Rocky Mountain Nat Park

evanrem wrote:

Going to Colorado for two weeks this summer and

wondering if we should hit Rocky Mountain Nat park

IMHO you should at least drive through a see if it is anything like you thought it might be. Is Crowded but that’s because, like YNP it is POPULAR and GOOD. Like Yogi said “nobody goes there anymore it’s too crowded”. Lots of hikes that can be done with little or no crowds,(just get up and out early) Estes is Crowded Grand Lake not so much, we tend to stay in Grand Lake and in season will just drive through Estes. I, like you do not DO Crowds.

One more option would be to head up around Steamboat Springs – but, it, like Vail, is even pretty crowded in the Summer. Vail has a lacrosse tournament that is around the 4th of July and is now so crowded we no longer get even close then. Minturn to Red Cliff to Leadville on Rt 24 is Great so you might enjoy that if you are in the area, Then on to Buena Vista – Turquoise Lake – Twin Lakes – Arkansas’s River – Collegiates – Independence Pass (length restricted Rt 82) to Maroon Bells in the Toad/TV. I would suggest you might just find your sort of Heaven in Lake City – not crowded and just Beautiful. Ouray – Silverton - 4x4 trails to Die for - Telluride – Trout Lake – Dunton. Could make a run up toward Maroon Bells from this side and catch Marble and Redstone on Rt 133, then out to Moab on I-70

or just stay in the national forest around Vail and explore that area.

See above^^^

We will be continuing on to Arches NP.

If you go to Arches off I-70 I suggest that you jump off on Exit 214 in Utah to catch Rt 128 and follow the Colorado River into Moab, You will LOVE the Drive.

Is the Scenery and things to explore much different?

YES – It would take days to Explain.

Last year we went to Yellowstone and I had it with the crowds by the 4th day and

I hear RMNP is pretty busy also.

Yes! You are Correct!

Any input would be appreciated and maybe

some ideas on other things to see.

Tried to cover that above ^^^

We will be traveling with a 34ft TT.
Thanks

Tried to work up a map but I guess I just have too much to map out – If Vail is already on your Plan I would wonder where you will stay (Not a lot to camp in) The Leadville loop past Lake City and Ouray then on to Moab might work – lots to see and do all different and challenging/fun/exciting.

Just to name drop a few things Peak to Peak Hwy – Golden - Coors – Quincy’s – K’s – Lake City to Silverton on the Alpine Loop/4x4 trail – Train Ride – Hot Tubs - ……………………………

Think you might Like Colorado.

Hope this is of some help,