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Estes Park at Thanksgiving
Posted on 10/20/22 at 9:27 pm
Posted on 10/20/22 at 9:27 pm
Looking to make our first trip(family of 6) to Colorado and this looks like it could be a good start.
Plan on flying out of NOLA on Tuesday 11/22 and flying back on Saturday 11/26.
We have never been in a cold climate before and not sure if snow will be an issue. We would like to be able to visit the national park and do some light hiking/exploring?
Any advice/suggestions appreciated
Plan is to rent a car at airport to be able to explore a little bit as well.
Plan on flying out of NOLA on Tuesday 11/22 and flying back on Saturday 11/26.
We have never been in a cold climate before and not sure if snow will be an issue. We would like to be able to visit the national park and do some light hiking/exploring?
Any advice/suggestions appreciated
Plan is to rent a car at airport to be able to explore a little bit as well.
This post was edited on 10/20/22 at 9:28 pm
7
Posted on 10/20/22 at 9:43 pm to tigertail34
quote:
We have never been in a cold climate before and not sure if snow will be an issue
you know how you wish it was winter when its 100 F outside and you wish it was summer when its 35 F? When you get there, you will wish it was summer more than you ever have if you dont dress warm
Posted on 10/20/22 at 11:08 pm to tigertail34
Hopefully the RMNP will be covered in 3’ of snow by Thanksgiving.
Posted on 10/21/22 at 5:05 am to tigertail34
I’ve only been to Estes during the summer, though it did snow when we were there last august. Trail ridge road will be closed. You should think strongly about snow shoe hiking or hiking with spikes to Mills Lake. It’s not the world’s toughest hike, but it’s about 6 miles round trip. Glacier Gorge is beautiful.
This post was edited on 10/21/22 at 5:06 am
Posted on 10/21/22 at 7:57 am to pjab
If we wanted to be able to drive around and make some random stops and light hike would this even be possible at this time?
We did Zion last year at Easter and kids loved the random hikes, but we were in shorts/short sleeves!
Sounds like this trip may be a better summer trip??
We did Zion last year at Easter and kids loved the random hikes, but we were in shorts/short sleeves!
Sounds like this trip may be a better summer trip??
Posted on 10/21/22 at 9:14 am to tigertail34
book you some cinnamon rolls at cinnamons is my suggestion.
Posted on 10/21/22 at 9:58 am to tigertail34
quote:
Sounds like this trip may be a better summer trip??
Not necessarily but you will need to be flexible. My sister lives in Longmont and we went there last thanksgiving. The weather is very unpredictable, it could be 70* one day and 25* the next with a foot of snow that time of year.
First off OP, you need to look at flights and accomodations ASAP. Denver isn't cheap and you are picking one of the most popular times to travel in the country.
I would suggest staying somewhere north of Denver in the Longmont, Boulder, Fort Collins area so that if it does snow hard and the roads are closed in the mountains you will have some options down low. Its only about 30-40 mins from Fort Collins and Longmont to Estes so an easy and nice drive.
As said, they close a lot of stuff off in the mountains in the fall/ winter so just make sure you plan appropriately as far as don't plan a whole day of hikes where you won't have access to.
Posted on 10/21/22 at 10:18 am to baldona
We went a few years ago during Thanksgiving and they got hit with a snow storm. Got stuck in Denver two days, which was fine. Plenty to do there with the kids. Then drove to Estes and was able to go into RMNP everyday , just couldn't go to the higher elevations. But, it was fine. Plenty to see / do and it was beautiful with the snow cover everywhere.
If you get stuck in Denver , check out the Museum of Nature and Science.
We did a tour in RMNP with Estes Park Guided Tours and that was awesome.
If you get stuck in Denver , check out the Museum of Nature and Science.
We did a tour in RMNP with Estes Park Guided Tours and that was awesome.
Posted on 10/21/22 at 10:55 pm to tigertail34
I’ve hiked it in early May before all the lakes melted and the snow was still on most of the trails. I loved it, even though we were cold. I prefer to hike in the mountains when its cold after doing summer hiking. Most of the main trails there can be safely hiked in snow or some ice.
Posted on 10/22/22 at 8:00 pm to tigertail34
quote:
Sounds like this trip may be a better summer trip??
Agreed. We went this past summer and it was incredible. The best part of the park, Trail Ridge Road, will likely be closed by then. I’m guessing the wild life won’t be as abundant then as well.
Posted on 10/22/22 at 9:40 pm to tigertail34
Stay in Denver. Much more likely to have no road issues and cheaper than staying in estes park. You can have open plans if your park visits are closed due to weather. You are a short drive from estes and boulder day trips.
Posted on 10/23/22 at 3:59 am to tigertail34
We went quite often to listen to the elk bugling and rounding up their hoochie mamas. Beautiful location. Unpredictable weather during Thanksgiving but find yourself a vrbo Airbnb and enjoy your time there. Definitely rent a 4x4 but understand it won’t help you stop faster on slick roads but will give you better traction overall.
Wear in layers, especially if you are hiking so you can take off as you heat up and add back should you need to. You don’t want to get completely sweaty and keeping feet warm and dry is key. Drink lots of water always throughout your stay, high altitude and dry weather can cause dehydration quickly. Enjoy eating out but be sure to have food supplies should you get snowed in. As someone said be ready for flexibility but you all should have a great time.
We are taking all of our kids and their families to Breckinridge for Christmas and snowboarding, skiing, sledding, etc.
Wear in layers, especially if you are hiking so you can take off as you heat up and add back should you need to. You don’t want to get completely sweaty and keeping feet warm and dry is key. Drink lots of water always throughout your stay, high altitude and dry weather can cause dehydration quickly. Enjoy eating out but be sure to have food supplies should you get snowed in. As someone said be ready for flexibility but you all should have a great time.
We are taking all of our kids and their families to Breckinridge for Christmas and snowboarding, skiing, sledding, etc.
Posted on 10/23/22 at 7:28 am to rphtx
quote:
Stay in Denver. Much more likely to have no road issues and cheaper than staying in estes park. You can have open plans if your park visits are closed due to weather. You are a short drive from estes and boulder day trips.
Yikes. Whatever you do, don't listen to this advice.
GTFO of Denver as fast as possible.
Thanksgiving is gamble time. It could be beautiful, it could be dumping. October - November in Estes is like this.
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