NATIONAL PARK TRIP PLANNER

Transcription

1 NATIONAL PARK TRIP PLANNER FOR MORE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIP PLANNING INFO: MyRockyMountainPark.com LIKE US AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/myrockymountainpark GET THE LATEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS ON POST YOUR FAVORITE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PICS ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/myrockymountainpark WATCH ROCKY MOUNTAIN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: Youtube.com/myrockymountainpark START YOUR ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOARD ON PINTEREST: Pinterest.com/natlparktrips Travel Routes Trip Logistics Park Map More Parks Natural Wonders No matter which road you take to Rocky Mountain National Park, we have a great plan for what to see and do along the way. Learn how to get to Rocky Mountain National Park, plus information on gateway towns, weather and the park shuttle. Start planning your adventure with a park map and a guide to the best park activities, including hikes and horseback riding. Extend your Colorado vacation with a trip to the state s other incredible national parks, monuments and state parks. Learn about the park s fascinating wildlife, including bighorn sheep, moose and elk, and find out where to spot them. The Experts in National Park Travel

2 AT THE RIDGELINE RECENTLY REMODELED FULL-SIZE INDOOR HEATED SWIMMING POOL & HOT TUB HIGH-SPEED INTERNET NEW FITNESS CENTER PET-FRIENDLY GAMING AREA WITH POOL TABLE, FOOSBALL, XBOX GAMING FULL-SERVICE CONFERENCE CENTER & BANQUET FACILITIES LATITUDE 105 ALEHOUSE & BAR » RidgelineHotel.com «Estes Park, CO

3 VACATION ITINERARIES Get ready for a trip of a lifetime on our top six routes to Rocky Mountain National Park, including two snow routes. For details go to myrockymountainpark.com. TOP 6 ROAD TRIPS Dinosaurs and Deserts Wildlife and Natural Wonders Cody 14 Best of Colorado Land of Enchantment 120 Idaho Falls Two Snow Routes 26 Lander Laramie Grand Lake Estes Park Glenwood Springs WILDLIFE AND NATURAL WONDERS 133 Delta Colorado National Monument Cripple Creek Miles 1,763 Montrose Great Sand Dunes Park Alamosa National and Preserve Pagosa Springs Taos 25 Santa Fe Phoenix BEST OF COLORADO LOOP Miles 1,130 The ultimate Colorado road trip includes charming mountain towns, hot springs, desert scenery and impressive peaks. Head straight to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver and take Trail Ridge Road west to Grand Lake. Soak in the pools of Hot Sulphur Springs before heading to Winter Park and Dillon. Stop in Glenwood Springs to experience the town s legendary hot springs and adventure park. Continue west to the red-rock landscapes of the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. From there, experience incredible alpine scenery and swaths of agricultural land as you travel through Delta, Montrose and Ouray. Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo., en route to Rocky Mountain National Park. Swing west to raft the Colorado River near Kremmling and then find adventure in Frisco, Stop in Paonia, Delta and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park before exploring the stunning desert landscapes in Colorado National Monument and Arches National Park. Be sure to stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Hit Mesa Verde National Park before visiting Durango and Silverton. Stop by Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and Fairplay. For a unique wildlife experience, drive east from Denver to Keenesburg to visit The Wild Animal Sanctuary, home to more than 450 rescued tigers, lions, wolves and bears. DINOSAURS AND DESERTS Miles 1,365 Go from red-rock canyons to alpine meadows on this loop. Start in Salt Lake City and drive southeast to Vernal, Utah, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado border. Pass through Bison, bears and hot springs await on this tour of the high Rockies. From Denver, go to Rocky Mountain National Park before heading to Cheyenne. Stop by Thermopolis for a soak in a hot spring and then discover the Wild West in Cody. Drive west to Yellowstone National Park to hike and see geyser basins and Abilene wildlife. Just south you ll find Grand Teton National Park and the lively town of Jackson that mixes the Old West with hip boutiques and restaurants. Head through the Wind River Range to Riverton and Lander, continuing to Laramie and then Denver. LAND OF ENCHANTMENT Miles 2,121 Combine Rocky Mountain National Park with New Mexican deserts on this beautiful tour. Start in El Paso, Texas, and cross into Las Cruces, N.M. Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Monument. Farther north Albuquerque and Santa Fe await, as do the ancient ruins in Bandelier National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park. En route, stop in Farmington.Then head to Alamosa and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in the stunning San Luis Valley. Head north to Grand Lake on the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. On your way home, stop by Cripple Creek, Colorado s largest producer of gold, and then drive south to Taos, N.M., a small enchanting town that will capture your heart. TWO SNOW ROUTES Miles Variable Savor the snowy season by choosing between two sides of the park. From Denver, head to Estes Park and the East entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park where you can explore the park by snowshoe. Or head to Rocky Mountain National Park s West Entrance. Downhill ski or go snow tubing in Winter Park or hit the nordic trails at Devil s Thumb Ranch and YMCA s Snow Mountain Ranch. Then drive to the charming town of Grand Lake and explore the park by skis or snowshoes before returning to Denver. MAP BY PETER SUCHESKI

