09/13/2022 - 09/25/2022: All 4 National Parks in Colorado
After a whirlwind tour of all five National Parks and more in Utah within two weeks in 2021, I set my sights on Colorado as my next destination, aiming to maximize my park visits within a similar timeframe.
I visited Colorado from Tuesday, September 13, 2022, to Sunday, September 25, 2022. During my trip, I dedicated one day to Estes, three days to Rocky Mountain National Park, two days to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a day and a half to Mesa Verde National Park, and one full day to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
I planned my trip to coincide with the new moon at Great Sand Dunes National Park, an International Dark Sky Park, maximizing the visibility of the Milky Way. I am beyond grateful there were clear skies the night I was there! It was a wonderful trip.
Day 12: Zapata Falls Trail and Great Sand Dunes Recreation
Zapata Falls and Sand Dunes Recreation
Day 11: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Sunrise at Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park, High Dune Trail, Montville Nature Trail and a portion of Mosca Pass Trail, sunset and night sky at Medano Creek
Day 10: Mesa Verde National Park to Great Sand Dunes National Park
Drive from Cortez to Alamosa and wander around downtown Alamosa
Day 9: Mesa Verde National Park
Cliff Palace, Hemenway House Overlook and Soda Canyon Overlook Trail, Spruce Tree House, Step House, Long House, dinner at La Casita de Cortez
Day 8: Mesa Verde National Park
Drive from the Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose to the Retro Inn at Mesa Verde in Cortez, CO and hike Point Lookout Trail and Knife Edge Trail
Day 5: Rocky Mountain National Park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Drive from Discovery Lodge in Estes to the Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose
Day 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, Trail Ridge Road, downtown Estes
Day 3: Rocky Mountain National Park
Sunrise at Sprague Lake, Deer Mountain Trail, horseback riding with National Park Gateway Stables, and Copeland Falls to Calypso Cascades hike
Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park
Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes hike, Bear Lake Nature Trail, Trail Ridge Road
Day 1: Chicago to Denver to Estes
Flew from Chicago to Denver, drove from Denver to Estes, wandered around downtown Estes