Headed to Rocky Moutains

Great info, Thom02099!

FFWIFE50 wrote:
Thanks, we will be arriving on a Fri/Sat and hope to stay at Moraine, if they are full what else is still open this time of year?

I was just up in Estes Park last week, it's not all that crowded during the week. Moraine Park was closed for a construction project, but was slated to reopen yesterday (Thursday-10/09). Might want to give them a call to make sure they are open again -- 970-586-1206 -- will get you through to a Ranger. They will also be able to tell you whether all the loops are open, or if just "B" loop is, which is first come/first served. Also whether the water has been shut off yet for the season.

Weather has been fine up there until yesterday when the snow level dropped below 8000ft and Trail Ridge Rd was closed. This weekend and into next week are "iffy" weatherwise down in the flats, so probably more so up in Rocky. Rangers will also be able to tell you about Trail Ridge. A bit too early for it to close for the season, but it could happen depending on how much snow they got.

Alternatives? Not much in Estes Park this late in the season. Mary's Lake closes on the 12th, I think Elk Meadow is still open til the end of the month, Spruce Lake may be as well. Of the two, I recommend Elk Meadow, simply because it has some pull thrus and doesn't feel as crowded. You can reach them at 970.586.5342.

ETA: RMNP was busiest a couple weekends ago when they had the Free Saturday...now THAT was a zoo, and held over on Sunday. During the free weekend, Moraine Park was packed, Upper Beaver Meadows, not so much. And yes, good Elk viewing in downtown Estes Park, by the golf course, as well as by the Stanley Hotel.

Thanks, we will be arriving on a Fri/Sat and hope to stay at Moraine, if they are full what else is still open this time of year?

I guess things have gotten worse over the last 15 years. We lived in CO from 1991-2000. My wife got her PhD in Ecology (animal behavior) from CU Boulder, so we used to take her class up to RMP every fall as part of her syllabus.

We lived in EP for 31 years and I worked in accommodations. So, I know a "bit" about the fall elk rut and crowds. The crowds are insane in Rocky during late September when people go to EP to look at the fall colors and watch the elk. On the weekends the elk jams are as bad as big city traffic.

The crowds thin some after the aspen loose their leaves which they have for the most part. As long as the weather holds, weekends are still busy but not as insane. When you are planning to be there weekday crowds and traffic are not bad at all. That time of year weekday visitors are the newly wed and nearly dead.

The elk will still be in full "song." This will sound nuts, but the best place to watch elk is on the nine hole golf course right in town. Moraine Park is a great place to camp and watch wildlife.

intheburbs wrote:
Rocky Mountain Park is packed this time of the year for the elk rut. You'll see hundreds of them, but there will also be a lot of people, too.

Trust me the people will outnumber the Elk by a 100-1. Reminds me of going to an NFL game with out the Stadium - just TOO many people. The Elk make themselves scarce, if not protected, (no hunting in a National Park) but there are a lot of other spots to see them and other wildlife in Colorado.

Coming from the Grand Canyon I would bump around in the San Juan's till the SNOW chased me out - just a beautiful time of year.

BOL,

Rocky Mountain Park is packed this time of the year for the elk rut. You'll see hundreds of them, but there will also be a lot of people, too.