Rocky Mountain NP in late September - which week?

<p>I'm traveling to Colorado and New Mexico from September 18th, flying in and out of Denver. I'd like to spend at least 4 days at RMNP, being there when fall colors are strong.</p>

<p>Would you recommend I visit the park the week of September 20th or the next week (September 27th)? Does it make much difference? I need to plan whether I go to RMNP immediately I arrive in Denver, or on the way back.</p>

<p>On a related topic, is Estes Park the best town to base? There seems to be a decent selection of motels.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>Ordinarily, I'd recommend the later date, but with the crazy weather the west has been having for the last year or so, I don't know. Your best bet would be to contact the National Park Service for foliage info:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo/">http://www.nps.gov/romo/</a></p>

<p>Estes park is nice, but a little pricey. You might consider staying further down the mountain in Loveland. It's still close enough for a good day trip up to RMNP.</p>

<p>Have fun!</p>

<p>Thank you for the Loveland pointer. I was really stunned by Estes Park prices.</p>

<p>Stay near the west end of Loveland, faster to get to Estes. I'd recommend the week of the 20th (I live in Ft Collins, 10 miles or so north of Loveland)</p>

<p>Typically, the week of the 20th would probably be best. However, RMNP isn't really noted for its display of fall colors. There are not alot of Aspens in the park. The area around Bear Lake has some nice Aspen stands but thats about it. I would consider other parts of Colorado for your fall color fix. Now the elk rut in RMNP in September can really be alot of fun to photograph. </p>

<p>If fall colors are not spectacular, is that time of the year at RMNP rewarding in other ways for landscape photography? I try not to "pre-conceive" what I want to shoot at any location (fall colors, wildflowers, etc) and try to make the best of what I actually find, but if the season isn't rewarding, I could concentrate elsewhere.</p>

<p>I don't have the right glass for wildlife.</p>

<p>There's an whole range of prices in Estes Park. Considering your short stay, it's nice to drive into the park in minutes, especially for dawn shooting. The park is a long way from Loveland.</p>

<p>If you want fall colors, go to Vermont (or the Northeast in general). The few aspens in RMNP start to change the 1st week in September, and the high roads are closed by October 15, and often much earlier. On the other hand, if high overlooks, broad "parks", stranded streams, lakes and (I almost forgot) a hundred peaks excite you, any time is great.</p>

<p>Yes, September is still rewarding for landsacpe photography in RMNP. Trail Ridge Road should still be open and if you are fortunate, a recent snowstorm will powder the high peaks. The elk rut in RMNP doesn't require long glass. I frequently get by with my 80-200mm lens. Its easy to find the herds literally a dozen yards from the road and sometimes on the road.</p>

<p>Thanks to all who responded. I'll shoot what I see at RMNP, and I've decided to also spend a few days in the San Juan Mountains looking for fall color on my way to New Mexico. I'm sure there's nothing new I can add to the body of San Juan fall color work, but I'm also using it as an excuse to ride the Durango-Silverton train. It will be nice to spend one day just sitting back without shooting.</p>

<p>If you want colorful aspens, visit the Kebler Pass area just west of Crested Butte. It won't be too far out of the way if you are driving down to the San Juans from the Denver area. That area has one of the largest aspen stands in the world. You won't be disappointed in late Sept. As an added bonus, Crested Butte is a pretty cool town too.</p>

<p>I would say Estes Park is the best place to base yourself. I've stayed at The Mountain Sage Inn in Estes. Not a fancy place with hot tubs and such but it's clean and the room rates are the most reasonable I've found. Website http://mountainsageinn.com/</p>

<p>Rocky Mountain Nature Association holds it's fall color photgraphy classes consistently during the last week in September, first week in October. You will not be wowwed by expanses of color, but there are plenty of opportunities for Elk against Aspen (Horseshoe park can get good photos as males with harems consistently tend to hang on west end of Horseshoe, close to road, in front of mature aspens). Aspen detail work is always available. Also, there are opportunities for Aspen stands in front of the Mountains. Bear/Dream/Sprague Lake are good for dawn photos and reflections. Trail Ridge Road will be open and there is an expansive stand of Aspen by the old Hidden Valley ski area as you work your way up and over the top from the West end of the park after you finish with your dawn photos. <br>

Estes has a lot of options for hotels and places to stay (we live near the Comfort Inn) and I would highly recommend staying near the park for dawn photo opportunities versus driving in from Loveland. </p>

<p>The (relatively few) aspen in RMNP tend to turn sooner than the other spots in the state. The stand on the north side of Bear Lake (which you may have seen framing shots of Longs Peak looming above the lake) can turn as soon as the second week of September.<br>

Assuming you're heading down to New Mexico from Denver via the San Juans, definitely try to head via Aspen (take Independence Pass - you'd be unlucky to find it closed at that time of year) and stop off at Castle Creek Road and Maroon Bells. You can then head down over McClure Pass, taking in a brief detour to Kebler Pass, on the way to SW Colorado. Timing in the 3rd week September will be better for the central mountain fall color than for the San Juans (which turn later, into early October, especially around Ridgway and north of Sneffels Range).<br>

An alternative route is to take the Scenic Byway over the Grand Mesa off I70 not far from Grand Junction - there are some spectacular aspen stands. Again, these turn earlier than the San Juans, in my experience.</p>