13 replies to this topic

[kelly campbell]

Hi
My wife and I will be visiting the second week of August this year and had planned on staying the first four days in the denver/golden area. The second four days in the estes park area iin a cabin. What should we expect from the weather and where would be a good cabin at a secent rate in or around the RMNP area? I would prefer kind of secluded or near water.
Thanks
Kelly

[SandyM]

As far as weather goes, expect anything. Normally days are warm and evenings chilly. Always a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
Hope this helps.

SandyM

[John]

Sandy is right...it can be 80 in the daytime or it can be 30 at night. Here is a link to a chart that shows averages by month.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/weather-ep.htm

[chipper]

As far as weather goes, expect anything. Normally days are warm and evenings chilly. Always a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
Hope this helps.

SandyM

Exactly what Sandy said - we were there in August last year and it snowed. TRR was closed That's fairly unusual tho. I love the afternoon thunderstorms.

[GLENNinPA]

Was there last summer at that time. We had total wash out rainshowers for almost 3 straight days. Couldn't do anything. Cleared and there was lots of snow on the peaks and in higher elevations. The day after that we hiked to Sky Pond in 70 degree weather. So yeah, anything can happen.

[junkie]

Pinebrookvacationrentals.com has some cabins like you describe. we have stayed at rocks edge - its a neat little cabin.

Also, vrbo.com will have lots of options as well.

Chris

p.s. if it were me, i'd spend more time in RMNP / Estes and less time in Denver (unless you have something specific compelling you to go there).

[Larry]

You DO have raingear right????

The over/under is 4 soakings!

Larry

[kelly campbell]

You DO have raingear right????

The over/under is 4 soakings!

Larry

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP, GREATLY APPRECIATED, WHAT IS TRR? ALSO WHAT ABOUT SUNRISE AND SUNSET THAT TIME OF YEAR? SO WHEN IS IS RAINING WHAT DO YOU DO? DO YOU HEAD INSIDE OR JUST KEEP HIKING? THANKS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GREAT AND YES I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO KEEP ME AROUND DENVER FOR AT LEAST TWO DAYS. I AM ALSO OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS IS THE ANYWHERE BETTER TO GO OTHER THAN ESTES AND RMNP AREA SUCH AS THE COL SPRINGS AREA? OR MAYBE INDIAN HOT SPRINGS?
Kelly

Edited by kelly campbell, 02 February 2009 - 07:03 AM.

[DeeCeeM]

TRR is Trail Ridge Road. You may also see OFRR, which is Old Fall River Road and the AVC, or Alpine Visitors Center.

As for what to do when it's raining, the main thing to remember is to be sure you're below tree line if there's any threat of lightening. This is the number one rule of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Other than than, if you've got appropriate rain gear you can just keep going. I've found a light drizzle to be a great time to explore Bear Lake. For that matter, anywhere you're under the canopy of trees, a light rain won't bother you much at all. The best way to beat the rain, though, is to start your hike really early in the morning, as most of the storms brew up in the afternoon. That way, it you do run into rain, you will most likely on your way back down, anyway.

As for a better place to go than RMNP - there's nowhere close to Denver that matches it. The Springs are great, but they don't come even close to RMNP.

[Pretzel]

Was there last year about that time and it was hot, dry, and dusty at low elevations. Hikes up high were much cooler (Sky Pond, etc). Out of a week, it rained hard maybe three afternoon for a while, and only one of those was soaker. got some sleet/ice coming down from Ypsilon.

Have fun. You'll love it.

[kelly campbell]

Ok Thanks a lot...I do have a foot problem so I can not do any real vigerous hiking any suggestions on easy or relatively easy hikes and maybe shorter? Also what about rafting and horse back riding? We have never rafted so I would once again want an easy one with not the hardest white water rapids.
Thanks for all your help as you can tell this is a whole new thing for us we have never been in rmnp or the area so we want to have fun. I have tickets to two bb games in Denver on a friday and sunday. so everything else is open...How long does it take to get from denver to rmnp?
Kelly

[DeeCeeM]

How long it will take you to get there depends on which route you take - see here for options. With your timetable, you may not want to try the longest (green) route, but I highly recommend the pink one through Big Thompson Canyon as an alternative. I'd allow 2 hours so you can enjoy the scenery along the way, though it can be done faster. (Of course, actual time required depends on where in Denver you're starting from.)

Also because of your limited time available, I'd skip rafting. The only rafting options aren't really all that close to Estes Park. I thinkk you'll be a whole lot happier spending your time in RMNP.

There are plenty of stables around. Some are inside the park itself, and some are in Estes Park. I've used several and enjoyed them all. Here's a link to a list provided by the NPS.

I think everybody's favorite short hike is to Dream Lake. Others to consider would be the Pool, the Wild Basin Trail and Bierstadt Lake from Bear Lake.

By the way, our other website, RMNPGuide, has sample itineraries that you might find helpful. Here's the one for 3 days. You could also check out some of the options on the longer ones for alternatives.

Keep on asking questions, and we'll be happy to answer them.

[kelly campbell]

Great Info thanks...I may have more time than three days as I arrive earlyon Tuesday into DIA(8:00am) I figured drive up to the estes park are get checked in hit the town by some groceries have lunch then I should be ready to something by2:00 or 3:00?? The one baseball game is Friday evening at 7:00 so I have most of the day then as well. Sundays ball game 1:00 or so so that may screw up the day for estes area but I check out a little bit of denver. I am not checking out until tuesday for early flight on wed, so you don't think the rafting is worth it huh? Iam not a real fitness buff so I can not do a lot of hiking disatance at once of climb etc. You think the horse thing may be a good idea? I could do it on the friday of the night game or something of that nature. Anyway I really appreciate all oyur insight we just want to enjoy that beautiful land you all get to enjoy all the time.
Thanks
Kelly

[Jim K]

Great Info thanks... Iam not a real fitness buff so I can not do a lot of hiking disatance at once of climb etc. ............ Iappreciate all oyur insight we just want to enjoy that beautiful land you all get to enjoy all the time.
Thanks
Kelly

My first time in RMNP was in 1992 and have been back every year since. My first time in the Park I mostly just drove around looking at the scenery and wildlife and taking pictures and was blown away by it all. I was never more than 200 yards from my vehicle and never got bored or ran out of beautiful views or wildlife sightings. You could easily spend three days in the park just driving around and sightseeing without doing any hiking at all and still be in awe of the Park. 17 years later I'm still discovering new things I've never seen. One word of caution; its very addicting.

Jim