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Started By
Message
Rocky Mountain National Park - any recs?
Posted on 6/16/21 at 6:56 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 6:56 pm
Anyone ever been?
Thinking about a one night trip. What must I see?
Thinking about a one night trip. What must I see?
8
Posted on 6/16/21 at 7:24 pm to MintBerry Crunch
Do you like to hike?
If no, Trail Ridge Road.
If yes, Sky Pond...and Trail Ridge Road
If no, Trail Ridge Road.
If yes, Sky Pond...and Trail Ridge Road
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 7:26 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 7:25 pm to kciDAtaE
Posted on 6/16/21 at 8:26 pm to MintBerry Crunch
Eat at The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. Trust me.
Posted on 6/16/21 at 10:40 pm to MintBerry Crunch
You need an entry reservation.
Posted on 6/16/21 at 11:06 pm to kciDAtaE
Another somewhat less popular but fun hike is to spectacle lakes. That last stretch requires you to do a bit of a scramble up a rock face or a creek bed but it’s quite the payoff once your reach the lakes.
Posted on 6/17/21 at 12:16 am to meeple
Going at 4:45am
Posted on 6/17/21 at 8:17 am to MintBerry Crunch
Just returned from a week in Estes Park. One day is a quick trip for sure. Agree with above poster -
Hike - Sky pond
No hike - trail ridge road.
That’s the biggest bang for your buck in one day. Now Sky pond isn’t a casual jaunt from the parking lot. When I was there we had to rent crampons for ice/snow but it may be doable without that now given the warm weather the area has had. Enjoy!
Hike - Sky pond
No hike - trail ridge road.
That’s the biggest bang for your buck in one day. Now Sky pond isn’t a casual jaunt from the parking lot. When I was there we had to rent crampons for ice/snow but it may be doable without that now given the warm weather the area has had. Enjoy!
Posted on 6/17/21 at 8:43 am to MintBerry Crunch
quote:
Anyone ever been?
There are many post on the TB about RMNP if you search.
Are you entering from the west side (Grand Lake) or the east side (Estes Park)? Trail Ridge Road connects the two. Most people stay in EP and enter from the east side. When we went we spent one night in GL and then took TRR to EP for a night.
Posted on 6/17/21 at 12:22 pm to nctiger71
What are the "can't miss" areas of RMNP? Is there any reason to go there specifically if you've been out west to places like GTNP, Yellowstone, and other areas of Colorado? Or is it just really pretty mountains? Trying to decide if its worth a day or two in November when we will be doing other things out there?
Posted on 6/17/21 at 3:34 pm to MintBerry Crunch
A small suggestion if you are coming through the Estes side and have a few minutes to spare...
When driving up, take a left in Lyons to go through Allenspark. It’s a beautiful drive.
When driving up, take a left in Lyons to go through Allenspark. It’s a beautiful drive.
Posted on 6/17/21 at 5:03 pm to baldona
quote:That's a good question. In the context of the question I would say it is just really pretty mountains unless, perhaps, you plan to do a lot of hiking.
Is there any reason to go there specifically if you've been out west to places like GTNP, Yellowstone, and other areas of Colorado? Or is it just really pretty mountains? Trying to decide if its worth a day or two in November when we will be doing other things out there?
Don't misunderstand, it is worth a visit especially if it fits in with the rest of your trip. But, IMO, Grand Tetons are more spectacular, Yellowstone has more wildlife and unique geological features, and other highways have overlooks with great views.
The Trail Ridge Road will probably be closed in November which will limit the area you can see; you won't be able to drive across the mountain from Grand Lake to Estes Park (or EP to GL) and those are the only two entrances.
I probably would not go there in November but I've only been once and that was in August.
Posted on 6/17/21 at 5:50 pm to baldona
RMNP will likely be too snowy for hiking in November. I’d much rather ski during that time of year. You’ll get the same or better views skiing as in RMNP, unless you’re doing one of the absolute best hikes in RMNP (likely snowed in in November.)
I personally like RMNP the most of any national park but only because there’s just so much hiking there that most people don’t touch. Without hiking, it’d probably be cool for a few hours, but I’d rather spend more time along 70 that time of year.
