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Old 05-22-2018, 06:10 PM   #1
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Rocky Mt. National Park - Not to be missed

Hello-
Well, finally we've completed all our planned campsites for our first ever visit to RMNP. We visited Colorado in summer of 2016 and toured/camped/hiked/fly fished areas south of I-70 before heading to New Mexico. Though we rarely make advanced reservations, this time we did.

Camping first three nights at Ansel Watrous Campground, Fort Collins which is right on an amazing trout river (so we've heard); plan to explore Ft. Collins and Anheiser Busch or other brewery.

Next six nights at RMNP Morraine CG to leave us plenty of time to explore the park. We have an 18 month old puppy so we know National parks are not dog friendly. So without power hookups, we will be taking her with us most everywhere.

Would greatly appreciate any tips on your favorite RMNP experiences.

Thanks!
FCloud9

BTW: I could only find a RMNP thread from 2013
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Old 05-24-2018, 09:38 PM   #2
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O’Dell brewery in Ft. Collins has a nice little tour and is now employee owned. They make a good variety of beers, it’s a nice spot to visit.

When will you be at RMNP, and how are you at dealing with the altitude? We live in Longmont and often take friends to Rocky. Our recommendations for hikes and activities vary greatly depending on fitness level and ability to deal with the thin air [emoji6]
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Old 05-25-2018, 01:43 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cstein View Post
O’Dell brewery in Ft. Collins has a nice little tour and is now employee owned. They make a good variety of beers, it’s a nice spot to visit.

When will you be at RMNP, and how are you at dealing with the altitude? We live in Longmont and often take friends to Rocky. Our recommendations for hikes and activities vary greatly depending on fitness level and ability to deal with the thin air [emoji6]


Here is our brief itinerary:
Leave PA 5/28
Allowing for leisurely travel I- 70, I-74, I-80 arriving CO 6/5
Altitude adjust plan-
Sidney NB 4800' 6/2 & 6/3
Cheyenne WY 6129' 6/4
Fort Collins CO 5003' Ansel Waltraus NF CG 6/5, 6/6, 6/7
Estes Park CO 7522' Morraine CG 6/8-6/14

Physical fitness and moderately good health at 62 & 67
we regularly walk 2-3 mi per day but by no means are athletes. We usually choose easy to moderate hikes. Our pup at 18 months will be with us camping. Understand many National Parks prohibit dogs on trails. We are planning low level activities during our altitude adjustment period- short hikes, fly fishing and guzzling lots of water while we nap at Ansel Waltraus CG. We last visited CO summer 2016-Durango, Uray areas and only had mild headaches at first. While traveling early March 2015, we both had extreme fatigue and slight headaches in S. UT.
Hope this info helps....thanks for your help!
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Old 05-25-2018, 02:26 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FCloud9 View Post
. . .
BTW: I could only find a RMNP thread from 2013
FYI the new search function in the blue box above works great, and here are the results for "Rocky Mountain National Park" --

https://www.google.com/search?q=rock...=airforums.com

. . . showing other mentions of this park in a variety of threads -- FYI.

Have a great trip!

Peter

PS -- Your "AAP" sounds good IMO.
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Old 05-25-2018, 04:50 AM   #5
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Old Fall River Road is a must!
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Old 05-25-2018, 05:31 AM   #6
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We climbed up to Flat Top (I think that’s what it’s called) up above Bear Lake. Not sure about the puppy rules. It was an excellent hike. We had kids with us in the 7,9,11 range. We still have some pics up from that hike. It’s an out an back hike instead of a loop, but we really enjoyed it. We drink lots of gator aid and take a sudafed in the morning, (Needed or not) for altitude. We’ve never had issues. Oh, and we also hold off on opening a bottle of wine until 2nd evening.
Trail ridge road is a nice drive.
I’ve not taken our dog to a NP, but if they really have a no dog on the trails rule, I’d have to think about weather to take her or not.
The guy that runs the fly shop in Estes Park, seems like a good guy. He gave me some good advice, on where and what to fish with. I bought a bunch of flies from him.
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:32 AM   #7
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Quote:
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Old Fall River Road is a must!


GettinAway- we rarely travel states side without or canine companion except Kauai. [emoji190][emoji4] RMNP, like most NP are not dog friendly but we manage okay planning around the rules & regs. Estes Park noted a dog park with lake access and RMNP allows dogs wherever cars go.....so we're good!

