question9
3) When I say "take a hike" at Bear Lake, I mean it!
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...16-Digital.pdf
At the very least, walk around the lake, on a trail accessible to wheelchairs. Just don't overestimate your hiking speed, and end up walking down from Bierstadt Lake in pitch dark without a flashlight, like I did in one of my more memorable stupid moments!!
4) Somehow, tear yourself away from the beauty of this area with enough time to get back to Estes Park, and then back to Denver Airport with enough time to make your flight. This step would be the hardest part for me -- I love this park!!
If so, my itinerary would be as follows:
SUNDAY
1) As you head west on US 16, bypass the town of Estes Park and continue west on US Highway 34, towards Fall River Road.
2) Stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. Decide if you want to go up Fall River Road the entire way.
3a) If "Yes," then continue to go up Fall River Road to Fall River Pass. Note that, once you start to go up this road, you can NOT go back down!
3b) If "No," then continue on US 34 till it merges with Trail Ridge Road at Deer Ridge Junction. Then go up on Trail Ridge Road for as long as you can or have time for (or dare).
4) In either case, come back down Trail Ridge Road for your night in Estes Park.
MONDAY
1) Be up when dawn cracks, so as not to lose one minute of day light.
2) Head up to Bear Lake, either driving
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question5
or with a shuttle
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi....htm#question9
3) When I say "take a hike" at Bear Lake, I mean it!
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...16-Digital.pdf
At the very least, walk around the lake, on a trail accessible to wheelchairs. Just don't overestimate your hiking speed, and end up walking down from Bierstadt Lake in pitch dark without a flashlight, like I did in one of my more memorable stupid moments!!
4) Somehow, tear yourself away from the beauty of this area with enough time to get back to Estes Park, and then back to Denver Airport with enough time to make your flight. This step would be the hardest part for me -- I love this park!!
Jul 13th, 2016 | 12:12 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
First of - thanks! This is a big help.
A few details / questions / clarifications.
First of all - yes I will be visiting this summer (August).
In general, in the past I have had a problem with driving through mountain passes in Europe (narrow roads. no rails, driving on the edge of a falloff). So, with this in mind:
1. What are the for's and against's for Fall River Road? How long does it take (including stops for taking in the scenery)?
2. Trail Ridge Road - since you mentioned "as long as you dare" - is this a cliff edge drive?
3. Bear Lake - I see that the walk around is only 0.5 miles. Since I have the entire day, what specific areas would you recommend? Other trails in the Bear Lake vicinity or other areas of the park? I have to be at the airport at around 8:30 in the evening (return my car, check in for an 11:55 PM flight) which is around a 2 hour drive so I should leave the park around 6:00 pm I guess.
Thanks again!
A few details / questions / clarifications.
First of all - yes I will be visiting this summer (August).
In general, in the past I have had a problem with driving through mountain passes in Europe (narrow roads. no rails, driving on the edge of a falloff). So, with this in mind:
1. What are the for's and against's for Fall River Road? How long does it take (including stops for taking in the scenery)?
2. Trail Ridge Road - since you mentioned "as long as you dare" - is this a cliff edge drive?
3. Bear Lake - I see that the walk around is only 0.5 miles. Since I have the entire day, what specific areas would you recommend? Other trails in the Bear Lake vicinity or other areas of the park? I have to be at the airport at around 8:30 in the evening (return my car, check in for an 11:55 PM flight) which is around a 2 hour drive so I should leave the park around 6:00 pm I guess.
Thanks again!
Jul 13th, 2016 | 01:10 AM
#6
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
I would definitely at least drive to the top of Trail Ridge Road, it is spectacular and not to be missed if you are in the area. (Giant RVs do it all time.) There are paved pullouts for viewing in several places near the top, even interesting trails (tundra, rocks, views). I never recommend Fall River Road, there's really no reason to; the views cannot compare to Trail Ridge.
There's more to the Bear Lake trail system than the lake loop.
You can get great info from the park website about various trails, distances, elevation gain, etc. (For example, I would nix the Bierstadt Lake hike for someone who has only a day and is not used to the altitude.) There are many light hikes, some with little or no elevation gain, that you can do on the east side that will be scenic and give you a taste of the park.
We always prefer the Fall River entrance to the park.
There's more to the Bear Lake trail system than the lake loop.
You can get great info from the park website about various trails, distances, elevation gain, etc. (For example, I would nix the Bierstadt Lake hike for someone who has only a day and is not used to the altitude.) There are many light hikes, some with little or no elevation gain, that you can do on the east side that will be scenic and give you a taste of the park.
We always prefer the Fall River entrance to the park.
Jul 13th, 2016 | 08:11 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
> Since I have the entire day,
> what specific areas would you recommend?
> Other trails in the Bear Lake vicinity
> or other areas of the park?