4 TRAVEL LOGISTICS Here s how to reach the park from all directions and get around once you re there. GETTING THERE Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 415 square miles of pristine mountain wilderness in the north-central part of Colorado. It is home to dozens of peaks that soar above 13,000 and even 14,000 feet, the headwaters of the Colorado River, large herds of elk and moose, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, numerous trout-rich streams and lakes and a long stretch of the Continental Divide. These features draw 4 million visitors a year through the park s four entrances (see map on next page). On the east side of the park, the Beaver Meadows station is the most obvious and direct entrance from the gateway town of Estes Park. To reach Estes Park from Boulder (60 minutes), Denver (1.5 hours), and other points south, follow US 36 through Lyons. To reach Estes Park from the north or east, follow US 34 along the Big Thompson River, a spectacular drive through a rugged canyon (this route is closed until June 2017 for construction). From downtown Estes, follow signs and US 36 to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (the best place to get info, books, maps and backcountry permits or to catch the park bus) and main entrance (fee required). Beyond the entrance, follow signs for Trail Ridge Road, Moraine Park (prime elk viewing), campgrounds and other destinations. To avoid the frequent summer and autumn traffic jams at Beaver Meadows, consider the Fall River station as an alternate eastern approach. From Estes Park, drive 5-10 minutes on US 34. Beyond this entrance, it s another 10 minutes into the heart of the park. This is a good shortcut if your ultimate destination is Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake or other points on the west side of the park. A third entrance on the east side is the Wild Basin station, which is approximately 30 minutes south of Estes Park on the Peak-to-Peak Highway. It serves several remote, less-busy trailheads in the southern quadrant of the park below Longs Peak, which itself has a small ranger outpost, campground and parking area. The west side of the park gets fewer cars and campers year-round but is less convenient to Denver. However, if you re coming from the west (Utah, Steamboat Springs, etc.) via I-70 or US 40, this is your best choice for avoiding eastside traffic jams. Head for the town of Granby on US 40, then follow US 34 to the Grand Lake station; there s a permit desk and full bookstore nearby. To learn more about Estes Park and Grand Lake, as well as the park, go to myrockymountainpark.com. TRANSPORTATION Air The closest airports are Denver International Airport, located CHASM LAKE AT SUNRISE hours from Estes Park via US 36 and I-70, and Cheyenne Regional Airport just across the Wyoming border, about 2 hours to the north via US 34 and I-25. Cheyenne offers fewer flights but is a good choice if you re combining a park visit with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Park Shuttle The park s free east side shuttle service runs from May through early October (all dates are snow-dependent). All routes stop at the Park & Ride, a convenient place to leave your car. The Moraine Park Route runs between the Park & Ride and Fern Lake bus stop. The Bear Lake Route runs between the Park & Ride and Bear Lake. Estes Park Hiker Shuttle connects the Estes Park Visitor Center with Beaver Meadows and the Park & Ride. Weather Expect variable conditions. There are two vastly different worlds within the park, each with a distinct climate that requires a separate set of clothes and behavior. The low country around Estes Park offers an extremely pleasant environment for summer hiking and camping, with mild daytime temperatures that usually rise to the 70s or low 80s. On June nights, don t be surprised if water freezes on your picnic table. Until mid-july, summer evenings are cool enough for a hat and jacket. Note that conditions can change rapidly and significantly even in the more protected valleys of the park. Come prepared with good rain gear, fleece, a hat and gloves, even if you don t plan to hike any peaks. And remember that the low country is still 7,500 to 8,500 feet in elevation, much higher than many visitors call home. You will feel better if you drink a lot of water, limit alcohol and fatty foods (both of which inhibit acclimatization) and give yourself a few days to adapt before hiking hard. In the high country, the areas above 10,000 Will it Rain or Snow? Foul weather is possible any time of year in the park. This chart shows data for Estes Park, which sits at 7,522 feet. Subtract three degrees (and expect more snow) every 1,000 feet higher you go. Average High ( F) Average Low ( F) Rain (inches) Snow (inches) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC feet (where treeline generally ends) can feel like winter year-round. Storms sweep in quickly with rain, sleet and even snow. Afternoon thunderstorms that last for 30 minutes, and then clear, are common in summer. The weather is volatile, so prepare for the best and worst by packing long underwear, an extra sweater, a hat and gloves and plenty of sun protection in the form of sunglasses, a visor or broad-brimmed hat and sunblock of SPF

