Leadville, CO to Rocky Mtn NP
After exploring much of CO south of I70, we plan to head to RMNP from the Leadville area. (summer of 2015). A few questions: (1) any advantage to staying on the west side of the park? If so, route t...
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We really like the town of Grand Lake. It's like Estes Park was 40 or 50 years ago. BUT, the beetle kill around Grand Lake and south toward Granby has really changed the scenery. We rarely go to that area any more, except to pass through on the way to Loveland. As noted, the hiking on the east side is better for the casual user, as it's a long hike up to timberline on the west side. Estes can be a real zoo during the middle of the summer, but with planning you can avoid the worst of the crowds.
If you do decide to stay in Estes, the Peak to Peak highway is the way to go. When you leave Estes, you can head over Trail Ridge Road and on to US 40. But if you have the time, another option is to head back to Loveland, head north on US 287, and go up the Poudre Canyon on CO 14, over Cameron Pass and back to US 40 that way. The Poudre Canyon is longer but a beautiful drive and you avoid Trail Ridge. If you want to overnight, there are a variety of NFS CG's in the canyon on up to the pass. Just don't try to get a spot on a Friday.
Either way you go, you eventually get to Rabbit Ears Pass and then down to Steamboat Springs. Once past there, the drive is easy through fields along the Yampa River and then into dried hills on the way to Dinosaur. While a pretty drive, there's not much in the way of specific destinations along the way.
If you do decide to stay in Estes, the Peak to Peak highway is the way to go. When you leave Estes, you can head over Trail Ridge Road and on to US 40. But if you have the time, another option is to head back to Loveland, head north on US 287, and go up the Poudre Canyon on CO 14, over Cameron Pass and back to US 40 that way. The Poudre Canyon is longer but a beautiful drive and you avoid Trail Ridge. If you want to overnight, there are a variety of NFS CG's in the canyon on up to the pass. Just don't try to get a spot on a Friday.
Either way you go, you eventually get to Rabbit Ears Pass and then down to Steamboat Springs. Once past there, the drive is easy through fields along the Yampa River and then into dried hills on the way to Dinosaur. While a pretty drive, there's not much in the way of specific destinations along the way.
