Construction Update - RMNP August 2017

Hi, Thom .......... boy, just to add to the traffic / elk jams in RMNP!

(We have done CO Springs and Westcliffe and now in Buena Vista - love this area of the state. Leave CO mid Sept)

Thom02099 wrote:
H E R E - RMNP Construction is information for on-going construction projects inside Rocky Mountain National Park for the month of August. Since August is the prime month for them to get these projects underway and completed, there will be traffic inpacts in various areas of the park. Plan your trips accordingly.

Thom,thanks.

We changed our trip plans and will go see the eclipse first, then come to Colorado. Since school will have started there we hope that will cut down, a little, on the crowds during the week.

I'm going to post a new thread with some of the routes the Good Sam trip planner chose for us to see what you and others think.

Frances

Floridafrances wrote:
We changed our trip plans and will go see the eclipse first, then come to Colorado. Since school will have started there we hope that will cut down, a little, on the crowds during the week.

There is a relatively short window between school starting and what is the lunacy of the crowds for the elk rut and aspen changing. Hope for the best but plan for the worst.

True, RedRocket204. Fingers crossed we get lucky.

I notice under your name it says Colorado mountains - Got trail? Hiking or Jeeping? We're interested doing both again on this trip.

Frances

"Got trail" reference is for MTBing, ATVing and hiking (--> fly fishing).

I don't have a Jeep as the money I already spend on my MTBs and ATV is already enough to drive my wife nuts. In CO and Moab I frequently see 100K Jeeps like they're going out of style, just can't justify spending that kind of money fixing broken parts and having many other hobbies too.


The premier areas for OHV in CO are going to be in the southwest corner, Taylor Park and Buena Vista/Salida. TP, BV and Salida are not too far from where you'll be but plan on 4 hours + to get into those areas. There are multiple places to rent OHV vehicles in those areas but I'm not going to tell you it's cheap... cause it's not.

There are very nice hiking trails all over the CO mountains and if out hiking, make sure and pay very close attention to the weather. We have had a very consistent monsoon moisture flow this summer with afternoon lightning storms a lot more frequent than not. That usually indicates an early morning departure for hikes with an ever watching eye on the weather, knowing when to turn back to get to lower elevations and cover.

If you're interested in more specifics, just send me a PM with your questions.

Floridafrances wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:
H E R E - RMNP Construction is information for on-going construction projects inside Rocky Mountain National Park for the month of August. Since August is the prime month for them to get these projects underway and completed, there will be traffic inpacts in various areas of the park. Plan your trips accordingly.

Thom,thanks.

We changed our trip plans and will go see the eclipse first, then come to Colorado. Since school will have started there we hope that will cut down, a little, on the crowds during the week.

I'm going to post a new thread with some of the routes the Good Sam trip planner chose for us to see what you and others think.

Frances

Late August/Early September might be a good time, as most schools here will in fact be back in session, and it's before the fall colours/elk rutting season. Later in September and October will be an absolute madhouse up in the Estes Park/East side for Rocky area, if it's anything close to last season. Attendance records were broken in both months last year.

RedRocket204, thanks for the info.

No 100K Jeep for us. It's my daily driver and is pretty much stock. We're not into the real off-road stuff. Just like to get away from people and take roads - paved, gravel, dirt - that are scenic, or lead to something interesting like a ghost town, great hiking trail, amazing view, wildlife.

Fortunately we like to get out early and we will keep an eye on the weather. Have practice with that living where we do.

I will send you a PM.