wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

By the way, received some local on-line news; "Colorado Moose Charges Woman for Getting Too Close to Calf".
https://mix1043fm.com/evergreen-colorado-moose-charges-woman/?isFollow=0&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
The following is from the park service: "Rocky Mountain National Park recommends staying at least 75 feet away from elk and at least 120 feet away from moose." If you are in a car, you are fairly well protected unless the elk are mating / bugling in the fall (bulls have attacked cars and trucks and put holes in them).

But most of the time the wildlife just ignores the tourists and photographers. So just enjoy the shooting what appears before your camera.

317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In

I’ve never had a problem with TSA ; I carry camera and lenses in a backpack with clothes wrapped around them. Had a 200-400 in the bag last month. I haven’t had to open the backpack for the last 5 trips.

Robg

I don't have any camera advice that relates to you as I use a bridge camera.

However, I've been spending my summers near Estes Park since the 1960's and may have some useful information.

Someone else has already pointed out that you need a timed entry permit for your car. This is different that an entrance ticked, which you will also need to purchase either online or when you enter the park for the first time. The timed entry permits are of two varieties: all areas including Bear Lake, and all areas but excluding Bear Lake. Bear Lake is one of the most scenic parts of the park with lots of hiking options and is therefore in high demand. Each entry permit will cost you $2. The entry is timed, but once you are in the park you can stay all day. Approximately 1/2 of the entry permits go on sale on the first of the month, preceding the month for which they are to be used. In other words, on July 1 you can purchase entry permits for the entire month of August. If you are going to be there in August, I strongly urge you to get the permits on July 1. (Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this, because you and I will be competing for the August permits!) The other approximate 1/2 of entry permits go on sale the day before. In other words, permits for July 10 will go on sale on July 9. They will be gone in minutes.

Here is a link to the timed entry website: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910

Even though entry permits are timed, expect long lines to get into the park, unless you are really early in the AM.

Let me second the recommendation that someone else made to drive the loop that takes you up to Trail Ridge via Old Fall River Road. It is one lane, one way, gravel with a 15 MPH speed limit. You'll probably go slower than that. It meets Trail Ridge at the Alpine Visitors center. Once there you can continue west on Trail Ridge to the Continental Divide or beyond, or you can go east on Trail Ridge back to Estes.

Before you get onto Old Fall River Road I recommend a stop at the Alluvial Fan. Once on Old Fall River Road there are some interesting falls and trail heads.

Fall River Road is the only place in the park where I have seen big horn sheep up close. They were only a few feet away from the car on the mountain side. Don't count on it though as that was my once in a lifetime viewing. You will probably see marmots. Elk sightings are also common. Sometimes you may find yourself waiting while a large herd ambles across Trail Ridge. From my experience, bear sightings are more common than big horn sheep, but also rare.

If you are in shape for it, you should hike up the tundra trail from the Alpine Visitor center, or a very similar trail from the Rock Cut pullout. The latter will be on your left on the way back to Estes from the Alpine Visitor center. Both trails are paved but steep with lots of stair steps and go through the tundra for about a mile, with fabulous views in all directions. You'll be hiking at about 11,000 feet, so plan to pace yourself.

If you are in shape for hikes that are longer than a mile or so, here are some other recommendations: Longs Peak (extremely strenuous, and you need to start your hike at around 4-5 AM with a headlamp, and don't attempt if you have a fear of heights), Chasm Lake (also from the Longs Peak trailhead along highway 7 that runs south from Estes), Twin Sisters (again along highway 7), Lily Lake (across the road from Twin Sisters trail head along highway 7, level, wheel chair accessible, about a mile around the lake) any of the hikes from Bear Lake, but especially Flattop Mountain, the Ute Trail from Trail Ridge road (you can hike this one-way down if you can arrange for pickup when you get down). I'll add the standard warning here. Thunderstorms are very common and can materialize in a manner of minutes in the afternoon due to the way that the jet stream and prevailing winds carry humid air across the mountain peaks. It seems to me that almost every summer a few people get hit by lightning and deaths are not uncommon.

