Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

Starting to plan next summer's travels, and my first stop will be the Rocky Mountain National Park for 6 nights and 5 days. Will be staying in Estes Park, and plan to make my first day the Bear Lake Loop as kind of an orientation for the next 4 days. Due to age, and other considerations I will not be looking to do any back country hiking, consequently I am looking for advice for easy 1 day excursions. I am into landscapes, panos, waterfalls (Chasm Falls is on my bucket list), and wild life. Also, is a 1 day round trip from Estes Park to Grand Lake a viable plan? Would think that to do either AM/PM "blue" or "golden" hours that I would have to travel through the park after dark, and that doesn't really appeal to me. I have only driven through the park on 2 different occasions many many years ago, and I don't remember much about either trip. Any help and/or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Gary aka Elmo

Busbum Loc: 85367

Gary,
I was in RMNP this August and had a grand time there... You have to realize that the old falls trail to Chasm Falls in a 9 mile one way dirt road, to the top of Sundance mountain @ 12000 feet... There is the Alpine Visitors center and gift shop... The road back is beautiful with pull offs to take hikes or photos... The trip to Grand lake will be an all day trip, with switchback roads and no guard rails and slow speeds...
Alluvial Falls is a short hike to the falls and you can go to it prior to the Chasm falls as you will pass it as you head to the Chasm Falls...
The ridden Valley is also a short hike... I was at the Sheep lake, when according to a ranger that was there, whom is a ranger for the past twelve years, we saw a bull moose the likes of which the ranger said was the biggest moose that they have ever seen...
There are a lot of pull offs to see all the mountains and valleys there so enjoy your trip...
Larry

Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

Thanks for information. I am so looking forward to the experience.