You could spend several days hiking around the Bear Lake area. To Alberta Falls
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182617032/
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182617022/
or to Dream Lake
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182616972/
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182616982/
or to a dozen other places.
I definitely agree with Sylvia, drive up Trail Ridge Road as high up you can (there is SOME chance of altitude sickness). You'll get some great overviews of the scenery, and understand why the federal government decided to protect this land.
> what specific areas would you recommend?
> Other trails in the Bear Lake vicinity
> or other areas of the park?
You could spend several days hiking around the Bear Lake area. To Alberta Falls
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182617032/
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182617022/
or to Dream Lake
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182616972/
www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/28182616982/
or to a dozen other places.
I definitely agree with Sylvia, drive up Trail Ridge Road as high up you can (there is SOME chance of altitude sickness). You'll get some great overviews of the scenery, and understand why the federal government decided to protect this land.
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Jul 13th, 2016 | 11:33 AM
#8
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Arik -
Since you don't want to travel Trail Ridge Road, you will want to stay in Estes Park. Although I am also terrified of heights and cannot drive on Trail Ridge Road or Fall River Road, I found an excellent alternative - a Jeep tour. There are several of these companies in Estes Park, however, we took the early morning tour (to miss the afternoon thunderstorms) with Rocky Mountain Rush. Our driver was very experienced and careful. At the point of drop offs, you can simply close your eyes for a minute until that is past. The scenery is spectacular and it will be an unforgettable experience that will be the highlight of your trip to the park.
The trail around Bear Lake is easy (going counterclockwise, you will get the best photo ops and views about half way round). In addition, there are a number of other trails radiating from the parking lot that are marked, along with their length. Many of these involve gaining altitude and may be too strenuous for a first time visitor who has not acclimated. Rangers at the parking lot station can assist as to degree of difficulty for each hike and other questions. It really depends on how in shape you are and how the altitude affects you, which you may not know until you are there.
On the way up to Bear Lake is Sprague Lake (has its own parking lot), which is a very flat, easy hike that also offers - surprisingly - some gorgeous views. I had never been until last year, thinking it would not be rewarding, but it was most worthwhile and is now someplace I take first time visitors.
Otherwise, there is plenty of safe driving and gorgeous scenery in the lower elevations of the park. I always stop at the visitors center to ask rangers about wildlife viewing on a particular day.
Also, I enjoy taking an hour or two to walk through Estes Park. While the shops can be tacky, a number of these have western products and gear that are foreign and therefore very interesting to someone like me who is from the East Coast.
Enjoy your trip!
Since you don't want to travel Trail Ridge Road, you will want to stay in Estes Park. Although I am also terrified of heights and cannot drive on Trail Ridge Road or Fall River Road, I found an excellent alternative - a Jeep tour. There are several of these companies in Estes Park, however, we took the early morning tour (to miss the afternoon thunderstorms) with Rocky Mountain Rush. Our driver was very experienced and careful. At the point of drop offs, you can simply close your eyes for a minute until that is past. The scenery is spectacular and it will be an unforgettable experience that will be the highlight of your trip to the park.
The trail around Bear Lake is easy (going counterclockwise, you will get the best photo ops and views about half way round). In addition, there are a number of other trails radiating from the parking lot that are marked, along with their length. Many of these involve gaining altitude and may be too strenuous for a first time visitor who has not acclimated. Rangers at the parking lot station can assist as to degree of difficulty for each hike and other questions. It really depends on how in shape you are and how the altitude affects you, which you may not know until you are there.
On the way up to Bear Lake is Sprague Lake (has its own parking lot), which is a very flat, easy hike that also offers - surprisingly - some gorgeous views. I had never been until last year, thinking it would not be rewarding, but it was most worthwhile and is now someplace I take first time visitors.
Otherwise, there is plenty of safe driving and gorgeous scenery in the lower elevations of the park. I always stop at the visitors center to ask rangers about wildlife viewing on a particular day.
Also, I enjoy taking an hour or two to walk through Estes Park. While the shops can be tacky, a number of these have western products and gear that are foreign and therefore very interesting to someone like me who is from the East Coast.
Enjoy your trip!
Jul 13th, 2016 | 12:58 PM
#9
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
TRR is a very safe drive; if those massive RVs can do it, a sedan certainly can. IMO, it is the most spectacular part of the park, the best reason to visit RMNP, and it would be a shame not to at least go to the visitors center at the top. Where, BTW, you will see cars from all over the country.
Jul 13th, 2016 | 02:09 PM
#10
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
If nervous about driving then a jeep tour would be your best option. You will enjoy it more if not worried about drop offs etc. and you'll also be able to look at the views rather than watching the road. It's not so much a matter of if you can do it ( I'm sure you can) but it's about enjoying the trip. Actually the worst thing will probably be other drivers and people standing in the middle of the road trying to get photos of the Elk.