5 N E VER SUMM ER MOUNT AINS Lost Lake M Lulu City U M M Y e in Fall River Entrance Station Fal l Rive r Ro ad LU MP Y R IDGE i iv ld de Holzwarth Historic Site E nt a Timber Creek Campground NG Old C o nt Colorado River Trailhead RA 34 Trail Ridge Road 36 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Estes Park Beaver Meadows Entrance Station 7 FLATTOP MOUNTAIN Bear Lake Trailhead North Inlet Trailhead Grand Lake Entrance Station Longs Peak Campground LONGS PEAK GRAND LAKE 34 Wild Basin Entrance Station Wild Basin 7 LAKE GRANBY Denver Area of Detail COLORADO MAP COURTESY NPS.GOV

6 48 HOURS IN ROCKY Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by visiting some of our favorite spots in the park. CLIMB LONGS PEAK If you are a strong hiker who has trained for a really long day of hiking, head to Longs Peak, the park s tallest mountain at 14,259 feet. Round-trip hikes can take up to 15 hours, so it is important to start your hike really, really early [many will start long before dawn with head lamps] because you ll want to be below treeline when afternoon storms roll in. WATCH THE SUN RISE ON THE PARK S EAST SIDE Wake up early to get to Bear Lake, a 1.1-mile hike around the lake, to catch the sunlight as it rises over Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. Arrive at least 30 minutes before dawn. HIKE GEM LAKE Located near downtown Estes Park, this 3.1-mile roundtrip trail is fun for the family and can be less crowded than other trails, mostly because it s not in the heart of the park. While you ll climb less than 1,000 feet, there are a number of rock steps that lead you to the sparkling shores of Gem Lake. VISIT HOLZWARTH HISTORIC SITE Visit a 1920s-era restored collection of cabins that started in 1920 as Holzwarth s Trout Lodge but evolved into a privately owned dude ranch for 40 years. It s a half-mile stroll to the buildings, located 7.4 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance. PHOTOS BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE (BEAR LAKE), SHUTTERSTOCK (LONGS), DAVID FULMER (HOLZWARTH), KIETH VENT (GEM)

7 SUMMIT DEER MOUNTAIN Hike up Deer Mountain to summit a 10,013- foot peak. It s six miles roundtrip with 1,083 feet elevation gain, making it a good trail for those visiting from sea level. PHOTOS COURTESY ESTES PARK (HORSEBACK), GLORIA WADZINSKI (DEER MOUNTAIN) GRANT ORDELHEIDE (MOOSE, FALL RIVER), AMY NURSE (ADAMS) STOP IN THE FALL RIVER VISITOR CENTER Stop in the Fall River Visitor Center near Estes Park on the park s east side to see exhibits, eat and get tips from rangers. SEE A WATERFALL A stone s throw away from Grand Lake, Adams Falls trail is a.3-mile hike along the East Inlet Trail. If you continue on the trail, you'll find yourself in a large valley with a river and incredible views. GO HORSEBACK RIDING See the park while sitting in a saddle with Sombrero Ranches, which operates the only two stables inside the park at Moraine Park and Glacier Creek. You can choose how many hours you want to ride from 2,3,5,8 and 10-hour trips. WATCH WILDLIFE IN THE KAWUNEECHE VALLEY Moose dwell in this area west of the Continental Divide, making it the best spot to see them. Look for moose along the Colorado River and in the willows.

