I-70 labor day weekend advice

[oldschoolczar]

While we're talking about Denver's populatuon explosion, IIRC, the metro area population essentially doubled betweeen 1980 and 2000 (I moved here as a kid, in 1972). Counting Boulder as a suburb, which it now is, albeit the weird one, the Denver-Boulder metroplex went from 1.5 million in 1980 to 3.1 million by 2006 -- and 100,000 people a year are moving to Colorado per year now. Of course, I have to thank a recently immigrated, kind soul who gave me a lift up the road this past Monday, when I sumitted Torreys. (You rock, Dave!)

In 1987, the first time I had a crack at a 14er, there were TWO people above timberline on the trail up Mt. Princeton (on a Wednesday, admittedly) and I was one of them. Those days are long gone.

I-70 between Denver and the Ike is now what I-25 was during rush hour was 20 years ago. Plan accordingly -- leave super early and return super late.

I was in Shanghai, China in the 80s; they rotate the worker's days off because the streets would have been too crowded if they all had the same day off.

Colorado may have to go that way and pretty soon.

http://inewsnetwork.org/2015/12/14/a-gr ... on-people/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The numbers show an estimated 7.8 million people will call Colorado home by 2040, an increase of about 2.3 million. All that growth will take a toll on the state's infrastructure as well as water and other natural resources

And that's when I move to Idaho/Montana!

[rijaca]

I bet it would be faster to go from Denver to Summit County Friday by heading south to Co Springs, then up to BV then north to Copper.

Very doubtful.

[SkaredShtles]

I bet it would be faster to go from Denver to Summit County Friday by heading south to Co Springs, then up to BV then north to Copper.

Very doubtful.

My suggestion to get to Summit Co for Labor Day would be head down to Sedalia, 67 over to the S. Platte, down to Deckers, over FS 211 to Tarryall, up to Jefferson, over Georgia Pass, down into Summit County.

Of course, YMMV.

[atalarico]

Agreed with others though on not wanting to deal with the mountain madness that weekend. If you must, I'd say try southern or northern highways (i.e. everything that isn't 285 and 70)...

Lily Lake TH (Mt. Lindsey) is supposed to be open Sept. 1. Good time to check it out.


Sure beats a Phish concert....

Do you always barf at things you've never tried? I've made quite a few converts in my day, and while it's not for everyone, I find most people who enjoy having fun at live shows, enjoy themselves at a Phish show. We're used to the haters though, and it just feeds our smug senses of superiority. I'm sure Jesus would have barf emoticon'd at people just trying to have fun too.

[atalarico]

The solution is to not go anywhere near I-70/285/RMNP on Labor Day weekend and go other places instead: Winds, Tetons, High Uintas, Sangres for a start. Plenty of other places within striking distance from the Front Range that won't be a parking lot on Monday afternoon.

I wish that were still the case, but I've even seen similar threads about crowding in the Wyoming ranges on the ol' MProj lately. The "crowds" on the Tetons this time last year felt like Colorado when I moved here 7 years ago. It was tolerable, but apparently "crowded" by their standard. It's all relative I suppose.

[atalarico]

And that's when I move to Idaho/Montana!

Which is exactly what a lot of other people are already saying, including myself...so we'll just be doing the same thing again in another area? There's no winning...well...except Alberta or BC!

[oldschoolczar]

And that's when I move to Idaho/Montana!

Which is exactly what a lot of other people are already saying, including myself...so we'll just be doing the same thing again in another area? There's no winning...well...except Alberta or BC!

Eh, you might be able to get a couple good decades before the masses catch on!

[gspup]

I wish that were still the case, but I've even seen similar threads about crowding in the Wyoming ranges on the ol' MProj lately. The "crowds" on the Tetons this time last year felt like Colorado when I moved here 7 years ago. It was tolerable, but apparently "crowded" by their standard. It's all relative I suppose.

You know you should take that complaining with a grain of salt, it is MP. I spend a lot of time in WY and MT and those self proclaimed 'locals' will bitch about anything. Whether it be climbing, fishing, hunting ect. Most of them moved there themselves and are part of the problem they bitch about.

I was in vedauwoo climbing over memorial day weekend...ya there was a lot of car campers but the crag was not crowded at all. Saw maybe 3 groups of climbers the whole time. Still not very crowded up there if you pick the right location....same as CO. I can easily get away from the crowds when I want to.

[bonehead]

I climb 15-20 peaks a summer with my partner.
We mostly see no other people TH-TH.
With no traffic issues.
Colorado is still a great place for solitude.
Too bad you I25 corridor people
live in such a sucky place.
Might as well be Kansas.

[painless4u2]

Do you always barf at things you've never tried? I've made quite a few converts in my day, and while it's not for everyone, I find most people who enjoy having fun at live shows, enjoy themselves at a Phish show. We're used to the haters though, and it just feeds our smug senses of superiority.

And just how do you know I've never experienced a Phish concert? You with the NSA? Or do you assume everyone who has heard them automatically becomes their admirer? Wrong assumption.
Anyway, main point was to get folks to check out the access to Lindsey, hoping the road will be open.

[rdp32]

Going back to the original question... does anyone have any input on how late I would have to leave on Friday night to avoid the I-70 traffic (from Denver to Aspen)? If I leave at 9:30pm Friday, will that be good enough?