I have the same thing planned for July of 2014. I am starting to figure out where to stay, what to do, and how to get there. I am a new pilot (as of now I have 70 hours) and I have a 1966 Cherokee 140.

At first, for fear of mountain flying with no experience, I thought I would land on the front range somewhere and drive in. But I am not sure exactly how to do that as far as getting a vehicle rental and all that...still got lots of planning. However, recently I have thought I could try and fly IFR (I fly roads) just a little ways into the mountains to save time driving to say Estes Park where we could go to Rocky Mountain National Park; again, how to get there is still up for grabs. The location is pretty much up for grabs too, I am not a huge fan of desert areas, preferring the lush green. Someday, if I ever get a real bush plane, I'll have more fun out in the desert.

Anyway, I wondered if any of the BCP'ers had any recommendations?

Coming from Missouri (yes I'm a flatlander).
Trip planned in July as well for a week or two.
Two people (300 lbs) + a little gear
Standard Cherokee 140 with Garmin GLO attached to iPad.
Want to have at least a couple nights in a Bed and Breakfast.
Would like to camp some.
Any good ideas on cheap car transportation after we get there.

Basically, we know we need a vacation...haven't had one since our 1st year anniversary 10+ years ago, so this is a combo deal. Something she will like (romantic B&B by river or something) and something I would like...going out and climbing a mountain...or camping somewhere.

I dont know anyone in Colorado so a contact would be cool to figure this out.

Right now, today, the only way in or out of Estes Park is Highway 7 through Nederland, due to the massive flooding of a couple weeks ago, which destroyed much of the road through the Big Thompson canyon. There is no airport at Estes Park. If Highway 34 is opened again by the time you start your vacation next summer, then Fort Collins/Loveland (KFNL) is the closest airport to Estes Park--about 45 minutes drive time. Right now, it's about 2 1/2 hours. There are rental cars at KFNL.

If Highway 34 is still closed next summer, then the closest airports will be Boulder (KBDU), Erie (KEIK), or Longmont (KLMO). All have car rentals.

Many shops and other facilities in Estes Park were damaged by the flooding, but many have already reopened and are ready for business. You'll have to check closer to when you're planning, but normally there are gobs and gobs of places to stay up there.

Due to the current gummit shutdown, Rocky Mountain National Park is closed, but I suspect the stupids in Washington will have gotten their acts semi-together by next summer so that it will be open. (Note the non-political, non-party, non-finger pointing--they're all "stupids"). It's a gorgeous park and well worth visiting. Lots of camping, although in the high season, campground reservations are necessary these days.

There's also a lot of camping in non-Park areas, up through the Poudre Canyon outside Fort Collins. It was also closed due to the flooding, but it's already reopened--mostly National Forest land, and that's not being closed due to the Washington wrangling.

As your planning gets nailed down more, keep in touch. Remember that even if you're not doing any real mountain flying, you're still dealing with high elevations at all of the Front Range airports--and that means leaning on the ground before take off, much less performance, etc. All doable in a 140, but don't expect Missouri performance, especially on hot days.

Cary

Cary wrote:There's also a lot of camping in non-Park areas, up through the Poudre Canyon outside Fort Collins. It was also closed due to the flooding, but it's already reopened--mostly National Forest land, and that's not being closed due to the Washington wrangling.

As your planning gets nailed down more, keep in touch. Remember that even if you're not doing any real mountain flying, you're still dealing with high elevations at all of the Front Range airports--and that means leaning on the ground before take off, much less performance, etc. All doable in a 140, but don't expect Missouri performance, especially on hot days.

Cary

So do you think Fort Collins would be a good stop for the wife then drive over to Poudre Canyon to camp? Do you know any good places to stay ($120 a night or less?) and places to visit in FC?

Fort Collins has many motels/hotels, and there are some B&Bs, too (Trip Advisor has a list). There are some fleabag places, too, but not many, thankfully. I haven't done any pricing lately.

Like any city of 135,000, there are all kinds of things to do. Each Thursday, the local paper, the Coloradoan (http://www.coloradoan.com/), has a supplement called the Ticket, which lists all of the things to do for the next week. We have several theaters, art galleries, museums, an enormous number of restaurants, nice parks, etc.

Downtown has lots of shops--some really great shopping here, of all kinds. Our local Foothills Mall is a sore spot (run down, new owners with big promises but no action yet), but there are good malls within easy driving, if that's what she wants. FWIW, our Old Town Square area is what Disney modeled for both Disneyland and Disneyworld--a collection of old but rehabbed buildings, with shops surrounding a pedestrian area.

I mentioned the Poudre Canyon for camping. There's also camping at Horsetooth Reservoir above Fort Collins and Carter Lake above Loveland, which would be a bit closer. It all depends on what you want.

The only way to be bored here is to work at being bored. Fort Collins really is a vibrant, lively city--and of course, that makes traffic a bit of an annoyance at certain times of the day. Nothing like the megalopolises of the world, but annoying.

Cary

Feel free to drop me a line. I live in Boulder (KBDU), and am more than willing to offer advice and take you up for a ride. That cherokee 140 is capable enough - though you need to be careful about the DA and the conditions, especially 2-up. I wouldn't rent a car if you have a plane - but that's just me. Also - local instructors - I can give you references - can help get you comfortable - cheaper than renting a car.

I wouldn't rent a car if you have a plane - but that's just me.

'Course, they just might like to go farther than camping on the airport!

Cary

True, but that view of the Diamond is FAR, FAR better from the cockpit than anywhere from a car in Estes. I don't have to tell you this...

It's not cheaper either. But fly a plane to the Rockies, and rent a car to drive in them... can't see it. As my friend Windy says, "Get some local knowledge" but fly!

I absolutely agree. The perspective of flying through the mountains rather than driving through them is spectacularly different. But in a Cherokee 140, I wouldn't recommend doing it without some training--and lightening the load as much as possible. And if time doesn't permit the training, then renting a car and driving through is much better than not doing it at all.

Cary