User deleted post
Thank you for your thoughts. I will remove Mt. Princeton from the itinerary--however, my parents really want to see two national parks on this trip so I think we'll keep GSDNP on the itinerary for now as I believe the other two will require even more driving. If you have any suggestions for lodging near Estes, I'd appreciate it.
And sorry for propagating the sensationalistic headline--I certainly don't mean to perpetuate the fearmongering, just haven't been in several years and don't know if there are additional precautions that I should take beyond the normal, common sense-guided ones. Will remove the link.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my questions.
I don't have any suggestions for lodging, there is a lot. Some nicer Airbnbs, but a lot of hotels as well.
No worries on the headline, it was a topic in another forum I just was talking about so I am freshly informed. And its always fair to be precautious, I just think its kinda ridiculous... Denverites may disagree, heck some rural places might disagree, but I think its a very safe state.
And I think the GSDNP is great, I just think its a different kind of park, not nearly as much to do. Theres a lot to do in the valley, but its like visiting the alien watch tower, or the alligator farm that just burnt down. A very different kind of trip...
Thank you again. It's helpful. Will share your thoughts with my parents and see if I can sway them on just sticking with RMNP and surrounding areas on this trip.
You have 12-15 hrs of driving in less than 4 days with 650miles or more (same as if you drove from Boston to Raleigh NC). RMNP is far superior to great sand dunes and zapata falls is nothing exciting. Don't underestimate the effort it will be to get in and out and around RMNP with traffic easily can be hours extra. Spend more time there.
With mid day entry do a hike, bring dinner, drive over trail ridge road, have a dinner picnic at the top or on the otherside. Stay in Granby.
Thanks for your thoughts. I realize it's a lot of driving, but I appreciate the warning--especially about the extra time we should be prepared to spend to get in/out/around RMNP. Will also try for an earlier entry since we are all early birds to spend more time in the park. Will definitely look at lodging options in Granby and take your advice on the hike>drive>dinner picnic, it sounds wonderful and something I think we can manage. Thank you again for taking the time to consider the questions. :)
Do you realize how far apart some of these places are form one another?
I have Google Mapped the itinerary and do realize the distances I will be covering (was capping driving at 6 hours a day assuming free-flowing traffic--which I've done before on a few consecutive days); I guess what I wasn't sure about is traffic conditions, and if I needed to budget more time and make adjustments to stops along the way. Will be making a few tweaks since I understand the point that you and others are making. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
Another awesome park close to Denver with very different scenery is Roxborough state park. It’s the same crazy red rock that makes the Red rock amphitheater
Thank you for the rec!
RMNP to Mt Princeton is a 4 hour one way drive. Princeton to Sand Dunes is another 3 hours one way. Sand Dunes to DIA is a 4 hour drive one way. They will not be able to make the Zapata Falls hike, based on your description of their abilities. I know in shape athletes who can't do that hike lol. I'd spend all your time around RMNP. Memorial Day and the several weeks after is some of the busiest times in the state for tourists.
I agree with most everything you said except for about the Zapata Falls hike. I did that one with my then 7 yo and I’m not really in shape at all
It's listed as moderately challenging on All Trails and the elevation gain is less than 300 feet, that's not easy - also it's not even a mile and the average time is 30 minutes, that's not the easiest of hikes for tourists. I also think people from more sea level areas have a different idea of challenging than what it means here. Also the last time I was there was pre-road paving and boy howdy were there cars all over that couldn't get to the trailhead/lot lol, but I think that's changed now.
If our schedule permits we may check out Zapata Falls (https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/zapata-falls-trail) but there's a far more challenging hike (https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/south-zapata-lake-trail) that u/Normal-Landscape-166 may be referring to. In any case I appreciate the warning and would want to err on the side of caution given my parents' age and also appreciate your sharing your experience with the trail.
The thing about the San Luis Valley is that its already very high. If you are coming out of state it will feel very hard to hike. I come from the front range and forget that its 2500 feet higher than where Im accustomed to. Small hikes will take my breath away when I don't expect. If you are coming in from a lower elevation you will feel it for sure...
edit: just read that you are sticking to RMNP, I think thats a good choice. You'll have a great time.
Thank you and u/NoCoCampingClub for your thoughts. Will skip Zapata Falls--had added the stop at the 11th hour on a friend's recommendation when she heard that I was planning to visit GSDNP. Will see if I can sell my parents on just focusing on RMNP this trip, but they were insistent on seeing a second national park on this trip. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
You should do Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP instead of sand dunes. It's like a 5 hour drive from RMNP but it takes you through Colorado, the drive itself is gorgeous, lots of cool places to stop along the way. The dunes are a bitch to walk in, it's literally sand that you have to go up and down. If the wind is 10 mph, you're just being sand blasted. No shade. Sun here is crazy intense.
Thank you again for your thoughts. They definitely want to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP at some point but I was finally able to persuade them to reduce the scope of the trip and just stick to RMNP. Will make a road trip out of BCGNP next time.
Princeton to the sand dunes is like an hour and a half, not 3 hours. But otherwise I agree with everything else you said.
I google mapped it and got 2 hrs 45 mins *shrug*
I do think this is a bit rushed. I would personally either skip Mt Princeton, or skip GSDNP all together. Zapata falls is cool, as well as the sand dunes, but they aren't as cool as the hike in RMNP imo. I would recommend the sand dunes if you are exploring the valley or passing through, but with the small time frame you have I'd say just stay in Estes and enjoy yourself there. All that said, I like to relax on my trips.
As far as that stupid news article thats been circulating, none. That is 2022 data, and its all related to car thefts because of the Kia and Hyundai security deficiencies and tiktok. Our violent crime isn't third in the country, it lowered in 23, and its basically all in metro centers like the rest of the country, Denver, CO Springs, are going to have most of the crime and they are still pretty safe places IMO.