Route to Estes Park, CO

2stepn wrote:
I be heading to Rocky MT NP in mid September. I'll be coming in from eastern Co.. There seems to be a couple of hwy's to Estes Park, any recommendations as to the best route?

Just got back from Estes Park and RMNP just a few hours ago. US 34 is, for all intents and purposes, restored to the way it was prior to the flood. There are spots where there are concrete barriers along the river side of the roadway, but there's no significant narrowing of the roadway. There was also no construction going on either, as most of the work on US 34 has been completed, and the work has shifted to the river bed/banks and the Glen Haven Rd, which is still like driving in a 3rd world country.

US 36 is still under construction and there are detour signs suggesting that one should take the S St Vrain Canyon Rd (CO 7), up to where it heads into Estes Park from the Ferncliffe/Allenspark area. Last time I was through on US 36 (not this trip), there were several 30 minute delays and a couple of stretches of 1 to 2.5 miles where traffic was one lane and you have to follow a pilot car through the construction. The roadway is not conducive to RV/Trailer travel. I would suggest going to Loveland and taking US 34 up through the Big Thompson Canyon.

ETA: Checked the CDOT website, says there's still construction going on through September, EB/WB US 36 between Lyons and Estes Park (MM 4 to MM 20), Mon-Thu 5am-9pm and Fri until 3pm, 15-30min delays for grading and paving. That would indicate that the blasting part of the construction project has been completed. Presumably no construction on the weekends, but the road is still difficult at best for RV/Trailer travel.

Thanks for the info.

All things being equal, 34 from Loveland is the most scenic. That ride through Big Thompson Canyon is absolutely spectacular. The CDOT website shows there's still construction on Hwy 36 for another month or so. Hwy 34 looks to be good.

al

When living there I have always recommended Hwy 34 up from Loveland. But it really depends on the status of all the roads coming into town since the last weather destruction.

My understanding - from what I have read and info from friends - is that Hwy 34 itself is all re-built to solid asphalt but the edges in some spots are still kinda iffy.

The other option is Hwy 36 thru Boulder or over on the 66 to Lyons and the 36 up. But there was major damage along that way as well and not sure of the status.

Best check it all out with CO DOT.