RMNP Advice please!

“on where I should hike and camp this summer with wife, 2 teens near Estes Park. You guys look like you would know this area backwards and forwards. Any suggestions?”

“Here's a few RMNP websites...
Rocky Mountain National Park Page
RMNP.com
Estes Park
Estes On-Line

Now c'mon outta the woodword doods...I know there are some here that could prolly be able to give first-hand info.”

“Indian Peaks Wilderness is nice. It's a bit south of Estes. I think it adjoins RMNP.”

“Estes Park and RMNP are usually the first place people without a clue go when visiting Colorado. The people who know what they are doing in RMNP are either climbing Longs Peak (hundreds of them every day in the summer) or planned way ahead of time to get the appropriate permits & designated campsites (only RMNP and Indian Peaks WLD require this in CO). Most of these people live in Denver, which is a very easy drive to EP & RMNP.

Regular schmos like myself who have to travel a ways to get to CO avoid this area completely and find spots in the huge amounts of national forest land. Colorado is too big a place to fight the crowds and restrictions at RMNP, unless you really know what yer doing. Buy some guide books and pick places where you can be more flexible. If crowds annoy you, get as far from Denver as you can and avoid 14ers on weekends.”

“I think I understand Toe..."RMNP=Wilderness Disneyland". Maybe that's why the underwhelming response to my request for info. I think this Missouri flatlander will try something else and thanks for your honesty. Have you ever done Conundrum near Crested Butte? See http://www. hike.mountainzone.com/2000/conundrum/html/index.html. Looks like fun.”

“hey frimfram. if you told me when, and what kind of hiking you were looking for, i could probably hook you up with the goods. backpack, or day hike? crankin out miles and vertical feet, or slow and low? rmnp is insane during the summer - but for good reason, its pretty rad. there are plenty of spots to get away from the crowds though - especially if you pack in. once you get outside a few miles from the trailhead, you're usually good to go. i've done all kinds of stuff from rmnp and north, so i can point you somewhere else too. give me more details on what you're looking for, and i'll do what i can. sorry for being lazy and not much help, but i didnt feel like listing all the alternatives for everything you might want to do...”

“I haven't made it to Crested Butte or Conundrum yet, but I'd recommend approaching the Elk Range from the south vice the Aspen side. I'm considering leaving my family at Taylor Reservoir while I day hike some of those mountains this summer.

There aren't many Rocky Mtn hikers on this site. That's why so many have done 20+ mile days!”

“Fenway, thanks! Let me give you some background. I'm a relative newbie but did Elbert last August with a buddy. Problem is reelin in the young-n's. Few years back we started trying to get the girls into backpacking but after one fairly hot and strenuous day they would later start crying if we suggested to go "hiking". So we got them on the trail by saying we were going "exploring". So it would need to be pretty low key, no more than 5 miles per day. Anyways, to answer your question we are looking to go backpacking in June-July and will have flatlander lungs but all gear we need for 30 degree nites and above. Girls will need low(below tree line) and slow. We are somewhat familiar with Crested Butte area.”

“I ALMOST did Conundrum from Aspen. Was ready to head out and then friend and I didn't. There were '#&%!$S (WITH DOGS' to boot!! lol) headed for the springs...... plus I hadn't done any type of extended mountain stuff and was concerned about 1) the distance and elevation gain (although from Aspen trailhead it's around 9 miles and 3,000 ft, if I remember right); and 2) if sleeping bag was warm enough.

There's a lot of people hiking Conundrum from Aspen end.”

“Lizs, what are #&%!? Are they common in Colorado?”