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RMNP late October
Dear all,
We have a trip flying into DEN the very last week of October to early November (Arriving at at 11:50pm on October 28 and flying out on November 5). We would very like to go to RMNP and drive through the Trail Ridge Road. I very much aware that it could be closed by the time we got to DEN but it's still more than a month ahead and I know no one knows whether it will still be open by then (which is a bit problematic in planning the trip and booking hotels etc.). I'm wondering how long in advance NPS will announce the closure? So far I have planned to get there ASAP (staying 1 night at Loveland/Greely and then 1 night in Estes Park). We are thinking about staying a couple of nights in Breckenridge Marriott after going through TRR and stayed a night in Winter Park, and then spend a couple of nights in Colorado Springs. We will skip Denver because we are flying there to see the Rocky Mountain/nature. Any suggestions are welcome and thanks a lot in advance! |
prior dates of closing for trail ridge road:
November18, 2016 October 29, 2015 November 4, 2014 October 22, 2013 October 17, 2012 October 27, 2011 October 29, 2010 October 21, 2009 November 6, 2008 October 22, 2007 October 23, 2006 I would expect it to be closed at the time of your visit. The lower part of the park in the valleys should still open to drive through and see. A snow storm could cause temporary closure for snow clearing. |
I agree, it's possible it will be open, but I would bet on it being closed by then.
If you have a Facebook account, like the RMNP page. They're very good about providing the latest updates when conditions are questionable. |
Originally Posted by Lost
(Post 28839068)
I agree, it's possible it will be open, but I would bet on it being closed by then.
If you have a Facebook account, like the RMNP page. They're very good about providing the latest updates when conditions are questionable. I think TRR will be closed but you never know...... |
From what I've seen, they close the road starting at the highest elevations, so a portion of the road will likely still be open. And, assuming the road is closed at the top, you should be able to do a partial circle trip: leave Estes Park on Hwy 36 and take TRR west as far as it is open. When you come back down, turn left onto Fall River Road, which also will bring you back into Estes. From Estes, take Peak-to-Peak Highway (actually several Highways: 7, 72, 119) down to I-70. PtP also has some beautiful mountain vistas on a clear day. At Blackhawk to get to I-70, you can turn right to drive through BH and Central City to get on the Central City Parkway (which also has nice views) or you can go straight to Hwy 6, which takes you through a picturesque canyon and along a small river (Clear Creek), which ever you prefer. Google Nederland, Central City, and Blackhawk to see if the shops, restaurants, and casinos (non-smoking) are of interest to you.
You can also access a portion of TRR from the West, going north from Winter Park. Even if closed at the top, I would not be surprised if more than 50% of TRR was still open at that time. If you look back at similar threads, you will see a lot of warnings about elevation sickness that you should also heed. From CPH, you are gaining about 5k (feet) in altitude to get to Denver/Boulder, another 2k+ to Estes, and then possibly another 3k+ into RMNP, depending on where the road is closed. If not closed, I think the top elevation on the road is more than 12k feet. So drinking lots of water is important, and take a day at 5k if you can to see Boulder, Fort Collins, Denver, etc., as that would probably help you acclimate a great deal also. |
Thank you so much!
We arrive on October 28 and so far I have booked 4 nights at Marriott Breckenridge from October 30 to November 3 (3 days cancellation). What I was thinking was to take one night in North Denver or nearby and then head into Estes Park staying at the YMCA and then use TRR to cross to the West side, stay at Winter Park for a night and then get to the Marriott at Breckenridge. The problem with YMCA booking is that it's not refundable bookings so I would have to wait until pretty close before booking to avoid penalties. I might just book a night in Loveland (Boulder) to head straight in to RMNP from there. I did Bryce 2 nights a couple of years ago and I got hit by elevation sickness (Thank goodness it's only me) with loss of appetite and severe headache. Then I passed out when we got to our hotel at Torrey and I felt ok the next day - I had no idea what it was until we came down to around 6k feet. We stayed in Springdale for a night before heading up - wasn't really aware of elevation sickness. It didn't hit me until the second night at Bryce. We learned the lesson and definitely will use some time to acclimate before heading up. |
Winter is here!
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 307 PM MDT Sat Sep 30 2017 ...Significant snow accumulation possible in the northern Colorado mountains... .A powerful Pacific jet stream and moisture will bring more widespread and heavier precipitation to the mountains. One round of rain and snow will occur tonight, but most of the accumulating snow will occur above 10,000 feet. Heavier precipitation is expected to develop Sunday afternoon and Sunday night, and continue into Monday. Snow levels are expected to lower to around 7,000 to 8,000 feet near the Wyoming border, and closer to 8,500 to 9,500 feet along the I-70 Corridor by Sunday night. COZ030-031-033-010515- /O.NEW.KBOU.WS.A.0014.171001T2100Z-171003T0600Z/ Jackson County Below 9000 Feet- West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet- South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/ Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet- Including the cities of Gould, North Park, Rand, Spicer, Walden, East Slopes Park and Northern Gore Ranges, Gore Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, Cameron Pass, Laramie and Medicine Bow Mountains, Rabbit Ears Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Willow Creek Pass 307 PM MDT Sat Sep 30 2017 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Winter Storm Watch, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. * TIMING...Rain and snow will increase Sunday afternoon and become heavier through Sunday night. Snow levels will lower to valley floors Sunday night. Precipitation should decrease by Monday evening. * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...8 to 16 inches possible, with amounts of 4 to 10 inches possible in valley locations. * WIND/VISIBILITY...As low as one quarter mile during periods of heavy snow. * IMPACTS...Travel conditions may be slow and hazardous late Sunday afternoon through Sunday night and Monday. Areas of slush and snow will likely develop on many mountain roads during the periods of heavier snowfall. Hunters and other outdoor interests should take note of this prolonged period of winter weather, and be prepared for much colder temperatures and accumulating snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow...sleet...or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts. |
Apparently parts of TRR are closed due to snow. Looks like they are thinking of reopening, so this is probably not for the season (at this point).
https://twitter.com/RockyNPS TRRed (no relation to TRR) |
Originally Posted by djp98374
(Post 28829437)
prior dates of closing for trail ridge road:
November18, 2016 October 29, 2015 November 4, 2014 October 22, 2013 October 17, 2012 October 27, 2011 October 29, 2010 October 21, 2009 November 6, 2008 October 22, 2007 October 23, 2006 I would expect it to be closed at the time of your visit. The lower part of the park in the valleys should still open to drive through and see. A snow storm could cause temporary closure for snow clearing. thanks |
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