Things to know about Estes Park

waterman · 08-23-2012, 12:34 PM

Folks,

Just wanted you to get you thinking about items that you may need for the trip.

Yes the rally is in late June and many will be traveling through some hot weather. However, Estes Park is at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Average highs that time of year are in the mid 70's and lows are around 50. Remember, this is averages. I have seen snow every month of the summer at some higher elevations.

Routes in that area will have some elevations above 12,000 feet and one will have an elevation above 14,000 feet so you will need some warmer gear for that.

Also, elevation might be an issue with some people. Altitude sickness can be a bummer. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water before getting to Estes Park.

http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Altitude-Sickness

Other than that be prepared for some beautiful rides and some great times.

deacon1984 · 08-23-2012, 12:39 PM

I rode through there three years ago during the first week of June. It was 35 degrees and snowing - hard.

Ten minutes later, the sun was out and people were walking around in shorts near the top of the mountain.

The scenery is awesome.

ponch · 08-23-2012, 12:40 PM

Some people take Diamox too.

cactusjack · 08-23-2012, 12:51 PM

When we drove through RMNP several years ago on Trail Ridge Rd you can normally see for miles and miles. There were forest fires around the park and all we could see was smoke from over 13,000 feet.

**Cajunrider** · 08-23-2012, 02:14 PM

My manager has been in EP since Friday last week. He told me yesterday that for his morning walks it is in the low 40's and warms up to 70 for his afternoon golfing. Tough life.

landman · 08-23-2012, 03:58 PM

at 155 miles to estes park i could commute back and forth.

blowndodge · 08-23-2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landman

at 155 miles to estes park i could commute back and forth.

Again?? will someone slap the sh*t out of Bob please!!??

waterman · 08-23-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Again?? will someone slap the sh*t out of Bob please!!??

I don't know BD, that 135 mile drive for me might just wear me out. Can't imagine the struggles Bob is going to have with 155 miles.

ponch · 08-23-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

I don't know BD, that 135 mile drive for me might just wear me out. Can't imagine the struggles Bob is going to have with 155 miles.

Ells has it the worst, no? I mean, he might be able to hike it if he had to.

mobandy78 · 08-23-2012, 05:57 PM

My short route is 763 miles, 12 hrs 10 minutes according to Google Maps. May break that into 2 days. The scenic route could be much, much longer.

usranger74 · 08-23-2012, 07:19 PM

http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

A nice ride that starts on the edge of town.

waterman · 08-23-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usranger74

http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

A nice ride that starts on the edge of town.

There is one ride that is worth the trouble if it has been dry. It is a dirt road. up to the top of the pass.

**trip** · 09-02-2012, 10:10 AM

I think it's a foregone conclusion that even though the rally will be held at the end of June, mornings will be cool... very cool in places. So, as Waterman is trying to explain....plan accordingly with leather and cold weather gear.

Even though we've planned this at the end of June and tried to stay away from the monsoon rains, it is still best practice to being rain gear also.

landman · 09-02-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Again?? will someone slap the sh*t out of Bob please!!??

i'll make up for it brad by riding 1000 miles to nightmares rally in antlers next month.

blowndodge · 09-02-2012, 12:26 PM

Ok Bob! I feel a little better. As long as you post your journey on your new bike!

08-23-2012, 12:34 PM	#1
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Things to know about Estes Park Folks, Just wanted you to get you thinking about items that you may need for the trip. Yes the rally is in late June and many will be traveling through some hot weather. However, Estes Park is at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Average highs that time of year are in the mid 70's and lows are around 50. Remember, this is averages. I have seen snow every month of the summer at some higher elevations. Routes in that area will have some elevations above 12,000 feet and one will have an elevation above 14,000 feet so you will need some warmer gear for that. Also, elevation might be an issue with some people. Altitude sickness can be a bummer. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water before getting to Estes Park. http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Altitude-Sickness Other than that be prepared for some beautiful rides and some great times. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-23-2012, 12:39 PM	#2
deacon1984 Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 133	I rode through there three years ago during the first week of June. It was 35 degrees and snowing - hard. Ten minutes later, the sun was out and people were walking around in shorts near the top of the mountain. The scenery is awesome. __________________ John VBA #1753 2008 Nomad
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08-23-2012, 12:40 PM	#3
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	Some people take Diamox too. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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08-23-2012, 12:51 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	When we drove through RMNP several years ago on Trail Ridge Rd you can normally see for miles and miles. There were forest fires around the park and all we could see was smoke from over 13,000 feet. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-23-2012, 02:14 PM	#5
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	My manager has been in EP since Friday last week. He told me yesterday that for his morning walks it is in the low 40's and warms up to 70 for his afternoon golfing. Tough life. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-23-2012, 03:58 PM	#6
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	at 155 miles to estes park i could commute back and forth. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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08-23-2012, 05:57 PM	#10
mobandy78 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 1,485	My short route is 763 miles, 12 hrs 10 minutes according to Google Maps. May break that into 2 days. The scenic route could be much, much longer. __________________ Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday
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08-23-2012, 07:19 PM	#11
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm A nice ride that starts on the edge of town. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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09-02-2012, 10:10 AM	#13
trip VBA Founder Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lindale, Texas Posts: 6,846	I think it's a foregone conclusion that even though the rally will be held at the end of June, mornings will be cool... very cool in places. So, as Waterman is trying to explain....plan accordingly with leather and cold weather gear. Even though we've planned this at the end of June and tried to stay away from the monsoon rains, it is still best practice to being rain gear also. __________________ Robert "Trip" Hilliard VBA/KawaNOW - Founder/Past President VBA # 00001 Trip's Website Custer 09, 18 / Maggie Valley 11 / Eureka Springs 09, 17 / Antlers 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Texas Hill Country / Deals Gap / Colorado / Wyoming / Montana / Utah / More trips for Trip
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09-02-2012, 12:26 PM	#15
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Ok Bob! I feel a little better. As long as you post your journey on your new bike! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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