Estes Park, CO : Anyone close to there?

[HappyAnika]

I have quite a bit of experience with high altitude hiking (and I'm a weather buff) and my advice would be to not plan on it being either hot or cold, but rather both. The thing about the temperature dropping 5 degrees with every 1,000 ft is not always the case. It is often just as hot (up to 97 easily) in Estes as it is at my home, 3,000 ft. lower. On days like that the biggest difference is it cools off a lot and very quickly in the mountains at night. You can experience the weather of all 4 seasons in a single summer day, including snow and freezing hail above 9,000 ft. That weekend Kathi mentioned where is was cold and rainy, DH and I were on a hike and it was the coldest I've ever been on a hike, including snowshoeing in the winter. The very next weekend we were hiking and it was 96 when we got back to the trailhead at 2 pm at 8,000 ft. Layering is absolutley the key to being prepared. We have a little saying out here: "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute and it will change."

One last comment about the afternoon thunderstorms, do everything you can to not be above treeline after 1 pm. (This is assuming you have a ways to go to find shelter). You can find dreadful stories of rock climbers and hikers being killed by lightning strikes, particularly on Long's Peak. I can't remember the exact numbers, but I think Colorado came in 3rd place recently for states with the most lightning caused deaths. Some people come to CO all worried about bears and mountain lions, the thing they should worry about is the weather. I don't want to try and scare anyone, but the weather here deserves respect. If you just follow a couple of simple guidelines you'll stay safe and have a great time. And if the weather is too crappy too climb one day, definitely head to New Belgium

[Kathi]

The weekend of the Triple Bypass was cold and rainy but when you are from areas like Ohio and Ky rain in July doesn't equal hypothermia. You get a little chilly but many times rain feels refreshing. We talked to 5 riders who started the Triple Bypass but quit because they were so cold. We heard that only 190 riders finished out of 3,000. It sounded like many of them weren't prepared either.

The weekend I rode in Leadville was in June. It was 90ish here in Denver but in the 50's and 60's in Summit County.

Estes Park isn't as high as Leadville but HappyAnnika is right layering is the key. And as they said on the news last night, lightening is the no.1 weather related killer in Colorado. Last month a motorcyclist was struck by lightening and killed here in Denver and the other day a group of hikers were hit. I heard that if you hear thunder you can be struck by lightening.

Just be prepared!

[Diggles]

ok, now i'm nervous. i have very little space for clothing so i'm going to have to plan this well. i have zero money to blow on the i didn't plan on this stuff. i appreciate the advice greatly.

i've been looking for camping spots too & EVERYTHING is really expensive. the cheapest i've found is $15 a night. http://www.nationalparkcampground.com/NPC-Rates.HTML (the primitive tent camping one)
$15/night by yourself is a lot. i'm a dirtbag climber! i'm wondering if i might be able to just park somewhere & sleep in the car w/out being bothered by the police.
anyone have any suggestions? i know i've asked a lot from you girls already...i'm sorry to be a pain...

-d

[Kathi]

Have you looked at Grand Lake? It's the other side of the park. Estes Park is like Gatlinburg, touristy and expensive.

[sarahkonamojo]

I'm not a climber, but I know the area a little. I know some people like to climb Lumpy Ridge, but don't think it is actually in the park. Point is, you don't need to stay in the Park. Like Kathi said look to Granby/Grand Lake. Or look south of Estes.

As far as climbing goes, are you going to climb Longs or are you a rock climber? Either way, opportinuties for climbing are wide spread and not limited to RMNP. The Taylor River Canyon near Gunnison has some great climbing and camping will be a lot cheaper. If you are looking to climb 14ers you might head to Buena Vista and climb the collegiates.

In general when looking at a map of Colorado lands, BLM land will have the cheapest, often free and unimproved, camping, US Forest Service land is next in expense, but will vary, National Parks are the most expensive. And if you use Reserve America, you often pay double due to a reservation fee.

Good luck,
sarah

[Susarific]

I spent the summer in Estes Park years ago while I was in college. I rode my bike all over the town and in the park. Trail Ridge Road is an awesome ride. I would ride up Trail Ridge Road to the Trail Ridge Store and then down Fall River Road back to Estes Park. There is also a nice bike shop there called Colorado Bicycling Adventures, they should be able to help you with anything that you need!! Have a great time and definitely eat at the Sweet Basilico Cafe, it's AWESOME!!