8 FEES & CAMPING INFORMATION Details on park entrance fees and top park campgrounds ENTRANCE FEES Admission to Rocky Mountain National Park is $20 per private vehicle for a one-day pass and $30 for seven days. An annual pass for the park is $50. The visitor fee for entering by foot or bike is $10/day; motorcycles pay $20/day. People with lifelong disabilities are free with the Access Pass. Planning on visiting more than one park this year? Consider the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80. The Senior Pass costs $10 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 62 and older. Current U.S. military members can get a free Annual Pass. Don t forget fourth-graders and their families can get a complimentary one-year pass. To do so, print out a paper voucher at everykidinapark. gov and present the voucher at a national park entrance station. CAMPING AND PERMITS Three park campgrounds take reservations (Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, and Aspenglen). To reserve a site, call (877) or go to recre- ation.gov. RV campers should note that there are no electrical, water or sewage hookups at sites. Aspenglen Campground Located just west of the Fall River entrance station on US 34 and convenient to Sheep Lakes and Horseshoe Park, this small, 53-site area has three loops (one is tent-only). It opens in late May and closes end of September. Maximum RV length is 30 feet. Restrooms and ice are available. Reservations recommended; $26. Glacier Basin Campground Opens late May; closes mid-september. This 150-site campground on Bear Lake Road has four loops (one is first-come, first-served). Maximum RV length is 35 feet. Reservations recommended; $26. Longs Peak Campground Opens late June; closes early November. The best staging area for hikers and climbers looking to summit Longs Peak, this tent-only, 26-site area is first-come, first-served and almost always full by midday in summer and early fall. Located at 9,500 feet about 30 minutes south of Estes Park on the Peak-to-Peak Highway; $26. Moraine Park Campground The largest and most centrally situated area, this 244-site campground in the summer (77 in winter) borders the Big Thompson River and offers great access to prime wildlife-watching, hiking and fishing. It s open year-round. Horse stables are within walking distance. Maximum RV length is 40 feet. Reservations are recommended; $26 with water on; $18 with water off in winter. Timber Creek Campground Situated on the Colorado River 10 miles inside the park from the Grand Lake entrance, this 98-site campground is in an area with frequent moose sightings. It opens late May and closes early October. It s first-come, first-served; $26. WILDLIFE Your field guide to three popular species in Rocky Mountain National Park ELK BIGHORN SHEEP MOOSE In summer, thousands of elk congregate in the park s meadows to munch on lush grasses. The 800-pound members of the deer family (females weigh up to 600 pounds) are nearly ubiquitous in and around the park, thanks to the eradication in the early 20th century of their primary predators grizzly bears and gray wolves and the protection from hunters that the establishment of the park provided. The best time to see elk is fall when herds congregate for mating season, also known as the rut. Large males guard groups of females, often sparring with younger bachelors in shows of antler-on-antler fury. By day, the Kawuneeche Valley, Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park and Upper Beaver Meadows are good bets to spot them. Like elk, these majestic creatures nearly disappeared from the region in the early 20th century. Hunters chased them for their horns, and ranchers introduced domestic sheep that overtook grazing grounds and spread diseases. Thanks to reintroduction efforts and protection, more than 600 bighorn inhabit the park. Bighorn don t hide in the mountains yearround. As the snows melt in late spring, the sheep descend from the heights of the Mummy Range to replenish fat and mineral stores lost during winter. Large bands head for Horseshoe Park and Sheep Lakes. In fact, their migration is so consistent that the park has a Bighorn Crossing Zone in Horseshoe Park where rangers stop traffic to allow the sheep to cross the road. The largest member of the deer family, these tall (often more than six feet), awkward beasts are among the least-numerous but easiest-to-spot members of the park s wildlife family. Introduced to the area in the late 1970s, the original clan of 12 moose might now exceed 1,000 enough that visitors are almost guaranteed sightings near the Grand Lake entrance. Attracted to succulent grasses in the marshy areas along the Colorado River, moose graze day and night in the open. When you go, scan areas along the river with plentiful willows and aquatic vegetation. Hike the Onahu Trail, look near the Timber Creek Campground and Lulu City areas and ask at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center about recent sightings. PHOTOS BY BEN FULLERTON, GRANT ORDELHEIDE

