Cozycabin

09/13/2024

09/08/2024

Happy September in Estes Park! 🦌🎶🍂

September in Estes brings the thrilling bugle of elk, lively bagpipe tunes at our Long's Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival, the iconic Estes Park Elk Fest, and breathtaking fall foliage.

Click the link below to read more about all the exciting events and experiences we have lined up this month. Then, plan your Estes Park September Soiree today!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Zc8Ujc

09/08/2024

It's getting to be that time of year in the Rockies.

08/19/2024

Have you been dreaming of a Rocky Mountain escape during the autumn elk rut and Aspen leaves turning? We've had a rare opening Sept 8-14. Message me for details or go to our VRBO or Airbnb sites listed on this page.

08/03/2024

This image helps us understand the difficulty of fighting mountain wildfires. The highway pictured (34) is closed to traffic and being used to contain one side of the fire.

Alexander Mountain Fire Quick Facts - August 3, 2024
9,375 acres
5% Contained
389 Personnel
Weather today will continue to be hot and dry near the fire area. Fire crews will focus efforts on holding and improving line north of Highway 34 and near Cedar Park.

08/01/2024

Due to extreme fire danger, the extended weather forecast, and current fire activity in the State of Colorado, 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸. This ban is effective beginning today, Thursday, August 1, and will remain in effect until further notice.

When fires bans are in effect, this means that all campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not permitted anywhere within Rocky Mountain National Park. However, petroleum-fueled stoves and grills may still be used in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and in designated wilderness campsites. Stoves must be able to be turned on and off.

Smoking is also prohibited inside the park, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Visitors are reminded to properly extinguish all lighted smoking materials and dispose of properly. Fireworks are always prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. The last time a total fire ban (Stage 2 fire restrictions) was in place in the park was in August of 2020.

Image Credit: NPS

07/31/2024

Update, 7/31 at 10:45am:

Visit Estes Park is closely monitoring the Alexander Mountain Fire in the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest in Larimer County and the Stone Canyon Fire in Boulder County. We remain in close contact with local officials to inform our updates. As fires can be a rapidly evolving situation, we strongly encourage all visitors to check official resources and only travel with caution.

At this time, there are no evacuation orders for Estes Park. There are several road closures, including Highway 34. Highways 36 and 66 (Ute Highway) have reopened. If traveling is essential, please pay close attention to all posted signage and follow the directions of personnel on the ground to ensure your safety.

We are grateful to the many agencies working continuously to keep our communities safe.

For the latest updates on the Alexander Mountain Fire:
Joint Information Center (JIC) open 8am-8pm @ (970) 980-2500
U.S. Forest Service: https://www.facebook.com/usfsarp
U.S. Forest Service InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coarf-alexander-mountain-fire
Larimer County Sheriff's Office: https://www.facebook.com/larimersheriff
Text LCEVAC to 888777.
Go to www.nocoalert.org for a map of the evacuation area.
Watch Duty: https://app.watchduty.org/i/28640

For the latest updates on the Stone Canyon Fire:
Boulder Office of Emergency Management: https://boulderodm.gov/
Text BOCOinfo to 888777
Watch Duty: https://app.watchduty.org/i/28640

07/31/2024

Rocky Mountain National Park staff are working closely with our agency partners on both the Alexander Mountain and the Stone Canyon Fires, which are outside of the park. Because these fires are evolving, it is important for all visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park to plan ahead and be informed of possible closures and route changes.

U.S. Highway 34 between Loveland and the town of Estes Park remains closed. U.S. Highway 36 and CO Highway 7 are currently open in both directions. As conditions can quickly change, it is recommended to check road status before and while traveling.

Park visitors are encouraged to pay attention to information shared by local officials and travel with caution. For information on the Alexander Mountain Fire, visit www.nocoalert.org. For information on the Stone Canyon Fire, please visit https://boulderodm.gov/.

Image Credit: NPS

07/12/2024

Temperatures are forecast to increase beginning today through this coming Monday. Be prepared! When recreating in the Rockies on hot summer days, follow these safety tips:

💧 Drink plenty of water - Stay hydrated and drink before you feel thirsty. Plan to carry extra water when recreating. Sports beverages can help replace electrolytes lost from sweat.

☀️ Wear sun-protective clothing - When recreating, don't forget your hat, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

🏔️ Pace yourself - Start your hike slowly and pick up the pace gradually as you go up in elevation. Take time to rest in the shade when available.

Image Credit: National Weather Service Graphic

06/12/2024

06/01/2024

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season!

Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures, visitors should be prepared for icy conditions.

Weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations. Park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line when/if the road status changes.

Alpine Visitor Center, Trail Ridge Store and the large adjacent parking area are closed to all uses. Visitors must adhere to the barricades. Visitors entering the closure area will be cited.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry permit reservation system in place during certain times of day. To learn more, visit http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 26. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest on June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 18.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - Trail Ridge Road, taken near Rock Cut

06/01/2024

Didn't get a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation? The Hiker Shuttle offers service from the Estes Park Visitor Center in the town of Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub.

