We are going to EP later this month and have been there twice before. The route in was from Denver through Boulder and Lyons.... the standard way if driving up from Texas, I would assume. The road from Lyons had too much driving with sheer drops off the road's edge for some members of my family. I know nothing about the other roads into EP, so I was curious if anyone had insight on other routes in that don't have such sheer drops as does 36 from Lyons.

It does not bother me at all. And I'm the driver so that is most important. But some in my family have anxiety about heights. And those that have anxiety anticipate and worry about things like this in the future. They are already talking about the upcoming drive negatively. At some points along 36 between Lyons and EP, the highway is along a mountain on one side with a drop on the other. If another way in had less of that, I might try that way to help out. If not, we'll be fine but thought I would ask if other's had experiences coming in other ways.

We were up in Fort Collins a week ago and drove in to Estes Park by heading south to Loveland then West. You are in a canyon nearly the whole time, and it's a beautiful drive.

I am not a fan of plummeting to my death in a vehicle so I steer clear of going above the timber line. There was nothing on our drive that made my ovaries rise.

BTW - be sure to pick up an annual pass. We got ours at the entrance to RMNP last Tuesday.

Thanks! Looks like that would be hwy 34 from Loveland to EP. I might give it a try.

Correct, it was 34.

We had a late lunch at Embers. Nice view and I thought the food was impressive.

Stopping in at the Stanley was nice as well. Probably best to do it now as it looks like they are turning it into Branson.

Take 7 from Lyons up through Allenspark

Candiru said:

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Thanks! Looks like that would be hwy 34 from Loveland to EP. I might give it a try.

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HWY34 is an easy drive and you wont experience much of what you are worried about. It's all along the Big Thompson River. The road was pretty much completely re-done after the floods in 2013. About the only negative thing you may experience is traffic.

I'm sure your family that hates the sun lives for those annual Death Valley trips.

Either 36 or 34 be sure to stop at the Cherry Pie store for goodies!

AgRyan04 said:

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Take 7 from Lyons up through Allenspark

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This route, though longer than 36 I think, offers awesome views of Longs Peak as you make your way to EP.


(Actually, I think the mountain in this photo is Meeker, but I wanted you to see the amazing chapel that is along Highway 7.)

You are correct, that is Mount Meeker! Longs Peak is just to the left out of frame

It's a little bit longer of a drive than 36 but it doesn't have the steeper shoulder drop offs like 36 does. When we used to take our travel trailer up to Estes that's the route we would take because it was a little less of a windy road and it also opens up to 4 lanes for some longer stretches.

We have a place in Allenspark now, so it is now our faster route

Also, depending on where youre staying in Estes Park, there are routes you come down to town on either side of town and skip all the "downtown" congestion