If you are planning to escape into some real adventurous hiking destination post-pandemic, then the list suggests the 415 square miles (1,075 square km) long-drawn-out Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado which is also a gateway to the Estes Park. Recognized in 1915 and named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976, the spring season swathes this beautiful mountain with blooming flora and the winters envelop it with snow. So before you are ready to pack your bags for this road trip to the mountains, we will guide you to explore this destination lock, stock and barrel.
1. AREA ALERTS
Before planning for Rocky Mountain National Park tour, do verify with all the closures, registrations, permits and road blockages for a hurdle-free travel in post-Covid-19 condition.
2. PARK SMART
When Parking areas are chock-a-block, certain places restrict parking like the Bear Lake Road corridor, the Wild Basin area or the Alpine Visitor Center. So before you start your adventure in the Rocky Mountain National Park tour, do park your vehicle in a proper place.
3. TIDY TIMING
Rocky Mountain National Park is the third most visited destination in the country. Though post-Covid travels may decrease a tad, but you always need to plan your crowd -free travel timing if you want it that way. If you plan for hiking, it is better to plan either early before 9 a.m. or late after 3 p.m. to avoid overcrowding.
4. BE WEATHER-READY
Weather in the mountains has been always unpredictable, ranging from temperature of 20-30 degree centigrade to a sudden storm and rainfall. Keep an eye on the cloud formations and always carry warm clothes and raincoats.
5. HOW TO REACH?
Behind Denver and Boulder lies this majestic Rocky Mountain National Park. Mostly people fly to Denver and then rent a car or opt for a daily shuttle to reach Estes Park from the airport. Other than this, the park also has free shuttle buses from Estes Park Visitor Center to the famous trailheads like Glacier Basin and Bear Lake. However, Estes Park Guided Tours help the visitors to plan it all.
6. PICK A SEASON
Generally, winters have snow clad roads, but if the weather is not much a concern and you want to enjoy the skiing and Snowshoeing playgrounds, you can definitely visit this spectacular destination. Trail Ridge Road shuts from October to May due to snow, but you can opt for several other park side-streets like Old Fall River Road and some portions of Trail Ridge Roads. The spring season is full of blooming flowers and warmer having a temperature of 50 to 60 degree centigrade. Wildlife is more visible at this time. They open the main Trail Ridge Road during summers and June is an active month for Rocky Mountain National Park. There are snows left in the elevations. Though the temperature is high, but witnessing thunderstorm or snow storm is not infrequent. The roads open with very occasional snowstorms during the autumn. Temperatures are mild to high during this season.
7. LODGING AT-EASE
If you want to stay and enjoy the nature at its best, you can choose Campgrounds bringing your own tents that cost around $30 per night. You should plan and book your camps six months prior if you desire to go camping in Glacier Basin Campgrounds, Aspenglen, Moraine Park Campground and others. Hotels with historical eminence are the Stanley Hotel, tinted with Colonial records and The Baldpate Inn well-known and named upon the play and films ‘Seven Keys to Baldpate’ by Earl Derr Biggers. There are some other Hotels near Estes Park as well that Estes Park Guided Tours can refer. If you want some homely place, you can rent a cabin or a house that can range from $150 to $350 per night.
8. HIKING BASICS
Places like Emerald Lake Trail, the Andrews Glacier, Alberta Falls and others will make your expedition remarkable. Make sure to carry your winter hiking boots, trekking poles, tents if required and technical tools if you want to climb to the top of the glacier. With a lake, waterfall and summit trails, the park occupies nearly 480 kms of hiking pathway The hiking can vary from the 1 km Bear Lake loop which is a flat interpretive nature trail to Trail Ridge Road that rises up to an elevation of 12,000 feet. Efficient climbers can opt for Peak Bagging also in the lofty peaks or decide on encampment in the foothills.
9. ROCK-CLIMBING
Climbing enormous cliffs or high altitude can also be adventurous in Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can experience a little of everything like jugs, cracks, short scramble to the peak and corners. Other than Blitzen Ridge on 13,514-foot Ypsilon Mountain, Chaos Canyon near Emerald Lake at 10,000 feet, Glacier Gorge area or the northern ridge of Spearhead, there are 500 established climbs in this area.
10. ROAD CYCLING
If you are a cyclist and you have a real adventure dream to cycle 4,000 feet from Estes Park to the summit, with 11 miles cutting above the tree line, here is an opportunity for you. 48 miles stretched Trail Ridge Road connecting Estes Park with Grand Lake, is also an option. There are lots more options open for the cyclists to explore.
11. SIGHTING WILDLIFE
Other than a huge elk population dominating the Rocky Mountain National Park, you can spot bighorn sheep, moose, pikas and marmots. If you are lucky enough, you can witness black bears that usually stay away from human beings.
12. VISITING VISITOR’S CENTER
There are lots of visitor’s centers with many entertaining and informative activities. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Alpine Visitor Center, the Wilderness Office, the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Kawuneeche, Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and the Alpine Visitor Center are some of them you can visit.
13. RANGER-LED EXPEDITION
If you want to gain information about the place and its flora, fauna and about the park, getting a ranger-led program for yourself in summers shall be a fine opportunity.
14. FESTIVALS OF FUN
There are many festivals to dance, sing and drink in the area hosted by Estes Park. However, it’s creditable to point out the merriment of Autumn Gold Festival and the Elk Fest in the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
15. RAPTUROUS RIVER-RAFTING
For enjoying water adventure, you can opt for the La Poudre River Canyon and Colorado River. If you are professional you can rent your raft from Rancho del Rio and equipments from the Soggy Dollar Shop or take a rafting guide.
16. GO FISHING
Rocky Mountain National Park allows fishing, but retaining the ecological balance by following certain regulations like each person can use only one hand-held rod or line, only artificial lures with one hook with common shall be used, worms for fishing is not allowed, etcetera. Few water areas are prohibited from fishing.
The bonus guideline to all of these is, do not forget your best lens camera for the trip. Do not miss this exploration and enjoy at your best. Estes Park Guided Tours helps you to exactly plan you the best tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
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