Estes Park.

[Justaguy]

Ut has been a while since we have been to Estes Park. I remember there were a couple of ways in. One was no steep drop offs and the other had steep drop offs with lots of curves. (Wife does not like the drop offs.) Is the route in from Loveland the one without the hairpin curves and super bad heights? Thanks!!

[Thom02099]

RedRocket204 wrote:

Justaguy wrote:
...the other had steep drop offs with lots of curves. (Wife does not like the drop offs.)

Most likely what you are remembering is the Peak to Peak Hwy. The Peak to Peak Hwy (Hwy 7 south out of Estes Park) is the 3rd real option of getting into Estes Park that doesn't include RMNP. Although it is not as convinient to go from Denver into Estes via the Peak to Peak, it is by far a MUCH more scenic drive. But for those who do not like heights it should probably be avoided.

Could this have been coming in from the west? Sure sounds like you may have taken Trail Ridge Road from Grand Lake up and over Rocky to Estes Park. TRR is known for it's steep drop offs, no guardrails, lots of curves, and 11 miles above tree line.

[Thom02099]

US 34 reopened this past Memorial Day weekend (2018) after a 2 year rebuilding project that closed the road for the past 2 winters. This due to the flood of '13. There have been several new rock cuts to straighten out the roadway, and more 3 lane sections have been added for passing. The bulk of this construction has been in the area between the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon and Drake. The Narrows near the beginning of the trip up from Loveland, is quite twisty, but everyone is going slow anyway so it's not a problem. There's still on-going construction but most of it is along the river and in areas that minimally impact traffic. But do watch for construction trucks turning on/off US 34.

US 36 was also rebuilt, prior to US 34, also due to the '13 flood. The Town of Lyons was particularly hard hit, along with the lower portions of the canyon NW of Lyons. Like US 34, there are new rock cuts on US 36 where the roadway has been raised up and away from the river. Once past Pinewood Springs, there was not as much significant damage from the flood. As others have pointed out, this is an easy drive up, there's minimal "twisties" and no drops offs to speak of.

CO 72/CO 7, the Peak to Peak Highway from Nederland to Estes Park is a wonderfully scenic route. But it is in the mountains, so there will be curves...lots of curves, and some ups and downs. If time permits, taking a breather at Brainard Lake is well worth stopping for a few hours. Brainard Lake road has recently reopened after a reconstruction project, where the lower 2.5 miles were completely rebuilt.

The worst part about the Peak to Peak is the approach coming in to Estes Park, which is a rather long 7-8 mile downhill, and there are some drop off areas there. And the road surface is seriously bad from the Boulder/Larimer line to the EP town limits.

[RedRocket204]

Justaguy wrote:
...the other had steep drop offs with lots of curves. (Wife does not like the drop offs.)

Most likely what you are remembering is the Peak to Peak Hwy. The Peak to Peak Hwy (Hwy 7 south out of Estes Park) is the 3rd real option of getting into Estes Park that doesn't include RMNP. Although it is not as convinient to go from Denver into Estes via the Peak to Peak, it is by far a MUCH more scenic drive. But for those who do not like heights it should probably be avoided.

[JAC1982]

My husband is the same way about steep drop offs and while we weren't towing, we drove our truck up there on 36 and it was a nice pretty easy drive both up and down.

You can avoid going through Boulder on 36 if you cut up to Longmont (not sure where you're coming from, but assuming from the South) and take Highway 66 across that way. You can get on 66 from I-25. As mentioned, there's some lights, but nothing hard and I'd do that way all day versus going through Boulder. I hate driving in Boulder even in a car haha!

[BarneyS]

Moved to Roads and Routes forum from 5th wheels.

[stro1965]

I was just out there and we took 34 through Loveland. Very nice road, pretty drive. The 90 degree turn in town is something to watch for though!

[GBuilders]

I like US 36 out of Lyons. Take the route that Jim
suggested. Going through Boulder takes a while because of the lights and traffic towing a trailer or motorhome.

[evanrem]

We did the Lyons route in and out a few weeks back and there was some mountain driving nothing to crazy bad. Talking to some folks in the area they all recommended that route. They did mention the Loveland route was totally redone.

[FlatBroke]

Hyway 34 from Loveland to Estes Park has had a rebuild and just finished this year. Haven’t been through this year but heard it’s a great improvement.

[RollandB]

We did Hwy 34 three years ago leaving Estes Park, I agree, no steep drop offs but curvy. A very scenic drive!

If you someone has time Google Hwy 34 flood and watch some videos of the devastation they had about 5 years ago.

[JTrac]

US34 out of Loveland is the one with the curves but I don't think the drop offs are bad. US36 thru Lyons is easier. We spend a month in EP every year and the best route for us is to take Colorado 66 off I25 and pick up US36 in Lyons. Taking 36 out of Denver takes you thru Boulder. Lots of stop lights. Colorado 66 has some lights but they are strung out with higher speed limits.