Planning a first timer.

[jezter]

Good day all!!

My name is Bryan. I'm new to the 14er mantra, but have summitted a good deal in the Appalachians, mainly northeast Georgia. Anyway, my brother in law and I are planning a road trip from east Texas, to Taos, then on to Boulder, and the surrounding area. We are planning on stopping through and having a go at Grey's Peak and Torreys.

Neither of us have done a 14er, so its something we are both looking forward to. We are planning on going up the eastern slopes, and then doubling back after summitting both peaks.

Our plan is to arrive at camp from Taos on Septmber 18. Summit the 19. Then continue our road trip north on the 20. We aren't very familiar with the area and wanted the best place to camp, that can be accessible in a Volkswagen Jetta.

Then heading up towards the Estes Park area afterwards. Probably just focus on doing random day hikes around RMNP, and the surrounding area.

So, if anyone has any good advice, or sees us out on the trails, say helllo. We'll be the two dudes from Texas who are out of breath.

Happy trails.

[glenmiz]

Good luck on your adventure. This site is a great place to learn a lot about what you're planning.

Check out the forum "14ers for Beginners" on preparation, what to bring, what to watch for when jumping from sea level to this elevation.
http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=16" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Getting to the upper trailhead in Jetta might be difficult - just a longer hike if you have to park early. Check out TH conditions: http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhead ... hparm=fr04" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can also learn a lot by taking a look at recent trip reports as well as the trail description.

Good luck and be safe up there!
Glen

[jezter]

Thank you for the information.

I navigated the site a good bit before posting. I was able to easily find the basic things I needed such as gear and preparations. I guess my biggest thing would be the fact that I am not extremely familiar with the area, and am in need of camping locations. I've found that Steven's Gulch seems to be a popular place. Is it true that if its national forest, you can camp free of charge, of course abiding by the LNT mantra.

Am also interested in camping either within RMNP or close to the immediate entrance, and possibly considering the Nederland area as well.

So I guess thats my biggest thing. Camping locations.

[Alpine]

For camping in the Estes area, you have lots of options, but even though there is lots of forest service land in the area, Jetta-level dispersed camping is not that easy to find. I think your best bet would be to plan on one of the forest service campgrounds, or better yet RMNP.

If you were to take Highway 119 north from I-70 once you are done with G&T, there are numerous Forest Service campgrounds along that entire stretch from I-70 to Estes. It would Hwy 119, then at Nederland take Hwy 72, and then Hwy 7.

From Nederland north, for Natl Forest campgrounds you have Peaceful Valley/Camp Dick just off 72, then on Hwy 7 past Allenspark there is Olive Ridge, Mt. Meeker/Meeker Park, Longs Peak and then Mary’s lake right at the edge of Estes. Probably missing a few in there. And then there campgrounds right in RMNP of course.

Since you will be mid-September, and camping in the Estes area on Sunday night and later, you will avoid the zoo that is Estes Park and RMNP on a September weekend. Don’t get me wrong I love it there that time of the year, it’s fantastic for the elk and changing aspen, but if you don’t like crowds, don’t go there on a September weekend.

But if you are only looking for side-of-the-road type dispersed camping, it does become a little more limited with the Jetta. Here are couple options:

On Hwy 72 a few miles north of Ward, look for the sign for the Tahosa Boy Scout Camp and Beaver Reservoir to the west. It’s a few miles to the Reservoir, and there are several spots along there that would easily work.

Once you turn onto Hwy 7, the northern end of Bunce School Road might offer a few options in the first couple miles though not really ideal.

At Meeker Park, I think you could find a spot along the Cabin Creek road to the east.

From the south end of Estes, you could try the Pierson park road – much of it is not accessible for a Jetta but I am not sure where the rough stuff starts from the Estes end.

Maybe some others could provide additional details or ideas.

All things considered, my first choice for you would be an RMNP campground, and then one of the Forest Service campgounds.

[glenmiz]

So I guess thats my biggest thing. Camping locations.

Alpine covered the RMNP.

I think there are a few sites at the Grays/Torrey's trailhead but it is a very popular and crowded trailhead so you'll have to be lucky to find one. Elevation is around 11,000 so, coming from low elevation, it may be a difficult night's sleep. The whole area around the trail is Arapahoe National Forest and you can just use the dispersed camping rules.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/arp/rec ... 4&actid=34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jezter]

Alpine covered the RMNP.

I think there are a few sites at the Grays/Torrey's trailhead but it is a very popular and crowded trailhead so you'll have to be lucky to find one. Elevation is around 11,000 so, coming from low elevation, it may be a difficult night's sleep. The whole area around the trail is Arapahoe National Forest and you can just use the dispersed camping rules.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/arp/rec ... 4&actid=34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for this information. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that within the Arapahoe NF you can pretty much camp anywhere following the LNT guidelines. We are actually going to be camping in each location for a number of days and basically will be setting up a home base type of thing. That being said, is it safe to assume that once we find a good spot, and setup camp, that our tents would be fine while we go out wandering for the day?

[jezter]

For camping in the Estes area, you have lots of options, but even though there is lots of forest service land in the area, Jetta-level dispersed camping is not that easy to find. I think your best bet would be to plan on one of the forest service campgrounds, or better yet RMNP.

If you were to take Highway 119 north from I-70 once you are done with G&T, there are numerous Forest Service campgrounds along that entire stretch from I-70 to Estes. It would Hwy 119, then at Nederland take Hwy 72, and then Hwy 7.

