Rocky Mountain [Colorado] National Park Part 5

The United Airlines, operating 18-hour transcontinental service through Cheyenne, connects with Wyoming Air Service for Denver, which in turn connects at that point with the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co.

service to the Rocky Mountain National Park. From the south, T.W.A., Inc., and American Airlines, in their transcontinental services through Albuquerque and El Paso, respectively, connect with Denver by the Varney Speed Lines.

ALL-EXPENSE CIRCLE TRIPS

Five special all-expense tours from Denver to the park and return to Denver are offered by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. from June 15 to September 20. Denver is about 85 miles from the park, and for $16 (transportation cost only) you can make a 2-day trip, entering the park through picturesque Big Thompson Canyon, crossing the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains twice, and stopping at Grand Lake, Estes Park, Clear Creek Canyon, Idaho Springs, and Lookout Mountain. This tour affords fine panoramas of the Rocky Mountains from elevations above 12,000 feet. Another 2-day tour follows the same route but includes lunch at Estes Park, dinner, night's lodging, and breakfast at Grand Lake Lodge, and lunch the second day at Idaho Springs. The cost is $22.

The 3-day tour is leisurely enough to permit the traveler to spend a night at Estes Park Chalets and 1 at Grand Lake Lodge. The cost is $27, including meals and lodging. The 4-day trip includes 2 nights at Estes Park Chalets and 2 at Grand Lake Lodge; the cost is $32. On the 6-day trip which costs $44, 3 days are spent at Estes Park Chalets and 3 at Grand Lake Lodge. These tours are leisurely and permit ample time for fis.h.i.+ng, horseback riding, or hiking.

Tours similar to the above, but connecting with the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad at Granby, are available at the same rates. Special all-expense tours from Granby, through the park, to Estes Park and Denver are available also at similar rates.

TRANSPORTATION IN THE PARK

The traveler who has no car available or does not wish to drive his own machine in the mountains may take advantage of the special trips offered from June 15 to September 20 by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. at Estes Park. The Trail Ridge, Fall River, and Highdrive loop trip of about 50 miles costs $5 and requires about 4 hours. One can go in the morning, leaving at 8:30 o'clock, or in the afternoon at 2. The Estes Park-Grand Lake trip of about 47 miles costs $5 one way and $8 for a round trip. One can leave Estes Park at 8:45 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Two other daily loop trips are made from Estes Park for $4 a person. Stops are made at the Fish Hatchery, Horseshoe Park, Fall River Lodge, Fern Lake Trail, Brinwood Hotel, Stead's Hotel, Glacier Basin, Bear Lake, Sprague's Lodge, and the Y.M.C.A. Cars leave Estes Park at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Proportionate charges are made for anyone not desiring to make the entire trip. Between September 20 and June 15 these rates apply only when four or more pa.s.sengers make the trip.

Touring-car service is also available at 30 cents a mile for two pa.s.sengers, 40 cents for three, 50 cents for four, and 10 cents a mile for each additional pa.s.senger. Waiting time costs $3 an hour.

Pa.s.senger and freight service within the park is operated by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. under a franchise from the Secretary of the Interior, with rates approved by him.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND EXPENSES

The seven hotel and lodge operations in Rocky Mountain National Park are conducted with private capital under franchise from the Secretary of the Interior at rates subject to his approval.

This booklet is issued once a year and the rates mentioned herein may have changed slightly since issuance, but the latest rates approved by the Secretary are on file with the superintendent.

HOTELS AND LODGES ON PARK LANDS

_=Bear Lake Lodge=_, located on Bear Lake, offers cabin accommodations, ranging in price from $2.50 to $3.50 a day and $15 to $20 a week. Meals: Breakfast, a la carte; luncheon, 65 cents to $1; dinner, $1 to $1.50.

Rates, American plan, range from $4.25 to $6 a day and $26.50 to $34 a week.

_=Fern Lodge=_, on Fern Lake, offers cabin accommodations, without bath, American plan only, at the same rates charged at Bear Lake Lodge.

_=Forest Inn=_, located at "The Pool" on Fern Lake Trail, offers board and lodging (tents) at prices from $3 to $4 a day and $15 to $20 a week.

For cabin accommodations the charge is from $4 to $5 a day, and $20 to $25 a week. Single meals are 75 cents each.

_=Grand Lake Lodge=_, near Grand Lake, open from June 15 to September 20, operates on the American plan and rates are from $5 to $7 a day; weekly rates 10-percent reduction of daily rates. Single meals: Breakfast, 75 cents; luncheon, $1; dinner, $1.25.

_=Brinwood Hotel=_, at the head of Moraine Park, offers American-plan service at from $3.50 to $6.50 a day and $21 to $40 a week. Saddle horses may be rented at $2.50 a half day, $4 a day, $21 a week, and $75 a month.

_=Camp Woods=_, at the junction of Bear Lake and Moraine Park roads offers housekeeping cottages at from $2.50 a day for two persons to $6 a day for six persons. By the week: From $14 for two persons to $35 for six. By the month: From $45 for two persons to $60 for five persons.

_=Sprague's Lodge=_, in the Glacier Basin, provides American-plan accommodations at the following rates: By the day, $4 to $6; by the week, from $24.50 to $40; 4 weeks, $84 to $133.

PRIVATE HOTELS, COTTAGES, AND CAMPS

There are many hotels, lodges, and camps located on private lands in or adjacent to the park. The National Park Service exercises no control over the rates and operations of these hotels. Furnished cottages may be rented in Estes Park, Grand Lake, and elsewhere on private lands in or adjacent to the national park. Information concerning hotels and cottages not under the control of the National Park Service may be obtained by writing the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Estes Park, Colo., or the president of the Grand Lake Commercial Club, Grand Lake, Colo.