Denver, Colorado in March

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  • kwc
    loser
    • Apr 2004
    • 1300
    #1

    Denver, Colorado in March

    We're going to be in Denver in mid-March for almost a week. Jackie will be spending much of her time attending seminars at a Vet Tech convention. I, however, will not be attending any such seminars (woo hoo!!), so I'm looking for any information about outdoorsy stuff to do in and around the Denver area while Jackie fills her mind with information that I cannot possibly understand.

    I've already scoped out snowshoeing up in Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park, and that looks like a definite possibility. I have never skied out west, and I may try a stab at one of the closer ski areas for a day.

    Anyone been out that way in the winter? Anyone familiar with the area at all?
    sigpic

    Once a year, go some where you've never been before.
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    • Zan
      • Mar 2005
      • 58
      #2
      Hike around Lumpy Ridge if you head up to Estes Park and Rocky--the ridge should be free of heavy snow, and it's filled with interesting geological outcroppings. I'd also snowshoe around bear lake, going up to Loch Vale, Mills Lake or even the short trip to Emerald and Dream Lake. Those trails would be fun, but I would be careful as you approach higher elevations--it's dangerous country that time of year... Also a hike up to chasm lake at the base of the Diamond of Longs Peak would be nice too! In fact, if that trail is accessible, I would do that above all others.

      There is a great place to ski in the park. It's right off of trail ridge rd. You'll need to climb up to the top of the ridge and then ski down the old Hidden Valley runs...

      It's sad, I work there seasonally, but have yet to see the place in march. Let me know what you hear about conditions, and when I talk to my boss in the next couple of weeks, I'll ask him what they "might" be like.

      Make sure you stop into the Rock Inn in Estes if it's open...great place to eat and they will answer any hiking questions you may have.
      "Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

      --Chief Seattle

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        • oldsmores
          Member
          • Nov 2003
          • 440
          #3
          I'd second the hike up to Chasm Lake, but you more than likely will want an ice axe. There's a traverse required just before you get to the lake that will be snow covered and it's pretty steep. I did it one Memorial Day and it was a snow field even then.
          In general, you'll find little or no snow down low (below 8000' or so), with increasing snow and ice as you go up. The road through RMNP will not be open all the way through the park. How far you can get will depend on conditions.
          Skiing will probably be great!

            Comment

            • redhawk
              Senior Resident Curmudgeon
              • Jan 2004
              • 10929
              #4
              The area around Estes Park is beautiful. A drive up into Estes Park via Loveland Pass (US 34), along the Big Thompson River is memorial. I used to drive it 5 days a week from Wellington, CO..Just don't opt for it during the spring runoff. You can go into Rocky Mountain State Park not far from there.

              One thing to remember in planning anything out there. Your stamina will not be as good as it is here due to the altitude. Estes Park is about 7500 feet.
              "If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. Johnson

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                • kwc
                  loser
                  • Apr 2004
                  • 1300
                  #5
                  thanks for the suggestions!

                  I've already made some inquiries about going up to Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park for some snowshoeing, and that looks promising.

                  And thanks for the reminder about the altitude Hawk! I thought about that last night when I was looking at some of the trail maps for the ski areas ... with base elevations of 9600 ft!
                  sigpic

                  Once a year, go some where you've never been before.

                    Comment

                    • Zan
                      • Mar 2005
                      • 58
                      #6
                      If you are going to ski at either Vail, Copper, etc. I would save that trip for a weekday. The westbound traffic on 70 out of Denver can be brutal on a weekend. Everyone is heading for the slopes...

                      I like Hawks idea of route 34 up the Big Thompson Canyon. It's an excellent drive with plenty of turn offs in a deep, winding canyon. What I would do is drive up route 36 from Boulder and loop back down to Denver via 34. The 36 approach offers an epic view of the Continental Divide as you enter Estes Park.

                      Oldsmores is right about the ice axe. You'll need that and an aggressive pair of snowshoes. I've done some sketchy snow field traverses with my crew in June while carrying a chainsaw and at times have had to sled down steep, snow covered spots on a shovel! If you are going at this alone, which I assume you are, I'd discourage you to even enter an area requiring an ice axe---but I don't know anything about your experience...


                      The snowshoeing you speak of--is that a guided trip? Is it through the Warming Hut?
                      "Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

                      --Chief Seattle

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