Mailnos- do you know if NP limits the number of cars on Old Fall River Road? We don't mind traveling 15 mpg for 11 mi on a gravel road but if it's bumper to bumper crawling along....not sure if we would enjoy.

Peter- thanks for the link....my prior search did not produce the same results....been using "Ecosia" last few months as I tire of Google ads, etc.

cstein - thanks for local brewery suggestion, and recommendations for favorite "local eats", any farmer markets in June?
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:47 AM   #8
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We just got back from Estes Park. We stayed at the Elk Meadows RV Park in Estes. It was clean and dog friendly. Very few trees. But centrally located to RMNP. Hwy 34 out of Ft. Collins was closed. Hwy 36 out of Lyons had some construction. We took Hwy 7. No traffic and very drivable. Good luck, Bubba
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:48 AM   #9
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Hiked Mt Ida with the family when we were there last July. It was awesome if you like hiking in the alpine zone.

This place is great food:

https://www.smokindavesbbq.com/
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Old 05-25-2018, 02:19 PM   #10
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Does anyone know if we should anticipate any problems with the Airstream propane and generator running smoothly at high altitudes. I seem to remember something from the forum when we traveled above 8K feet last time in 2016. We did not have any issues but just want go be sure we are ready for any potential issues.
Thanks!
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Old 05-25-2018, 02:23 PM   #11
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I live at 8000' in Yellowstone all summer and everything works fine.
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:36 PM   #12
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Yep, RMNP is a beauty. But the crowds are not. I personally will search for similar experiences in places other than national parks. Our beagle is most unwelcome at the national parks. In the truck, or in the parking lot and that's it. And the parking lots are full so you won't be seeing that attraction or parking at that trail head. I had to wait 10 minutes to use a dirty restroom. And this was in September after the summer peak.

There are many, many beautiful places in Colorado to experience the Rockies. I travel in the Airstream to get away from it all. RMNP isn't the best just because so many people go there.

Just be mentally prepared...

David
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Old 05-25-2018, 07:51 PM   #13
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HI David,
I hear you regarding crowds but we missed RMNP in 2016 but really enjoyed Colorado's "lower two thirds". Many years ago, we tent camped in Grand Tetons, Medicine Box and Yellowstone and not really interested in going back due to crowds everywhere. But, we are prepared with realistic expectations. RMNP is not our main goal this summer but on the way to other much less crowded destinations. We at the point in our lives where we can enjoy the journey.
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Old 05-25-2018, 09:31 PM   #14
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FYI, Highway 34 from Loveland to Estes Park opened a couple of days ago. All restored, good to go. Enjoy your stay in Colorado!
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Old 05-26-2018, 06:07 AM   #15
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Our Honda ran fine in RMNP, but I have the high altitude jet in the carburetor. We didn’t need it much. I think I ran it twice for a hour or so each time.
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Old 05-26-2018, 09:29 AM   #16
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We'll be at Moraine Park 6/8- 6/12. Perhaps we'll see you running around. Site B180.

Pat
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Old 05-26-2018, 09:41 AM   #17
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I just came back from RMNP.
Great community campground in Lyons.
You will need to make reservations.
Very Pretty.
Don’t miss seeing the park on bicycle.
New Venture bike tours supplies everything you need. Plus a picnic lunch.
Do north for canyon tour as a warm up.
Then do the ride down from summit.
On your second day.
World class adventure and cheap!
Tom
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Old 05-26-2018, 10:14 AM   #18
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Rocky Mt. National Park - Not to be missed

Old Fall River road doesn’t open til the end of June, but Trail Ridge road is open.
You can take the shuttle up to Bear Lake and hike down 4 miles back to the shuttle parking area. It’s a good first hike to get altitude acclimated and usually not crowded.
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Old 05-26-2018, 08:11 PM   #19
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Okay, I didn't know your full schedule. You definitely will get to experience the Colorado Rocky Mountains on your trip.

Here we are camped in a little county park not far from where we live. Our morning walks with the grandkids were beautiful. Enjoy and travel safe.

David
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Old 05-28-2018, 05:51 PM   #20
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We'll be at Moraine Park 6/8- 6/12. Perhaps we'll see you running around. Site B180.

Pat


OMG.. we’ve never met anyone that we communicated with on Airforum! We at site B185 first two nights & then move to A11 for next four. We’ll be so close we’re bound to bump into each other.
Hopefully, our pup will calm down by then. She’s only 18 mos. and was so excited when she woke up this morning knowing today was our launch day.
Please do stop by one of our sites!
See you in RMNP,
Sharon, Nick and Teddy GingerBear
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