From Nederland north, for Natl Forest campgrounds you have Peaceful Valley/Camp Dick just off 72, then on Hwy 7 past Allenspark there is Olive Ridge, Mt. Meeker/Meeker Park, Longs Peak and then Mary’s lake right at the edge of Estes. Probably missing a few in there. And then there campgrounds right in RMNP of course.

Since you will be mid-September, and camping in the Estes area on Sunday night and later, you will avoid the zoo that is Estes Park and RMNP on a September weekend. Don’t get me wrong I love it there that time of the year, it’s fantastic for the elk and changing aspen, but if you don’t like crowds, don’t go there on a September weekend.

But if you are only looking for side-of-the-road type dispersed camping, it does become a little more limited with the Jetta. Here are couple options:

On Hwy 72 a few miles north of Ward, look for the sign for the Tahosa Boy Scout Camp and Beaver Reservoir to the west. It’s a few miles to the Reservoir, and there are several spots along there that would easily work.

Once you turn onto Hwy 7, the northern end of Bunce School Road might offer a few options in the first couple miles though not really ideal.

At Meeker Park, I think you could find a spot along the Cabin Creek road to the east.

From the south end of Estes, you could try the Pierson park road – much of it is not accessible for a Jetta but I am not sure where the rough stuff starts from the Estes end.

Maybe some others could provide additional details or ideas.

All things considered, my first choice for you would be an RMNP campground, and then one of the Forest Service campgounds.

Thank you very very very much for this detailed information!!! This will help us considerably!! The best part is, part of this trip is to research the area from Boulder north to Estes Park for my wife and I to relocate within the next 2 years, so going the route of 119 to 72 up through Nederland will give me a good scenic drive to figure some things out. I've been too Boulder, Nederland, Estes Park, Lyons, and that area before. I honestly just fell in love with the entire area, the vibe, and the way that everyone is so friendly, polite, and always willing to help others out.

Anyway, if anyone wants to take us on some local favorites while we are in the area, we are totally open to it!!! I know we want to do some day hikes throughout RMNP, but would rather take trails less traveled so as to avoid the "tourist" hikers (as we used to call them in the Georgia Appalachians).

nyway, thank you very much for the very detailed and helpful information.

[sieggy80305]

Enjoy! We moved from Atlanta to Colorado and loved it. I'll echo a little but what's already been said. Mary's Lake just outside of Estes is one of my favorites. It's reasonably priced (a lot of campgrounds up charge for tourists) but it's still close to RMNP. If you try and book a state campground vs. just camping in the national forest check first. After Labor Day a lot of stuff starts to shut down for the winter.

Gray's and Torrey's is a great first timer hike. Bierstadt, which is nearby and close to Georgetown is another. Bierstadt might be easier to get to in your Jetta. As mentioned the road up to Grays is kind of sketchy. We were up it this summer and we took my friend's 4wd truck and glad we did. Won't say it can't be done but you'd have to be very, very careful.

Unfortunately all three mountains will have you seeing a fair bit of traffic, though it will be dropping off a bit by that time of year. Since they are regarded as the popular 'starter' 14ers they see a lot of people.

Also don't forget by your date temps will be falling and nights cold. Check your weather regularly to keep on eye on things. I'd follow the links here to places like NOAA vs. WeatherChannel which is usually going to default to a warmer town much further down in elevation. Temps see-saw a lot that time of year and winter starts to roll in. You could hike in warm weather. You could hike in very cold temps. However, as the colors and aspen change it's a gorgeous time of year. Enjoy and good luck!

[mrvwbug]

I would probably find a campsite closer to the TH than up by Estes. Estes Park is still at least a 90 minute drive to the Grays peak TH (and personally I'd rather avoid the peak to peak at night, moose are very hard to see at night). A Jetta "might" get up Stevens Gulch Road to the TH, if you have some sidewall on your tires (don't attempt with low profile tires) and are very slow and careful, the road is notorious for feasting on the oil pans of passenger cars (on my last trip up there a Civic punched a hole in their oil pan about 50 yards from the TH on their way down). As for the climb, bring extra water to help stave off altitude sickness if you are coming from sea level and try to be well on your way down by noon.

[Pops921]

There are a lot of nice campgrounds on Dillon Reservoir, Heaton would provide easy access to I-70 and probably less then 30 minutes to Gray's/Torrey Trail Head. As others mentioned, the road to to trailhead could be tough on a Jetta. Quandary is also close by and the trail head is easy to get to.

[pw]

There are designated campgrounds on the road up to Guanella Pass, plus some places to just pull over, that might be the best spot for camping the night before doing Grays and Torreys, should not be too long of a drive to get from there to the trailhead for Grays.

[asbochav]

As has been said, the road to the Grays/Torreys TH is rough and camping is very limited - just OK for a quick overnight, if there's space. Guanella Pass has campsites, and plenty of legal dispersed camping which would put you virtually at the Bierstadt TH a good choice IMHO. Paved road - tho' check for construction South of the pass which has caused delays in the past. Guanella Pass also is the TH for other trails e.g. Square-top Mtn, useful to help you adjust to the altitude.

Best to check the Forest Service websites or phone to check when official campsites will close for the season - also they can answer your questions re: dispersed camping - which definitely is available and legal in many national forests.

Some great hiking around Taos too!