Heading to Estes Park? Think again…

[PigsDad]

If you are heading to Estes Park, CO anytime soon, you may have to change your plans. Two wild fires in the foothills leading to Estes Park are causing road closures of both US 36 and US 34, the two main roads for anyone coming in from Denver. Alternate routes may also be closed for emergency vehicles.

Hope these fires are contained soon. Very smoky around here in the front range.

Kurt

 

[Krteczech]

Totally agree with PigsDad post. We are in EP full time and experienced 2020 evacuation first hand. Be considerate, be safe.

 

[CO skier]

The detour would be CO-119 west from US-36 to CO-72 north at Nederland. (Nederland has the highest per-capita ownership of VW Vans in the world, and some good spots for lunch.) It is only about 30 minutes longer than the US-36 direct route. I often take this alternate route to/from Estes Park for the scenery along the Peak-to-Peak highway and the much lower traffic volume compared to US-36 or US-34.

 

[PigsDad]

The detour would be CO-119 west from US-36 to CO-72 north at Nederland. (Nederland has the highest per-capita ownership of VW Vans in the world, and some good spots for lunch.) It is only about 30 minutes longer than the US-36 direct route. I often take this alternate route to/from Estes Park for the scenery along the Peak-to-Peak highway and the much lower traffic volume compared to US-36 or US-34.

Yes, that is the only alternate route, but w/ the other two major routes to EP closed, that road could be a nightmare. They have been advising to not travel in the area if possible, keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and required travel only.

Kurt

 

[CO skier]

Yes, that is the only alternate route, but w/ the other two major routes to EP closed, that road could be a nightmare. They have been advising to not travel in the area if possible, keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and required travel only.

Kurt

The COtrip.org site does not list any travel advisories for the alternate route or the town of Estes Park, and there is only a single vehicle in the camera photos on the route (no indication of any traffic issues). If I had a reservation in Estes Park, I would not hesitate to go, and use that route. Traffic in the Estes Park area appears entirely normal

Longs Peak Estes Park Webcam

Longs Peak Estes Park Webcam. A live webcam view of Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park from Prospect Mountain in Estes Park, Colorado.

www.estesparkwebcams.com

I just do not want any one to get scared away from taking their vacation to Estes Park.

 

[Krteczech]

I would discourage everyone to visit EP right now. We, local residents, are getting limited services, two major roads are closed and pre-evacuation plans are being suggested. Also, the air quality is at unhealthy level and outdoors activities are discouraged. I experienced 2020 evacuation and take it from me, we had two hours to pack and leave. At that time we had three Hwys open, now we have just one. We also have here large number of displaced people from areas already evacuated.

 

[PigsDad]

Since I started this thread, three additional wildfires started in the northern Colorado front range, all withing ~40 miles of Estes Park. Personally, I would heed @Krteczech's advice.

Kurt

 

[RunCat]

Since I started this thread, three additional wildfires started in the northern Colorado front range, all withing ~40 miles of Estes Park. Personally, I would heed @Krteczech's advice.

Kurt

Albeit, Lyons is now reopened. And 36 is open (per COTrip.org)

 

[klpca]

In 2003 and 2007, we had large wildfires in our region (greater San Diego). I remember thinking how awful it would be to be a tourist here during that time. Air quality was abysmal, and people were in a panic trying to evacuate, while those who were safe from the fire were in their homes with the windows shut tight to keep out smoke. It was unpleasant at best and tragic for those who lost their lives or property. I think that if someone has a trip booked in Estes Park it is time to figure out plan B. The last thing that you want to do is make the problem worse than it is already.

Here is a photo that I took from our back yard about noon during the fire.

 

[CO skier]

Meanwhile, it is a beautiful evening in Estes Park. Maybe some distant smoke on the horizon ...

 

[WaikikiFirst]

crazy smoke here in CA. Stay away. EP looking like a draw. I haven't been there since the late '80s

 

[CO skier]

Estes Park is safe enough, that it is a designated evacuation destination.

 

[PigsDad]

Meanwhile, it is a beautiful evening in Estes Park. Maybe some distant smoke on the horizon ...

Where in Colorado are you located? @Krteczech is in Estes Park, so I would put more weight to their advice. Anyone can post a pic from a web cam.

Bottom line, do what you think is best, but to think that there are no potential issues visiting EP right now is not accurate in any fashion. Remember, it is a quite small town, and their resources are being stretched w/ all of the evacuees, fire fighters, etc. Should a responsible person really visit there during this time of crisis?

