Posted by John Reed on August 11, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Anybody care to offer opinions on this? Planning a visit 2017 for 10-15 days. Hard to get reliable info from Internet searches so figure here's where the experts will be. Summer I fear will be too crowded with wall to wall traffic. Winter, not interested due to so many areas closed or limited access. I think I've gathered Autumn is probably primo but then Spring seems pretty doggone good too and I'd rather go sooner than later. I've never been to the state so I am totally clueless.
BTW - if this is not the correct place to make this query, please direct me to the better forum. I stayed away from the regional mainly due to I expect a wider audience here.
Many thanks,
JR
Posted by Monika Chace on August 12, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Hi, John
Yes, the RMNP thread is pretty much dead since they defected to FB. The Elk rut is in Sept, if that's your interest. The areas where they tend to be in RMNP (the park, not the forum) are closed until sunrise, though, and where exactly they'll be is anybody's guess. Later in the month is better than mid-month.
Posted by John Tobias on August 12, 2016 at 10:16 AM
If your interest is in landscape and wild flower photos summer is better than fall. The Mt. Evans road is only open for a short time around late June until snow forces it to close. Good place for mt. flowers, mt. goats, bristlecone pines. Not a road for the faint of heart, but OK with common sense. Don't need 4 WD. Plan on being in RMNP this Sept. my self. Can give you a better idea how it went after trip. Contact me in October if you want.
Posted by John Neukirch on August 12, 2016 at 2:05 PM
John,
RMNP from mid-September to mid-October for the elk rut is definitely a cool experience. Try to avoid the Estes Elk Fest weekend if possible (Yellowstone like traffic jams). If you prefer Springtime mid to late May can be enjoyable in RMNP although most trails will be anywhere from wet and sloppy to hard and icey. Trail Ridge and Fall River roads won't be open yet but you'd also won't have the crowds of people to deal with. If you're interested in birds then I'd recommend Monte Vista NWR in the south central part of the state. May is also a nice time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes NP.
Discussion
3 repliesBTW - if this is not the correct place to make this query, please direct me to the better forum. I stayed away from the regional mainly due to I expect a wider audience here.
Many thanks,
JR
Yes, the RMNP thread is pretty much dead since they defected to FB. The Elk rut is in Sept, if that's your interest. The areas where they tend to be in RMNP (the park, not the forum) are closed until sunrise, though, and where exactly they'll be is anybody's guess. Later in the month is better than mid-month.
RMNP from mid-September to mid-October for the elk rut is definitely a cool experience. Try to avoid the Estes Elk Fest weekend if possible (Yellowstone like traffic jams). If you prefer Springtime mid to late May can be enjoyable in RMNP although most trails will be anywhere from wet and sloppy to hard and icey. Trail Ridge and Fall River roads won't be open yet but you'd also won't have the crowds of people to deal with. If you're interested in birds then I'd recommend Monte Vista NWR in the south central part of the state. May is also a nice time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes NP.