Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in early May, Any advice?

Hi Everyone,

 

Just booked a 6 day trip to Colorado, Landing in Denver on May 8th.

 

So far all I know is that I plan on spending at least 2-3 days at RMNP, the

rest is up in the air.

 

I will be doing some book research, but usually prefer advice from real people

on this site better.

 

Aiming for some great hiking/camping and landscape photography locations.

 

Where would you go, and what should I expect. Snow at higher altitudes I assume?

 

Any help is appreciated, Thanks in advance.

 

--Roy

Check to see if the Park is even open. Yes, there is just a wee bit of snow at higher elevations. :)

<I>...6 day trip ... 2-3 days at RMNP, the rest is up in the air. </I><P>

 

I knew there were holding patterns waiting to land at most big airports, but WOW!<P>

 

Sorry, couldn't resist...

Check out the <A HREF="http://www.nps.gov/romo/">RMNP</A> website, and contact them for current weather/hiking conditions before you go.

<BR><BR>

This shot is from a few years back in early June, which should give you an idea. I think you'll love it!<div></div>

Alan, took me a second to get it... apology accepted, that one was bad :0)

 

Thanks Bob, I'll make sure. The beauty of this trip is that I'm flexible, I'll make sure I have some back up destinations (which is kindda what this thread is about) I will be going solo on this one, and so changing plans will be easier if need be.

 

Beautiful Shot William, I'll be sure to check the site.

 

Any particular spots in the park that I should try to get to, Any favorite hikes or destinations?

 

Where else should I look into besides the park?

 

Thanks guys.

I went there for spring break, great park just don't expect to a lot of sleep. Temperatures were fine, it was just so windy. My target was animals though, not landscapes.

 

I saw mainly five different animals, elk, magpies, red foxes, coyotes, and some kind of deer, exact type escapes me at the moment. With the exception of the foxes, the rest were very comfortable around people, especially vehicles in regards to the deer, coyotes, and magpies.

 

Elk: I saw them in large numbers around Moraine Park and Sheep Lake. The Sheep Lake area had a small herd of buck elk (12ish?). On foot I got with 30 feet without them really even glancing at me. I didn't care to get closer via the feet. In the care you can get right up next them without bothering them.

 

Deer: Much the same but much more weighted towards the northern part of Moraine Park.

 

Coyote: There was a pair of them would move through the eastern edge of the Moraine Campground to the meadow nearby. I only saw them twice, once around 8am and again around sunset. They have no fear of stationary cars and while they won't run from you on foot they won't stick around either.

 

Fox: I saw what I assume to be the same one several times on the road leading from Moraine Park to Bear Lake. He was very skittish bolting at the sight of even cars.

 

Magpies: They was a large number of them in the Moraine Park area and would interact with the elk in the mornings. They have no fear of cars and little fear of people. The one of the ones pictured came within a foot and a half of me while I was sitting watching it.

 

Expect snow at higher altitudes and very well trodden trails. Be for warned that some of the trails I hiked had been so trodden upon that the snow became smoothed at and was slippery as ice. The Bear Lake area has some excellent high altitude and high difficulty trails. A good, milder trail can be found in the Moraine Park area. It takes you by several excellent lakes and Fern falls. Would be a good trail to start on. Even milder if you are worn out would be simply to hike around the Alluvial Fan. The road places several excellent falls within very short hikes.

 

some of the shots

http://esoteric-imagery.deviantart.com/gallery/#Wildlife

Although areas of Colorado have been getting very high amounts of snow this year, the area of the park is about average as of today. The park is always open but the Trail Ridge Rd will probably not be open to the top yet when you arrive. It has been very windy this year. If you want wildlife, head to the park. There's even been wolf prints spotted this winter (opne set of tracks). If you want scenery, for my vote I'd rent a car and head to the Ridgeway / Telluride area, but it's a 6 hour drive from Denver each way.

The park is open 365 days a year. However, not all facilities and roads are open 365 days a year. Trail Ridge Road doesn't open until Memorial Day Weekend. In early May, the lower valleys and parks (Moraigne and Horseshoe) will be starting to green up. Still early for wildflowers. Wouldn't be surprised if Bear Lake still has ice on it. All but the lower trails will be snow bound. Probably the snow will be so packed from winter hiking that they'll be icy.

 

You could always head south to Colorado Springs and photograph Garden of the Gods park. Or you could head out to the Pawnee Grasslands in NE Colorado and photograph the Pawnee Buttes. It'll be greener there than in RMNP.

Early May is a bit early, but you'll still have a good time...

 

The lower lakes should be thawed or partially thawed. Runoff should be picking up, so waterfalls will be more interesting; if you're feeling adventurous, a snowshoe trip up to Ouzel Falls in Wild Basin might be in order. If you're lucky, an overnight snow will freshen up the landscape, covering boulders in the streams, etc.

 

As other people have noted, Trail Ridge Road will still be closed; stick to the East side of the park (around Estes Park) for best results, IMHO.