One final comment. Another fabulous high altitude drive, somewhat similar to Trail Ridge, is the road up Mount Evans. Somewhat south of I70, It is probably closer to Denver than to Estes, but you can get to the entry in about 90 minutes from Estes. It is the highest paved road in the US. I've seen mountain goats up there. The views, again, are fantastic. It may also have entry restrictions, so check in advance.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Some modifications or additions to some of the info in the above post.

Big horn sheep can be frequently spotted in Horseshoe Park. About a quarter mile east of the Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road intersection there are some ponds in the valley meadow, below and to the left of the road. Big horns come down to those ponds to eat the mineralized mud in and around them. Also, if you continue on Trail Ridge Road beyond the Fall River intersection you will be driving up a ridge. Find a place alongside the road to stop (there is also a viewing spot near the top of the ridge). Stop and look back at the mountain to the east and north of the intersection and search that mountain with binoculars. Sheep can frequently be seen on it, which is named Big Horn Mountain. There are no guarantees about spotting sheep but your chances are better in these areas.

Also, if you drive up Fall River Road you might see a sign on the left near the bottom, but above the Alluvial Fan. The sign identifies the site of some old convict canyons that were in the West Horseshoe Park before the road starts to climb. The cabins are no longer there so don't look for them. Look up to the right of the road and scan the meadows in the aspens and occasionally you might spot sheep there. The valley to the left of the road is filled with elk in the fall but you still might some in the trees if you look carefully. Mornings and evenings, of course, are the best wildlife viewing times.


A very good hike from Bear Lake goes up to Dream and Emerald Lakes. It is a pretty easy trail and it is two miles to the upper lake. The views are up close and spectacular, but the trail is pretty crowded. You could easily fill a small SD card on that hike.

If you are going to do any hiking it would be a good idea to download maps from AllTrails and save them on your phone. Your phone's GPS interacts with the maps and you can follow or plan your routes etc, so you do not need your phone to be connected. These are topo maps so elevations are evident. You wouldn't need a map to places like Dream Lake but for any backcountry areas a map is useful---and comforting. The trails are all well marked but maps come in handy for identifying items of interest.

The road up Mount Evans above Summit Lake is usually peppered with sheep and mountain goats---especially near the top. Don't go there unless you are certain that you can get in. It would be a big disappointment if you can't get in. Its a long, but very pretty, drive from Estes Park on the Peak to Peak Highway.

Enjoy your trip and be sure to get a picture of the little beaver climbing upon Long's Peak. Most people miss this because they aren't aware of it. Some of the best views of it are from the Beaver Meadows Road looking south to Long's Pk. Google it for details and there may be explanations of it and the Indians who were in the area.

Robg

All good suggestions from another aficionado of the area!

One more suggestion, but check with the CO highway department before you go (https://www.codot.gov/projects/co7-lyons-to-raymond). If you are coming to Estes from the east (Boulder/Longmont/Denver) then take the slightly longer route from Lyons to Estes Park. Just as you finish going through the village of Lyons, turn left on highway 7 to Allenspark. It is well signed.

This year I make this recommendation with some reservations because highway 7 is undergoing major construction repairs, hence the suggestion to check the above referenced website.

This route will take you through the Saint Vrain Canyon, probably the most dramatic canyon in the area, with steep sculpted sides and interesting rock formations. Look for "Barking Dog". After you pass through Allenspark you will also have the opportunity to get familiar with other parts of RMNP, including the Wild Basin entrance and dramatic views of Longs Peak and its sheer 900 foot rock face (known as the Diamond) on the eastern side. The Longs Peak trailhead, Lily Lake and the Twin Sisters trailheads that I mentioned in my previous post are all along this route. If you are interested in seeing or purchasing authentic Indian artifacts (jewelry, pottery, fetishes) stop at Eagle Plume's, on your right between Allenspark and Estes Park. It is a store that doubles as a museum. I first went there in the middle '60s when Eagle Plume himself was still alive, always ready with an interesting story.

Erp1938

Erp1938

Thank You soooo much, will enjoy all the info looking forward to our trip.

lbarnett25 Loc: Baldwinsville, NY

Was there a month ago. You should be fine.