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Estes Park Recommendations
Posted on 5/30/22 at 8:10 pm
Posted on 5/30/22 at 8:10 pm
Our family is making a trip out to the RMNP this July and will be staying around Estes Park. One day we are going to rent a jeep and explore if anyone has recommendations on best the trails and the other day we're pretty free. Any can't miss things while out there?
10
Posted on 5/30/22 at 8:21 pm to tigerlife36
The Emerald lake hike is fantastic
Posted on 5/30/22 at 8:22 pm to tigerlife36
Do you mean trails by Jeep? I can’t help you there.
RMNP is known for Trail Ridge Road (among other things) which is an amazing drive. But it’s paved and you don’t need a Jeep. The drive is fantastic and I strongly recommend. It’s a full day.
Otherwise, I can recommend trails by foot in which you will need to drive to get there. But again, you don’t need a jeep to access the trailhead.
If I had two days in RMNP, I’d drive trail ridge road one day and hike Sky pond the other.
RMNP is known for Trail Ridge Road (among other things) which is an amazing drive. But it’s paved and you don’t need a Jeep. The drive is fantastic and I strongly recommend. It’s a full day.
Otherwise, I can recommend trails by foot in which you will need to drive to get there. But again, you don’t need a jeep to access the trailhead.
If I had two days in RMNP, I’d drive trail ridge road one day and hike Sky pond the other.
Posted on 5/30/22 at 9:05 pm to kciDAtaE
Yes we were going to do trail ridge road in our normal vehicle one day and then try and find off-road trails the next day with a jeep we were going to rent.
Posted on 5/30/22 at 9:14 pm to tigerlife36
Understood. I’m unfamiliar with off roading in the park. Didn't know that was an option. Report back if you find some good fun. Enjoy!
Posted on 5/30/22 at 9:47 pm to tigerlife36
quote:The Old Fall River Road is unpaved and goes from near EP to the Alpine Visitor Center. I don't think you need a 4 wheel drive but it wouldn't hurt I guess. The info below is from the RMNP web site. Old Fall River Road info
Yes we were going to do trail ridge road in our normal vehicle one day and then try and find off-road trails the next day with a jeep we were going to rent.
"Opened in 1920, Old Fall River Road earned the distinction of being the first auto route in Rocky Mountain National Park offering access to the park's high country. In the minds of many park visitors, the relatively subtle old route remains foremost. Unlike Trail Ridge Road, which is well known for being the highest continuous paved road in the nation, the Old Fall River Road is a much more "motor nature trail."
Primarily gravel, one-way uphill and punctuated by switchbacks, slower-paced, 11-mile-long. The old road quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park (a short distance west of the Fall River Entrance) through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796 feet above sea level. The journey to the alpine world at the top of Old Fall River Road is relaxing. The experience is one to be savored.
The posted speed limit is 15 miles per hour, a clear indication that a journey up Old Fall River Road is not for the impatient. There are no guard rails along this road. The road itself is safe, but narrow and curved. In places, the trees of the montane and subalpine forests are so close that motorists can touch them. Old Fall River Road is ideal for visitors seeking to become intimate with nature."
This post was edited on 5/30/22 at 9:49 pm
Posted on 5/30/22 at 11:30 pm to tigerlife36
For Jeep trails look into the area around bunce school road just south of Estes. There will be a lot of side by side traffic but it’s one of the best options within a short drive from the east side of the park. A little further south and a bit easier driving check out Switzerland trail.
Posted on 5/31/22 at 5:58 am to nctiger71
quote:
The Old Fall River Road is unpaved and goes from near EP to the Alpine Visitor Center. I don't think you need a 4 wheel drive but it wouldn't hurt I guess.
It's no problem driving it with a car. There are a couple of trailheads off of it before it reaches Trail Ridge Road (Mt. Ypsilon hike for one). It's one way, up, so you don't have to worry about oncoming traffic. I like going up it and then down Trail Ridge.
For a family place to stay see if there are cabins available at the YMCA of the Rockies. I've done it with family at least 10 times. It had gotten hard to find available cabins, not sure how covid has changed things.
We'd spend a week hiking the trails in the park, it's got an excellent trail system.
Posted on 5/31/22 at 2:33 pm to Tigris
How long of a day is it going down fall river and then Trail Ridge in a vehicle?
Posted on 5/31/22 at 6:57 pm to tigerlife36
The park itself doesn't have 4 wheel drive roads. www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com has guides in major trails. The Ute trail is amazing. It follows a ridge at 11k ft and has the best views in the park. Gem Lake is a nice hike that uses an alternative entrance near Estes.
Posted on 5/31/22 at 7:29 pm to tigerlife36
Drive Old Fall River road to Trail ridge road. Get a reservation on Recreation.gov TOMORROW. The July reservations are open tomorrow.
Posted on 5/31/22 at 7:30 pm to tigerlife36
About a 4 hour there-and-back
Posted on 5/31/22 at 9:53 pm to tigerlife36
Make sure you have your official “tickets” to get in the areas you are interested in. They still have that idiotic rule in place.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 6:30 am to tigerlife36
About half a day to go up Fall River and then down Trail Ridge, with stops to look around. Visitor Center on top of Trail Ridge is a good stop with some short trails and a restaurant and gift shop and bathrooms.
I'd do it as early in the morning as possible. Clouds tend to build during the day with rain in the afternoon, the best views are early morning. We'd usually leave the cabin before sunrise, but as early as you can get the group moving.
I'd do it as early in the morning as possible. Clouds tend to build during the day with rain in the afternoon, the best views are early morning. We'd usually leave the cabin before sunrise, but as early as you can get the group moving.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:10 am to tigerlife36
The timed entry permit reservations for July are now open on Recreation.gov
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 11:11 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 12:04 pm to MintBerry Crunch
We got back to back days at the park in July. I'm glad we did first thing this morning as we got the last couple of passes.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 1:04 pm to zippyputt
quote:
that idiotic rule
Have you seen the line to get into the park during the summertime?
Posted on 6/1/22 at 1:07 pm to tigerlife36
I've done the Gem Lake Trail and I thought that it was fantastic.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 2:11 pm to MintBerry Crunch
Yes, been there done that. Tickets still idiotic.
Just checked for late July. Only 2-4 pm available during the week. Useless if you are serious about hiking. Charge out the butt for tickets if you want to limit it.
Just checked for late July. Only 2-4 pm available during the week. Useless if you are serious about hiking. Charge out the butt for tickets if you want to limit it.
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 6/1/22 at 3:51 pm to zippyputt
That's because we scooped up all the tickets this morning when they released.
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