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Estes Park During Thanksgiving
Posted on 10/8/19 at 8:06 am
Posted on 10/8/19 at 8:06 am
Taking the family to Estes Park for Thanksgiving. Looking for recs for things to do nature wise (I know we will be limited here due to time of year) and places to eat. There is a Christmas parade in the downtown area on the Friday after Thanksgiving and are planning on going to that. We will have a rental car.
6
Posted on 10/8/19 at 12:17 pm to Buck Dancer
quote:
Taking the family to Estes Park for Thanksgiving. Looking for recs for things to do nature wise (I know we will be limited here due to time of year) and places to eat.
We were there in August, our only time, so I don't about November. But there are many hiking trails on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Go to the Visitor Center near the east entrance to RMNP to get hiking recommendations.
Trail Ridge Road goes across the mountains to Grand Lake and you can call this number to get the updated travel info.
970-586-1222
There is an unpaved road from Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Center and then you can take the paved road back down the mountain to Estes Park.
These are a couple of places we hiked.
[/url][/img] You can hike around Bear Lake, it is mostly flat and there is a parking lot nearby, or if it is crowded (probably won't be in Nov.) you take a shuttle.
The other lakes are at a higher elevation but the trails are good.
[/url][/img] List of trails posted at the ranger station at Bear Lake.
[/url][/img] Section of the trail from Bear Lake to Nymph Lake.
We also walked around Lilly Lake which is several miles outside of EP; you can drive to it.
We ate lunch/dinner at You Need Pie and Notchtop Bakery & Café that are both in the Stanley Village Shopping Center. It was diner type food; I liked it.
We also got cinnamon rolls at Cinnamon's Bakery. You have to get there early cause they run out, or so I'm told.
This post was edited on 10/8/19 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 10/9/19 at 11:01 am to nctiger71
I've been several times To Estes Park. We stay at the Windcliff Vacation homes. Every home is high in the mountains and directly across from the Rocky Mountain National Park. I am going for my anniversary on Nov 4th to Nov. 11th.
Me and Wife love to hike, so we will be hiking a lot.
Trail ridge road is the best place to start. While driving up the mountain if you get out to take a good view of a gorgeous spot, chances are if you throw a few peanuts out on the side of the mountain, a bunch of ground squirrels will come out to greet you. They are everywhere.
Me and Wife love to hike, so we will be hiking a lot.
Trail ridge road is the best place to start. While driving up the mountain if you get out to take a good view of a gorgeous spot, chances are if you throw a few peanuts out on the side of the mountain, a bunch of ground squirrels will come out to greet you. They are everywhere.
Posted on 10/9/19 at 12:45 pm to Jamey21
Any shorter hikes you can recommend having three kids aged 11-7 with us for that time of year?
Thanks for the reply
Thanks for the reply
Posted on 10/9/19 at 1:36 pm to Buck Dancer
FYI - average close date on Trail Ridge Road is late October.
Posted on 10/10/19 at 6:50 pm to Buck Dancer
quote:
Any shorter hikes you can recommend having three kids aged 11-7 with us for that time of year?
Shorter than a 1/2 mile?
It is ~ 1/2 mile walk around Bear Lake and it is mostly flat.
Posted on 10/11/19 at 6:18 am to Buck Dancer
All of the popular lake hikes aren’t really “hikes,” they are nearly impeccable walking paths with benches and rest points.
Bear and Nymph are super easy with kids those ages.
I recommend driving over to the Wild Basin area as well.
Bear and Nymph are super easy with kids those ages.
I recommend driving over to the Wild Basin area as well.
Posted on 10/14/19 at 7:19 am to LSUfan20005
Wife and I are going in June. Can someone recommend places to stay? Cabin or house?
Posted on 10/14/19 at 7:59 am to nctiger71
quote:
There is an unpaved road from Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Center and then you can take the paved road back down the mountain to Estes Park.
It's great but won't be open at Thanksgiving.
A lot of hiking trails are open all winter - cross country skiers keep them packed down. Can be slippery on a warm day but otherwise good for hiking. You may be able to hike out on a frozen lake, depending on how cold November is. Bear - Dream - Nymph - Emerald gets a lot of use, as always.
The hike from Glacier Gorge Junction to Alberta Falls isn't too bad (0.6 miles) and is fairly low elevation and sunny so it may be easier to do. From there to Mills Lake isn't too much climbing and Mills has a very nice view of Longs Peak.
Posted on 10/14/19 at 1:48 pm to Buck Dancer
As several have said, Pikes Peak will be closed, it closed last week for the snow storm.
Bear Lake is an obvious choice for inexperienced hikers with likely not the best clothes/gear. I suggest first going in to one of the local gear shops, they do all sorts of rentals on all gear needed.
Depending on snow... there may be some fun sledding hills around. But after you get there, like mentioned just head to a gear shop and ask the locals for some things to do.
Bear Lake is an obvious choice for inexperienced hikers with likely not the best clothes/gear. I suggest first going in to one of the local gear shops, they do all sorts of rentals on all gear needed.
Depending on snow... there may be some fun sledding hills around. But after you get there, like mentioned just head to a gear shop and ask the locals for some things to do.
Posted on 10/14/19 at 8:12 pm to Day to Day
quote:
Wife and I are going in June. Can someone recommend places to stay? Cabin or house?
Last couple of times we were in Estes Park, we stayed at the Silver Moon Inn. Great locally owned motel within walking distance to downtown and convenient to RMNP.
Reserve early.
Posted on 10/31/19 at 4:19 pm to ElderTiger
]Wife and I are going in June. Can someone recommend places to stay? Cabin or house? [/quote]
Check into Windcliff vacation homes. Must stay. Google the name. Windcliff vacation homes in Estes park.
This post was edited on 10/31/19 at 4:22 pm
Posted on 11/1/19 at 7:05 pm to Lsupimp
Is anyone old enough to remember Grand Lake Lodge over the mountain at Grand Lake. I worked as a dishwasher and chefs helper around 1972. Stayed in one of their cabins and I was in heaven. I was a louisiana boy and awestruck. Took my buddys back the next year and it was burned to the ground. I caught hell for dragging them that far to a pile of ashes.
Posted on 11/24/19 at 9:05 pm to Day to Day
Glacier Lodge, ask for Dave the owner. Great guy.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 12:07 am to Buck Dancer
We have a lot of snow coming in starting tomorrow night. Plan accordingly.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 6:48 am to Hogwall Jackson
Yes been watching the weather big time. We fly in Tuesday around 1pm and pick up rental car to drive to Estes. Hoping it’s not as bad as they say, as not sure what to do if it is real bad. I guess we could get a hotel in Denver for Tuesday night and make the drive Wednesday.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 9:19 am to Buck Dancer
I would try and get a flight into Denver by tonight, this looks like the kind of storm that will have DIA closed tomorrow.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 9:30 am to Buck Dancer
Hey Buck, Hopefully you're able to change your flight to today or Wednesday. Unfortunately, it looks like this one might cripple the airport if not shut it down completely.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 10:36 am to Buck Dancer
quote:
We fly in Tuesday around 1pm
Many airlines are offering waivers, I would also try and move this flight to Wednesday if possible.
Roads are going to be awful - but if it all still works out and you can fly in, just be sure to get the right type of car/tires. Your idea of staying in Denver for a night isn't a bad one if you aren't used to driving in snow/ice.
Best of luck, stay safe.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 11:41 am to Buck Dancer
Estes appears to be the bullseye for this one, almost 2 feet of snow in 24 hours
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