Ft Collins Co to SLC ... Wed 23 July

[RS_Non-Res]

Change 'O plans - I've got an extra day.

Traveling from Ft Collins to SLC, tomorrow, Wed 23 July.
Original plan was via I-80 and Rawlins b/c we couldn't get out of Ft C until late. But looks like 10:30 departure now.

Thinking about going through Estes Park/RMNP then "western slope"(?) to Dinosaur.
Probably more or less TV Tourism looking out the truck windows, unfortunately but short hikes OK
Will need a place to spend one night too. Maybe Granby. doesn't have to be special...Choice Hotels likely fall back.

What/where else?

 

[wytx]

I-80 has a super load moving today, no traffic will get by it. It goes form Laramie to Arlington Exit.
Other routes should be taken if you need to travel at the wrong times.

Superload will impact travel on I-80 this Wednesday

Laramie, Wyo. – The Wyoming Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that a slow moving superload carrying a transformer will be transported from Laramie to Medicine Bow on Wednesday, July

www.wyomingnewsnow.tv

 

[dylanvb]

I was just up at the Getaway Inn in Grand Lake last week and it is definitely a nice place to check out. It is right off the road when you are leaving the west side of the park. Seems like Grand Lake has something going on every night in summer plus the town has some good dinner options. Pretty spot to check out.

 

[LFC911]

Certain times of the day you may need a reservation to drive through ENP.

 

[dylanvb]

Certain times of the day you may need a reservation to drive through ENP.

Yes, I believe it’s 9am-2pm

 

[RS_Non-Res]

Somebody lost his drivers license so we almost spent the “extra time” driving home.

RMNP has timed entry by reservation only from 9:00 to 2:00. Entry line wait time skyrockets at 2:00. Lots of elk nursery herds visible from the road. Pika and marmots. There’s a one-way dirt road over the pass that I would have liked to take but I missed it on the map and the Mrs gets unbearably panicky on stuff like that. Got to run a couple miles on a paved trail at 12k. Kid found an island on a tarn on which he is going to build his dream house (in the Park, right?)

Wife likes these places… Stinky ponds @ $30/day pass. We’ll see if she wants to try the free hippie ponds in Steamboat.

Smokey meat at Yampa River Icehouse was really good. “Dad, your quesadillas are good but this brisket Q is great.”

Hotels in Steamboat and Ft Collins are stupid expensive. Like $200/night for Quality Innthat should be $80 max.

Headed towards Dinosaur this morning.