| been there2 |
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Going out to Colorado for a week of vacation, and looking to do some trail running. Will be staying in Estes Park, and visiting Rocky Mountain NP every day. Any suggestions for great trails for running. I'm assuming it will take me a few days to get used to the altitude, so nothing too crazy or technical, please! Thanks. |
| nutstunts |
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Your going to want to stay low elevation theres still going to be some snow if you get higher. Lumpy Ridge is probably your best bet, you can get a pretty good 13ish mile loop up there. Pick up a trail map at the Jax or Sports Mans Warehouse in Loveland on your way up there. |
| Guppy |
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I would think the mountains would still be completely covered in snow this time of year. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy them or find good running, but you aren't going to be hiking to any peaks. I would just drive to a dirt road in the park and run out and back. That's what I usually do in areas like that. The road will not have snow in it and should still offer great views. Get a map and do a little researching. Sorry I can't be of more help. |
| Eric Idle |
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I ran in Moraine Park and the surrounding area for about a week... some decent rolling elevation and the closest part of RMNP to Estes. |
| been there2 |
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Sorry . . . I should have said, this will be for the last week in May, so snow less of an issue? |
| Guppy |
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Last week of May? Depends. This has been a relatively warm year, so you might be in luck. Last year was particularly wet and cold and the mountains were still snowy in late June. You should have plenty of opportunities in late May though, even if the peaks are still covered. |
| a couple trail ideas |
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Some decent intermediate trail ideas around Estes... -East Portal RMNP Trailhead near YMCA camp. You can go a number of directions on this one. -Lumpy Ridge loop...about 10 miles RT. -Crosier Mountain...a 9K foot peak, take the trailhead from Glen Haven about 8 miles RT. Great views, not technical, but 2000' of climbing. -Cub Lake/Fern Lake trails...a bit more crowded with hikers and shorter -North Fork Big Thompson River, ...not technical and goes a long way into RMNP from the Dunraven TH. You can make this a 20 mile out and back. Can also climb/run Signal Mtn from same trailhead. Here are some more on a map... http://www.landscapeimagery.com/imagemappage.html There are a lot more too. Have fun. |
| FoCoNoCoFoSho |
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Great list above -- Lumpy Ridge, Dunraven, and Crosier (though not as pretty, IMHO) would have the least snow. Lumpy Ridge is probably your best starting route, as it's lower/dryer, and doesn't have as much climbing. I'll also add Lawn Lake, Twin Sisters (though that's a bit more of a climb) and suggest checking out the Wild Basin Trailhead and Allenspark Trailheads for even more ideas, as the trails from those trailheads have a steady but runnable grade. If you get a Trails Illustrated (or similar) RMNP map, basically any named trail on the map is mostly runnable, albeit with varying definitions of the word "running" (Longs Peak Keyhole the biggest exception). We have an uncanny lack of snow already, so if the trend holds up, there could be an amazing amount of above-treeline terrain open in late May. Lastly, check 14ers.com, and the Boulder Trail Runners and Fort Collins Trail Runners yahoo mailing lists, for updated information and possibly joining some folks for a run. Have fun! |
| FoCoNoCoFoSho |
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Great list above -- Lumpy Ridge, Dunraven, and Crosier (though not as pretty, IMHO) would have the least snow. Lumpy Ridge is probably your best starting route, as it's lower/dryer, and doesn't have as much climbing. I'll also add Lawn Lake, Twin Sisters (though that's a bit more of a climb) and suggest checking out the Wild Basin Trailhead and Allenspark Trailheads for even more ideas, as the trails from those trailheads have a steady but runnable grade. If you get a Trails Illustrated (or similar) RMNP map, basically any named trail on the map is mostly runnable, especially on the east side of the park. Notable exceptions would be Longs Peak Keyhole (exposure, scrambling, and affected by extreme weather -- but worth it if you were prepared and conditions are right), and parts of Glacier Gorge and Forest Canyon that have unremoved deadfall from various storms. We have an uncanny lack of snow already, so if the trend holds up, there could be an amazing amount of above-treeline terrain open in late May. Lastly, check 14ers.com, and the Boulder Trail Runners and Fort Collins Trail Runners yahoo mailing lists, for updated information and possibly joining some folks for a run. Have fun! |
| mynexthandle |
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Longs Peak, at least up to the Keyhole. |
| been there2 |
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Thanks, this is very helpful! |