Now if you’re willing to snowshoe, it’s a different ballgame. Tons of cool lake hikes in RMNP to snowshoe to with minimal crowds in November.
I personally like RMNP the most of any national park but only because there’s just so much hiking there that most people don’t touch. Without hiking, it’d probably be cool for a few hours, but I’d rather spend more time along 70 that time of year.
Now if you’re willing to snowshoe, it’s a different ballgame. Tons of cool lake hikes in RMNP to snowshoe to with minimal crowds in November.
Posted on 6/18/21 at 10:19 am to Tiger in Gatorland
quote:
Now Sky pond isn’t a casual jaunt from the parking lot.
Sky Pond is a difficult hike and probably only for those in pretty good shape. If you want to hike but need easier, go for Dream Lake. Most people in average shape can do Dream Lake.
And get your reservation.
Posted on 6/18/21 at 10:39 am to MintBerry Crunch
quote:
a one night trip
Trail Ridge Road - assuming it is open. You can drive up on Fall River Road (one way - the original road over the divide). To me it's the must see thing to do in the park.
I've been there many times and hiked most trails. Trail hiking really is the reason to go. Be aware that if you are coming from low altitude that the altitude is going to kick your arse for a few days until you get acclimated. We'd always start with short hikes and work our way up to the big ones. For a one day trip I'd stick with something pretty basic for a hike. Maybe Lake Haiyaha which can be a nice loop trail that isn't too challenging. Or Mills Lake and then on to Black Lake if you are doing well.
Posted on 6/18/21 at 8:55 pm to MintBerry Crunch
Be aware that there are many burned out areas from last year's fires. The devastation on the west side of the park was jaw dropping.
The Wild Basin area is beautiful and less busy. The trail to Bluebird Lake is great because it follows a mountain stream, has multiple waterfalls and lakes, and you can just take it as far as you want. Bluebird lake itself is 12.5 roundtrip with about 2500 ft. gain.
If you want to drive Trail Ridge Road and hike on the west side, the Colorado River trail is great. Fairly flat, but with views of the Neversummer Mountains, plenty of chances to see animals (we've seen moose, deer, goats, sheep, foxes), and seeing the Colorado River near its source is kinda cool. Stop at Sagebrush BBQ in Grand Lake before turning back.
If you are looking for something a bit easier, try Gem Lake. It has its own entrance so its less busy and really easy to get to from Estes Park.
The Wild Basin area is beautiful and less busy. The trail to Bluebird Lake is great because it follows a mountain stream, has multiple waterfalls and lakes, and you can just take it as far as you want. Bluebird lake itself is 12.5 roundtrip with about 2500 ft. gain.
If you want to drive Trail Ridge Road and hike on the west side, the Colorado River trail is great. Fairly flat, but with views of the Neversummer Mountains, plenty of chances to see animals (we've seen moose, deer, goats, sheep, foxes), and seeing the Colorado River near its source is kinda cool. Stop at Sagebrush BBQ in Grand Lake before turning back.
If you are looking for something a bit easier, try Gem Lake. It has its own entrance so its less busy and really easy to get to from Estes Park.
Posted on 6/18/21 at 11:35 pm to El Segundo Guy
quote:
Eat at The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. Trust me.
I loved that place!
Posted on 6/19/21 at 8:02 am to kciDAtaE
Might leave out of Denver at 7pm. Can I do sky pond and make it back to my car by 2?
This post was edited on 6/19/21 at 9:52 am
Posted on 6/19/21 at 10:02 am to MintBerry Crunch
quote:
Might leave out of Denver at 7pm. Can I do sky pond and make it back to my car by 2?
7pm? I don’t understand.
Trailhead for sky pond is very popular and lot fills up quickly. Last time we got there before 6am and it was starting to fill up. We ate lunch and added a few additional miles on a loop trail and was done around 2pm.
I don’t see how you can finish Sky Pond leaving from Denver in 7 hours. The driving and parking will kill you.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 12:36 pm to kciDAtaE
Staying near the park the night before. I'll be in the park by 4:30am. I think I'll be fine to be back in Denver by 5pm
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