Going to Colorado in middle of May

Any Colorado experts want to recommend can't-miss picture spots in Colorado? I'll be there in the middle of May for a week. Denver/Boulder area, but will travel if it's really worth it.

I'm interested in National Parks as well as any other features (wildflowers around in May?).

Thanks for any suggestions!

May is a little early for some spots, but the winter may be mild and end early. From Denver, I'd consider Rocky Mountain NP first. If all roads are open, go for it. The town of Estes Park is just outside RMNP and lovely itself. Boulder is also a nice town and has some parks, waterfalls, etc nearby.

sparker1 wrote in post #9114213
May is a little early for some spots, but the winter may be mild and end early. From Denver, I'd consider Rocky Mountain NP first. If all roads are open, go for it. The town of Estes Park is just outside RMNP and lovely itself. Boulder is also a nice town and has some parks, waterfalls, etc nearby.

Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about roads being closed. I was thinking about driving out for a day or 2 to Arches National Park in Utah. Do you think that would be a problem at that time of year?

shocksyde wrote in post #9114409
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about roads being closed. I was thinking about driving out for a day or 2 to Arches National Park in Utah. Do you think that would be a problem at that time of year?

I second RMNP/Estes... we have gone there the past two years right around the end of May/first of June. Weather was iffy this year, we were snowed on 3 times! Trail Ridge Road usually opens around the middle of May IIRC.

shocksyde wrote in post #9114409
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about roads being closed. I was thinking about driving out for a day or 2 to Arches National Park in Utah. Do you think that would be a problem at that time of year?

Driving to Arches should not be a problem. I-70 is usually clear except at the time a blizzard occurs, not likely in mid-May. That is a good time to visit Arches, since it won't be too hot for hiking. Lots to do around Moab, a couple days will make you wish you had more time.

sparker1 wrote in post #9117485
Driving to Arches should not be a problem. I-70 is usually clear except at the time a blizzard occurs, not likely in mid-May. That is a good time to visit Arches, since it won't be too hot for hiking. Lots to do around Moab, a couple days will make you wish you had more time.

Thanks for the info. Is that Arches in your avatar?

Moab is just shy of a 5-hour drive from Denver. The only problem with Moab is that you'll want to stay longer. There's also a ton of things to see and photograph in Colorado. Since you'll be in Denver, I also recommend Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bryan

bps wrote in post #9125306
Moab is just shy of a 5-hour drive from Denver. The only problem with Moab is that you'll want to stay longer. There's also a ton of things to see and photograph in Colorado. Since you'll be in Denver, I also recommend Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bryan

Yeah, I keep doing this to myself. Earlier this year I went to the Grand Tetons and ended up visiting Yellowstone for a day. I wanted to stay for a week, haha. I got lucky with good weather and hit up a lot of the spots I wanted to, so it worked out OK.

I really think it'll be worth it to hit up Arches for a day or two. The pics I've seen look awesome.

shocksyde wrote in post #9118053
Thanks for the info. Is that Arches in your avatar?

My avatar is a much-PS'ed image of Delicate Arch, perhaps the most famous formation in Arches NP.

drive about an hour and a half south to colorado springs, more specifically mantitou springs.. i'd imagine there's a good chance pike's peak is open, great view from up top, and awesome photo-ops along the 20 mile drive up..

Yep, RMNP, garden of the gods out by Co Springs, and if you are up for a pretty drive, head into the mountains. The Maroon Bells can be gorgeous (near Aspen), but I'm not sure how accesible it will be.

RMNP for sure! Unless we get a freak May snowstorm, getting to Estes Park will be cake. Don't count on Trail Ridge Rd being open that early though, but it will all depend on how much snow the high country gets this winter. With it being an El Nino year, can probably bet on a few big dumps in March/April. But, it's not to say there are not great spots.

1. RMNP, there is plenty of driving throughout the park from the east side, even if Trial Ridge is not yet open. You can hike up Old Fall River Rd (generally not open till june) in RMNP. It's about 12 miles and 4,000ft of elevation gain, but some beautiful areas, especially just above treeline, but below the Alpine visitor center (which won't be open if Trail Ridge is not). Other countless hikes in RMNP and Indian Peaks Wilderness. If interested in more info, PM me.
2. Red Rocks Park/Amphitheater outside Denver in Morrison. Just off C-470 and Roxborough State Park south of C-470 in Roxborough Park. For Roxborough State Park, sunrise is best as the foothills shield the rock features at sunset.
3. I-70 corridor: Stop in Idaho Springs, quaint mountain town, eclectic little shops. Get off I-70 just before the tunnel and go over Loveland Pass (stop to take your pic with the sign and the 20ft snowbanks that have been snowblown by CO DOT)) and go toward Keystone/Dillon. Lunch at "Backcountry Brewery" in downtown Frisco. Tasty micro brews!
4. If you go to Arches, do yourself a favor and make the drive through Colorado National Monument outside of Grand Junction/Fruita. You won't regret it! And BTW, from the road thru CO Nat. Mon, if you have an SUV, you can gain access to a hiking trail (via a 5 mile lght/mod 4wd road) to the largest concentration of natural arches outside of Arches NP. Any stock 4wd SUV (with low range ideally if it's wet) with decent clearance can make the drive to the trailhead.
5. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
6. If you don't mind solitude and a dose of the plains...Pawnee Buttes outside of Raymer, CO. Beautiful at sunrise or sunset!
7. A sunrise against the Flatirons. Set up off hwy 93 south of Boulder near El Dorado Canyon. Return to the same spot for a sunset, especially if there are high and mid level clouds.
8. Mid-May is usually the Erie Town Fair. They have a balloon festival which is one of the largest hot air balloon launches outside of the balloon festival in New Mexico. By early next year they should have dates, just google erie town fair colorado. The hot air balloon launch is usually done about 6:30am Sat/Sun mornings at Colorado Nat'l Golf Club (formerly Vista Ridge GC) weather/wind conditions permitting of course. They've only scrubbed 1 launch b/c of winds over 10mph in the last 5 years. The golf course is in Erie off hwy 7 just west of I-25. Free roadside parking, and a suggestion, get there early and go to the volunteer table as many of the crews solicit for volunteer passengers to go up in the balloons for FREE as balast, but it's the early bird that get's the ride, so get there early and you may get a free hot air balloon ride with an incredible view of the mountains to the west. Not exactly a photo op everybody gets. My wife and I and our neigbors go every year as it's less than 10 minutes away.

I agree with the suggestions on RMNP, lots to see there..also leaving Estes Park is a "peak to peak" route that ends in Golden. It goes through some beautiful views, and follows Clear Creek River. Estes Park alone is beautiful and RMNP is awesome!

RMNP.

Take an early morning hike to Dream Lake for sunrise. Or to Emerald Lake. Whichever you pick they are both nice. But be there for sunrise. On the way back, you may catch some good light at Nymph Lake for something...there can be lilly pads on it but not sure if they will be blooming or not.

Sprague Lake is an easy spot to get to with Hallet Peak in the background.

Trail Ridge Road *may* be open depending on snow. There are some decent views up that way.

Boulder there are the Flatirons.

Roxborough State Park is close to Denver, and offers some cool red rock formations.

Maroon Bells is nice, a bit of a drive to Aspen. If you get there early enough for sunrise you can drive in. If you wait too long they make you take a shuttle bus. Not sure what snow would be like at that time. I was there in June last year and it was nice and green.

Garden of the Gods has all sorts of interesting things.

Ouray/Telluride/Buena Vista areas have some awesome scenery.

If you want some company up in RMNP or something for photos, let me know and I'd come if available.