wdross wrote:
As others have said, Trail Ridge Road is closed for the winter. But the west side of the park is absolutely beautiful. It will have less traffic and people at this time of year than the east side. There are areas around Grand Lake and Granby that have much to offer. And there are areas west of Granby that I feel would be to your liking. Dinosaur National Monument is not all that far away. Even if you do not go that far west, you will find that the local people will tell you of other places to see. As scenic as Royal Gorge Bridge is, I think it is a little too far south of where you will be to easily get there. Be aware that ski season will probably have started in Winter Park by the time you have arrived there. And be aware that jeeps have good get up and go in the snowy passes, but they take take almost the same distance to stop as any other car in snow.
As others have said, Trail Ridge Road is closed fo... (
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Getting to the west side from Estes Park takes several hours if Trail Ridge is closed (and 2 or 3 when it's open).
Unfortunately, beetle kill has almost totally wiped out the lodge pole pine on the west side of the park and around Grand Lake. The last time I was there, about 6 years ago, all that surrounded the lake were dead, burnt-orange colored trees; I'm sure by now they are just bare wood.
And you are absolutely correct about the Jeep...it may help you on snow or snow packed roads, but on ice - the only difference between 2WD and 4WD is the number of wheels spinning or locked up and sliding. Don't be over confident because you are driving a 4WD...when I lived in the high country I saw more 4wheelers in the ditches than anything else. I think skiers just enjoy sliding on snow/ice :lol: no matter where they find it :lol: :lol:
The real way to see the Gorge is from a tour-guided rubber raft. We did that several years ago, and I'd go again in a heartbeat (which is FAST when you're in the raft). Beats a roller coaster ride 10:1.
Don't take a good camera with you, tho, unless it's VERY waterproof & shockproof.
74vwsunbug wrote:
The real way to see the Gorge is from a tour-guided rubber raft. We did that several years ago, and I'd go again in a heartbeat (which is FAST when you're in the raft). Beats a roller coaster ride 10:1.
Don't take a good camera with you, tho, unless it's VERY waterproof & shockproof.
The train going through the Gorge is good too, they have an open car so it's not like you are stuck in a seat looking at the window. And it's dry, LOL! But it's also pricey, I heard $70/person. It's a 2+hr ride, but that's still high for my budget.
It looks like the Gorge will be about 160 miles from where we will be staying in Winter Park.
camorris wrote:
It looks like the Gorge will be about 160 miles from where we will be staying in Winter Park.
It's kind of far to go if you're only going to be there one week...
That's what I was thinking, but I'll put that on my list for next time.
camorris wrote:
That's what I was thinking, but I'll put that on my list for next time.
For some reason I was thinking you were staying in Estes Park, not Winter Park...still too far for the Gorge and probably most of my earlier suggestions...sorry.
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