Hiker Shuttle reservations are required to ride. To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647, use the Recreation.gov mobile app, or call 1-877-444-6777.

When making your Hiker Shuttle reservation, remember to reserve tickets for the total number of people in your party. One reservation is valid for 1 to 4 tickets. If there are more than 4 people in your party, a second person with a second Recreation.gov account will need to make a second Hiker Shuttle reservation.

Additional Hiker Shuttle reservations are released daily on Recreation.gov beginning at 7 p.m. MDT the night before the day you'd like to ride.

All passengers need to be fully prepared to spend their day outside. If heading to Bear Lake, wear layers of clothing and footwear good for walking on ice and snow. Traction devices are advised. Pack water and snacks. There are no food services available at RMNP's Park & Ride or at the Estes Park Visitor Center.

For additional information and a list of Questions & Answers, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses-and-public-transit.htm.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - a Hiker Shuttle bus is ready to pick up passengers at the Estes Park Visitor Center

05/31/2024

Elk calves and other wildlife are being born in Rocky.

Newborn elk are born scentless, which helps protect them from predators during this vulnerable time. When elk mothers are ready to forage for food, they will cache their young in a protected and quiet place.

If you see a lone elk calf, do not approach! These animals have not been abandoned- their mother is nearby and keeping watch.

For your safety and the safety of wildlife, keep far away from any young wildlife. New mothers are very aggressive. If you see a young animal, do not approach or disturb it! If wildlife react to us, then we are too close. It is illegal to feed, approach, or harass wildlife.

For more wildlife viewing tips, visit the park's webpage at https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/wildlife_view.htm

Image Credit: NPS Photo

05/28/2024

This Discovery Center is a 30-40 min hike from

With the recent opening of The Moraine Park Discovery Center, which provides visitors to the park with opportunities to explore the rich cultural history and ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Conservancy has committed to support the update of the center’s static exhibits and hire a seasonal ranger to lead and develop programming at the center. Sitting in Moraine Park, the Moraine Park Discovery Center is housed in the historic Moraine Lodge assembly hall and provides expansive views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Big Thompson River. The center provides Rocky visitors with the opportunity to explore the rich cultural history and ecosystems of the park and to attend informative and engaging ranger led programming, pop-up programming and discovery tables, and ranger-led hikes. Visitors can learn about the geological processes that have formed the Rocky Mountains, plants and wildlife found in the area, and the history of Moraine Park as a tourist destination at the turn of the twentieth century. The center is the perfect location for visitors to learn about the park before continuing with exploration of Rocky Mountain Park. You can help by becoming a member or giving at https://rmconservancy.org/😊

05/28/2024

We drove up Trail Ridge Rd to Rainbow Curve where the road is closed and still being cleared of snow. As you can see, snow has been falling recently and is still piled high. I wonder if workers can get it open to the Alpine Visitor Center before the next storm comes through on Friday.

05/28/2024

🐻 Be bear aware when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. You can help protect bears and other wildlife by never leaving food or scented items unattended.

Keep all food and scented items within your reach. This includes when hiking, camping, and when going on a picnic. Never leave your backpack unattended, even for a few minutes.

Another important way to protect bears and your property is to always close your doors and lock your vehicle.

Bears have excellent senses of smell and they know how to open vehicle doors. Bears will try to open vehicle doors to look for food rewards. Never leave a cooler or any other food or scented items in the back of a pickup truck or under a pickup topper. Bears can easily climb into open pickup trucks or open topper shells to look for food.

When available, use bear lockers to store all food and scented items (lip balm, lotion, soaps, toothpaste, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, anything with a scent). When camping, never place scented items in a tent!

Thank you for helping to protect Rocky's black bears and keep wildlife wild!

Image Credit: NPS Photo

05/06/2024

A High Wind Watch is in effect starting 6 AM MDT Monday for wind gusts up to 75 mph for parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, the northern and southern Front Range Foothills.

05/06/2024

Winter leaves in fits and starts with high winds today and more snow expected tonight.

05/05/2024

Be Bear Aware 🐻 Spring is here and black bears are waking up from their winter slumber.

You can help protect bears and other wildlife by never leaving food or scented items unattended. Keep all food within your reach. When hiking, this includes never leaving your backpack unattended, even for a few minutes.

Another important way to protect bears and your property is to always lock your vehicle doors. Bears have excellent senses of smell and they will open vehicle doors to look for food. Never leave your coolers or other food items in the back of a pickup truck.

When available, use bear lockers to store all food and scented items (lip balm, lotion, soaps, toothpaste, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, anything with a scent). Never place scented items in a tent!

Thank you for helping to keep wildlife wild!

Image Credit: NPS Photo

05/02/2024

The elk are molting and the bulls are growing back velvety antlers: spring in the Rockies!

04/20/2024

Mule Deer looking for breakfast this morning.

04/20/2024

Spring snows are not uncommon in the mountains, even into early June. Last night's snow is already starting to melt away.

04/16/2024

The iconic red tram cars will continue to ascend Prospect Mountain and offer riders some exceptional mountain views.