9 MORE COLORADO PARKS Combine your Rocky Mountain National Park trip with another top Colorado park at these gems Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park At this impossibly sheer, narrow canyon in southwestern Colorado at its thinnest points, the gorge spans just 40 feet at the Gunnison River and 1,100 feet at the rim rock walls plunge as deep as 2,722 feet. Intrepid hikers and rock climbers can venture into the depths on several very steep, unmaintained trails. Other visitors prefer to peer into the chasm from a network of trails lining the north and south rims. Anglers also love the place for its gold-medal water for trout fishing (nps.gov/blca). 2 Colorado National Monument This desert park perched at the western edge of Colorado features rock pillars, juniper-cloaked hills and incredible rock formations. Best known for its vistas from the 23-mile scenic drive or road bike ride on Rim Rock Drive, the park also is a great place to hike, watch wildlife (such as desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and golden eagles), and stargaze (you ll find some of the country s darkest skies here). Fall and spring are ideal times to visit (nps.gov/colm). 3 Dinosaur National Monument The dinosaur bones at this park straddling northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah would be reason enough to stop here. The quarry displays the remains of Allosaurus, Diplodocus and Stegasaurus, among other dinos. But the preserve also has excellent river rafting, hiking and ancient rock art panels (nps.gov/dino). 4 Great Sand Dunes National Park Is this south central Colorado or the Sahara? It s not always easy to tell at this unique park, where the continent s tallest sand dunes join the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountains. Wander, sled or sand-ski among the dunes, or, even better, backpack out to camp in the sand (nps.gov/grsa). 5 Colorado State Parks Find fantastic recreation at all of Colorado s state parks. The closest options to Rocky Mountain National Park include Eldorado Canyon State Park (great for climbing) near Boulder, State Forest State Park (moose and alpine views) in North Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park (Divide views and hiking) in Golden and Lory State Park (trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding) in Fort Collins. Learn more at cpw.state.co.us. PHOTO BY BEN FULLERTON

10 BEST HIKES Get specific trail details at myrockymountainpark.com/which-rmnp-hiking-trail. WHAT DO YOU MOST WANT TO SEE AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN N.P.? The high country above treeline A beautiful mountain lake Elk and moose A peaceful alpine stream How hard do you want to work? East Side or West Side? Isn t the elevation tough enough? I love long, steep trails with plenty of exposure. West East 1. Big Meadows 2. Ute Trail 3. Longs Peak 4. East Inlet 5. Lawn Lake How far do 3 to 4 miles you want to 10 miles hike today? 6. Gem Lake 7. Sky Pond PHOTOS BY BEN FULLERTON

11 2016 Winners! NATIONAL PARKS PHOTO CONTEST presented by R Grand Prize Winner Kate Noll captured this spectacular image of a blacktip reef shark and a great frigatebird while snorkeling in the waters off Hawai i Volcanoes National Park. Kate received a Tamron SP mm Di VC USD a supertelephoto focal length zoom lens ideal for close-up wildlife and nature photography. Our national parks are some of the most stunning places on Earth, with photo ops at every turn. In 2016, we received over 3,000 exceptional images in four categories: landscape, night skies, people and wildlife. Our judges selected the top three images and 56 honorable mentions. To see all the winners visit nationalparktrips.com/photo-contest -usa.com 2nd Runner Up Sandeep Gali s sunrise shot of T.A. Moulton s Barn with the Tetons in the background in Grand Teton National Park evoked a powerful sense of place among our judges. Sandeep received a Tamron SP mm Di VC USD a great choice for medium-to-long telephoto zoom ranges. Runner Up Phill Monson s night skies image of toad stools and lightning in Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument left us in awe. Phill received a mm Di II VC PZD Macro a lens that provides wide-angleto-long-telephoto zoom versatility making it the perfect travel lens Photo Contest Opens Jan. 1, 2017, and runs through Aug. 31, Categories include: landscape, night skies, and wildlife. We re looking for extraordinary images that combine a strong sense of place, great composition and amazing lighting. Images can be of any of the 413 national park destinations throughout the United States. For contest rules and to enter go to nationalparktrips.com/ photo-contest

12