I need suggestions of what to see and do at RMNP

[CajunCamper]

Good news: I am leaving for Rocky Mountain National Park in early October with my wife and son for quick (4) day trip.

Bad news: I will not be towing my pop up with us. Apparently Frontier Airlines says they don't have the proper hitch or sway bars to allow us to bring it with us. Imagine that.

This is a last minute trip that I threw together when my wife asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. We have rented a cabin that borders RMNP just outside of Estes Park.

It's been a long time since I was there and that's why I need your help.

I would like to know from those of you that have visited the park what are some of the "must see" hikes, drives, water falls, lakes, places to view wildlife and scenic vistas in the park. Did you find that place that was a memorable experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, I want to know.

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. I am also considering hiring a fishing guide so my son and I can get in a little flyfishing while there, can you recommend a good guide there.

Thanks again for your help.

CajunCamper

[joe]

Great Place to go, been there many times. Hikes: Bear Lake Trail Head There are four lakes on trail Bear, Nymph, Dream And Emerald Lake with great views. Fern Falls is a great hike and so is Alberta Falls, both have great views.

I think it will be a little late for the leaves in Oct, but the views will still be wonderful
.
Drive the whole park from Estes to Grand Lake

The Park has a weekly paper that gives the highlights for that we and what is going on in the park. The paper is very helpful with planning what to do for a specific week.

You can rent horses and ride through the park, I would highly reccommend this.

Never been fly fishing there so I can not help.

Here is a web site for general info on the park.

http://www.rocky.mountain.national-park.com/

The Picture is of my camper at Estes park KOA. The campground was clean and freindly with great views. Did not spend much time in the camp ground so can give a good review


joe.

[zamboni]

I'll second the Emerald Lake.  Our family has a cabin outside Grand Lake, so I spent all my summers (and many winters) there growing up.

Park Website:
http://www.rmnp.com/

Trail Ridge Road (the highway through the park to Grand Lake) may be closed by the time you are there in October... I forgot about when it closes (often by mid-October).  You can check here:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/romo/visit/weather/road.html

Here's some good info on the road:
http://www.rmnp.com/RMNP-Areas-TrailRidge.HTML


I see they've already had their first (temporary) closure:
http://www.reporterherald.com/region-story.asp?ID=12165


If you are a fan of the Jack Nicholson movie "The Shining", it was filmed in Estes Park.