I'm taking my wife out to Estes so she can see some real mountains (all she has seen is "foothills" called mountians) and I had a couple of questions. First, what is a gallon of 87 octane going for out there? Is that midgrade there? I know I plan on filling up in Loveland before heading up US34. Also, is 470 open yet from 70 to 25N? If so, what is the toll? Last, I heard there is construction in the Big Thompson Canyon, is any big deal?

Thanks,
Chimphappyhour

http://www.estes-park.com/etcet/gethere.html

Regular gas in Colorado probably has a 85 octane rating - at least that is what I found and used in other mountain states.

CDOT
http://www.cotrip.org/
doesn't list any construction in this area.

Unless you are in a hurry, I'd suggest driving to Boulder, and then meander on back roads through Gold Hill, before finally getting to 72 (peak to peak) and driving north to Estes.

Just got back from there myself (Ft. Collins brewfest).
Unleaded regular is around $2.10 at 85 octane.
The 470 toll road is $1.70 twice for a total of $3.40

Route 6 is closed due to a rockslide. I took Route 34(?) and had to stop to drive the go carts before following the river and into Loveland.

An alternate route from Boulder is to go up Baseline for about 10 miles to the (?) lake. There is an ampitheater and some hiking trails along the way. The incline is pretty steep, but the front range view is phenomenal. Originally wanted to take 72 into Estes, but since I took the wrong road, just turned around and headed back to boulder.

Thanks for the info about boulder, but I try to avoid that town as much as I can, too much traffic. Besides, I find the drive through the Big Thompson Canyon to be a bit more dramatic with a possible side trip up Devil's Gulch Rd.

I really like the idea of 470, $1.70 isn't bad to skip the hassle of traffic in Denver. I will definitely use that!

I was wondering about the info I got about the construction in Big Thompson Canyon. I got it from the AAA internet triptik, I always find a lot of difference between what they say and what is really there. Good to hear the official DOT site doesn't have anything there.

I'll assume that any gas prices I see, midgrade is what I want while I'm there.

I really like the idea of 470, $1.70 isn't bad to skip the hassle of traffic in Denver. I will definitely use that!

Note: Times two for a total of $3.40 one way (there are two toll stops on the way from DIA to 25N. If you are coming from east I-70 it is undoubtedly more expensive with one or two additional toll stops than the ones I mentioned above.)

Don't want you cursing us California Drivers :-D

Yikes! Yeah, I just checked the total toll for what I'd planned on doing, $5.25 oneway. Not sure it is worth that, especially if they are going to make me slow down and stop three times while on the freeway. Why didn't they just make it like the Kansas Turnpike, where you grab a ticket on your entry and only pay when you actually leave the turnpike, is beyond me. I'll have to think about that one.

That ticket approach is practical on long distance tollways with a widespread limited number of exits, each of which can have toll booth. The Indiana tollway functions that way. But for urban tollways the periodic tollbooths right on the tollway seem to be more practical. Certainly that is how the ones in Chicago work. Admittedly I am a bit rusty on the use of tollways. The nearest one is in British Columbia (the Coquihalla) with one tollboth near its summit, and I haven't driven that in 10 years.

paulj

Speaking of Ft. Collins, I did that trip and started there. You can take 14 through Ft. Collins. Spend the night and enjoy the many micro brews there! In the morning continue up 14 into Poudre Canyon, (pronounced pooder), and enjoy one of my favorite rides on the Harley. Stop at the first lodge on the left when you hit Rustic. It is the Rustic Lodge. The coffee is great and the Huevos Rancheros with green chili is awesome. The road runs between two cliffs and follows the curves of the river. Bring film. Once you hit Walden you can cut south and come back through Estes heading East. Have a good trip.

Traffic through Boulder on 36 is no worse or better than 34 through Loveland. Skip the toll road, and just take I-70 to I-270, to I-25 up to Loveland, or straight on to 36 to Boulder. Going to Estes, via Boulder, then Lyons, gives you 2 choices, either US 36 through the canyon, or CO 7 which is a bit longer. No matter which way you eventually choose, all the routes are very scenic. Any construction will only be minor, and it doesn't sound like you're in a great hurry anyway. Buy the cheapest gas and don't worry about the octane, just enjoy the gearing in the E, and be aware that spirited driving eats up the gas even more so up in the mountains - but it's fun. Like everywhere else, gas prices change daily, with resort communities being much more expensive.

First time poster here -- so "hi!" :)

Anyway, I'm new out to Colorado and heading up to Estes Park with my girlfriend in a couple of weeks. Coming from the Chicagoland area, I've never really challenged my Element and doubt I'll encounter any serious challenges during this trip, but wanted to get some fresh takes on this. The thread seems to be a little dated, so are there any new stories or suggestions for a trip up to Estes Park? We're just staying at the KOA for a couple of nights, but I'm looking forward to it quite a bit.

Heya :) Actually, just took a drive up to Estes on Sunday -- were having Easter in Loveland and wanted to go up the canyon for a little drive. We just got our E a couple of weeks ago. It glided up the road and handled the curves with no problem. Did not have any engine lugging at all as we gained altitude -- our big test will be taking it up over the summit on I-80 in Wyoming, though.

Have a great trip! The weather was gorgeous, no construction, and lots of fly-fishin' going on.

Hello,
I go over the summit on I-80 several times between Laramie and Cheyenne, the Element performs really well. I usually take the O/D off for a very short period of time, but it works great. I could cruise past everyone if I wanted to.
Karma

Heya Karma,

That is great news! Spent many years going over the summit and am old enough to remember when the Summit Bar was actually in business. Our son still lives in Laramie so a trip will be in order soon :)

I just L U V my E and am glad to know that the Summit won't make it cough up a furball. :grin: How has yours done in some of those notorious high cross winds?

Cheers,
Jane

Hi Jane,

Yes, I remember the Summit Bar very well, that's going back a few years. :cool: Does your son go to school in Laramie, it's a great place.

I've been on the Summit with some pretty nasty winds, the E can be a little shaky, but I just slow down a bit. Watch the rocks from the semi's they can be pretty bad especially after they gravel the road after snowing. Hopefully we won't see much more of that this year.

Let me know how are trip goes? :grin:

Karma

Heya :) Actually, just took a drive up to Estes on Sunday -- were having Easter in Loveland and wanted to go up the canyon for a little drive. We just got our E a couple of weeks ago. It glided up the road and handled the curves with no problem. Did not have any engine lugging at all as we gained altitude -- our big test will be taking it up over the summit on I-80 in Wyoming, though.

Have a great trip! The weather was gorgeous, no construction, and lots of fly-fishin' going on.
Thanks -- I'm looking forward to my little weekend jaunt more now!

:-D

Hi Jane,

Yes, I remember the Summit Bar very well, that's going back a few years. :cool: Does your son go to school in Laramie, it's a great place.

Karma

Yep, that does go back! No, son actually works in Laramie -- but I was in school there forever it seemed -- who wasn't? Glad to know that the E doesn't just blow off the road on the summit -- One time in my ancient VW campvan back in the day the wind blew so hard it blew the top up! I thought I was gonna land in Kansas! :-D

For our Estes Traver Aquarium -- ENJOY! We had 82 degrees here yesterday and now it is spitting snow -- ah well, Monument is its own weather zone -- (a lot like Laramie only warmer!)