Here is a map of the current mandatory evacuations for the Alexander Mountain fire:

Yikes.

Kurt

 

[CO skier]

Where in Colorado are you located? @Krteczech is in Estes Park, so I would put more weight to their advice. Anyone can post a pic from a web cam.

Bottom line, do what you think is best, but to think that there are no potential issues visiting EP right now is not accurate in any fashion.

Kurt

It is a live picture in Estes Park. It certainly takes any emotional involvement out of the picture.

Maybe Krteczech can post some pictures from in Estes Park that contradict the information on COtrip.org, area webcams and visitEstesPark.com.

 

[PigsDad]

Maybe Krteczech can post some pictures from in Estes Park that contradict the information on COtrip.org, area webcams and visitEstesPark.com.

No one is contradicting that the pictures are not accurate, however showing a mostly clear sky pic doesn't in any way mean that it is a good idea to visit EP right now. Sorry if you can't understand that concept.

Kurt

 

[CO skier]

The Estes Park air quality forecast for tomorrow is "Moderate" and the main culprit is not "Particulates" (smoke), but the usual suspect at this time of year -- ozone. I am sure the next few days will be a typical summer weekend in Estes Park with lots of vacationers and day trippers from the Front Range (who do not understand some kind of "concept") filling the streets and shops of Estes Park and creating the usual traffic jams at the east entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park. Good for them.

 

[CO skier]

Where in Colorado are you located? @Krteczech is in Estes Park, so I would put more weight to their advice. Anyone can post a pic from a web cam.

Bottom line, do what you think is best, but to think that there are no potential issues visiting EP right now is not accurate in any fashion. Remember, it is a quite small town, and their resources are being stretched w/ all of the evacuees, fire fighters, etc. Should a responsible person really visit there during this time of crisis?

Here is a map of the current mandatory evacuations for the Alexander Mountain fire:

View attachment 97158

Yikes.

Kurt

All the areas are quite a ways to the east (and why Estes Park is a refuge for evacuees). The difference in 2020 was that the fire was west of Estes Park and being pushed east by 60 mph winds. Completely different from this situation.

 

[Krteczech]

It is a live picture in Estes Park. It certainly takes any emotional involvement out of the picture.

Maybe Krteczech can post some pictures from in Estes Park that contradict the information on COtrip.org, area webcams and visitEstesPark.com.

Both pictures were taken from my yard.

 

[Krteczech]

Also, in early afternoon we had a scare of large magnitude, structure fire on Fall River Road. That is heavily wooded area. Fortunately our firefighters took care of it.

Someone suggested that EP is safe area because it is being used for evaluation of residents affected by fire near Hwy 34. Yes, we have a temporary emergency shelter here and it is being used. That doesn’t suggest that your vacation in EP would be great and safe. Neither does use of pictures from CDOT. Pictures don’t show health hazardous quality of air and stress all residents and visitors are under. This is not comfortable vacation atmosphere as far as I can tell.
Think about it similarly like Hurricane warning… would you travel to area under hurricane warning?

If you want to visit RMNP this summer, access it from Winter Park / Granby side. Play it safe.

 

[Krteczech]

Here is a short article from Estes Park local source. It shows different picture than CDOT camera in Carriage Hills neighborhood provided by COSkier

 

[CO skier]

Thousands and thousands of people will travel to and through Estes Park today to enjoy their visit/vacation, just like any other summer day, because that is what it is.

The bottleneck at the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain Park is already in full swing and will last all day. This entrance is about 2.5 miles west of the center of Estes Park.

It looks like another gorgeous day in Rocky Mountain National Park. This picture is from about 3 miles SSW from the center of Estes Park. There is not even any smoky haze.

 

[Krteczech]

 

[Krteczech]

 

[CO skier]

View attachment 97220

Is what thousands and thousands of visitors pouring into Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park will think tomorrow (just like today), and the next day, and the next day, and next week ... because the Alexander Fire about 15 miles east of Estes Park but only 7 miles west of Loveland. If there is no panic about Loveland (just a lot of smoke) down-canyon and downwind from the fire, there should be no panic about Estes Park.

 

[Krteczech]

There is no panic at EP. All visitors are welcome. However after four days of unhealthy air and pre-evacuation status for locals, it is appropriate to make people, who are planing to visit EP in August, aware of current situation. This concludes my contribution. Stay safe!