Guidebook for Estes Park and the Surrounding Area

Maybe you've hiked many of the trails in RMNP or it's a busy time of year. The National Forest just to the east of Estes Park, Roosevelt NF, offers additional, less crowded hiking options. We've hiked most of them and recommend Lion Gulch, Crosier Mountain, Sullivan Gulch, North Fork Trail and Lily Mountain. Additionally, Hermit Park, a county-owned park just east of Estes has additional trails. Kruger Rock is the most popular and takes you to a high point with incredible views of the Estes Valley and continental divide. All these trails can be searched online for more information.

Mountain air is thinner and the sun more intense. You will need sunscreen year-round. Don't forget lip balm with SPF, too.

If you're susceptible to dry weather and get nose bleeds after a few days in low humidity, pack or pick-up saline nasal spray.

Be prepared for the altitude and understand how it can make you feel so you don't panic and think something is seriously wrong with you when you get here, because chances are nothing is but the few thousand feet in elevation you're not used to. When you get to the mountains, you may experience shortness or breath, a headache, a little nausea and maybe not sleep as well the first few nights. Another side effect most don't associate with altitude is bloating. This happens because of the decreased air pressure. Generally, symptoms caused by the higher elevation are mild and easily managed.

We talked about how you might feel because of the altitude. If you are sensitive to the change, we recommend not doing too much, too soon. The first couple days plan hikes or walks that aren't too intense or at high elevation to see how you do. The four-mile walk around Lake Estes is a good choice. The walks around Sprague and Lily Lakes in nearby RMNP are shorter, flat hikes but can be combined with hikes in Wild Basin, Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park for a day of exploring without getting too crazy. Plan your bigger, more challenging hikes later in your trip.

Surprisingly, there are few bears in the Estes area, including RMNP. Your chances of spotting one are just as likely in town as out in the wilderness. That said, every year cars do get broken into in town so a best practice is to not leave any food items in your vehicle overnight. Gum, toothpaste, mints, etc. included. When hiking, bear spray & bear bells really aren't necessary here. Your chances are very low of running into a bear on the trail. We have logged over 300 mi. of hiking in the park and the surrounding national forest and have yet to see one. Bears hibernate November thru March.