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Denver forum: Denver to Grand Canyon - TripAdvisor
My son is planning to go backpacking in North America September/October 2006 he will fly into Denver about September 25 he wants to visit the Rocky Mountain National Park and then carry on to the Grand Canyon and from there to Las Vegas and Los Angeles flying out on October 27.
What are the chances of him doing this without a car?
He will be 18.
postShaken_Bake Littleton, Colorado
Joined: Apr 2005
Forum posts: 1,421
185 Denver, Estes Park
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Hi Kelly, you son will HAVE to do it without a car because an 18-year-old cannot rent a car in most U.S.
States because of the high accident risk (you have to be 21 years old, and a hefty surcharge applies if you're under 25).
That being said, it won't be an easy trek, but it is possible to go by bus or fly between Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
I think his only way to get to Rocky Mtn.
Nat. Park from Denver will be to get a tour bus, such as Gray Lines (http://www.coloradograyline.com/rmnp.html).
There's not even commercial bus service from Denver, at least as far as my research could find!
Even if your son could get to Estes Park, there would be a lot of hiking to do to get inside and around the park.
This part of his trip might be the most difficult to arrange.
Unfortunately, the American west is not an easy place to get around if you don't have a car.
Your son may have to plan his itinerary around the major cities that he can fly to.
Backpacking here is nothing like in Europe where you can take the train everywhere.
Report inappropriate postdragonflylady Williams, Arizona
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100More about dragonflylady...Posted on: 28 January 2006, 4:51 Save You have to be 25 to rent at almost all rental companies.
I am not familiar with busses or tour companies in Colorado but there are a few in Arizona.
One is Open Road Tours which will take you to different places including the grand canyon.
Www.openroadtours.com And he can either take Amtrak in Flagstaff to LA or take grey hound.
At least this gives you some options.
Report inappropriate postImagist Bend, Oregon
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95More about Imagist...Posted on: 28 January 2006, 6:15 Save The biggest difficutly may be getting to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car.
There is a shuttle from Denver International Airport called the Estes Park Shuttle ($85 RT) that will get him close to RMNP.
There is a trail through Estes Park called the Fall River Trail, but it doesn't go all the way to RMNP yet as far as I know, so I guess he could hike on Fall River Road the rest of the way.
If he plans to camp in RMNP, he must get a permit and he can only camp in the designated camp spot he has reserved.
It might take him quite a walk just to get to his designated campsite.
A site called protrails.com has good information.
He might also contact The Warming House for assistance.
If nothing else, they will know he's in the park and where he is going to be camping - you never want to go hiking or backpacking in Colorado without someone knowing you are there and when you are expected to return.
Flying or the greyhound bus are the only ways to get from Denver to Las Vegas and LA without a car.
Also, hitchiking is not a good idea.
It should be a great adventure for you son!
Report inappropriate postPstreet1 Rosarito, Mexico
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destination expertfor Rosarito
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I think you haven't realized just how vast the distances are here.
Take a look at the site www.mapquest.com
The distances are considerable.
I live in Phoenix and Denver really isn't a one day drive.
Grand Canyon is a good drive from Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is hours from Los Angeles.
Was he thinking of hiking those distances?
Using a public bus?
If he's thinking about using a bus, he should investigate Greyhound bus company;
They used to have something like a 30 day, unlimited mileage, pass;
That might serve him well.
There is an inexpensive airline here called Southwest Airlines.
They, too, could serve him well;
I think they serve the major cities he is considering;
I know they serve Denver and Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Good luck.
Report inappropriate postdragonflylady Williams, Arizona
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100More about dragonflylady...Posted on: 29 January 2006, 1:33 Save Hi again Kelly
I have to stess not to allow him to hitch hike in the states.
Its not a good idea at all.
Especially for an inexperienced 18 yr old who isn't familiar with the states.
Its just not safe.
In the mtns of Colorado and Arizona he could hit snow in October so hiking it I'd reconsider especially if he's not familiar with the geography or the weather/climate.
I'd look into getting him some kid of pass with grey houd bus company and then once he is in Flagstaff he can take the amtrak to LA.
Make sure you get him a prepaid cell phone so he has some way of getting ahold of someone in the states who can get ahold of you.
A prepaid phone card is also a good idea.
http://www.greyhound.com/home.asp
www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer…
Report inappropriate postcoloradodave Boulder
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More about coloradodave...Posted on: 06 February 2006, 20:09 Save Hi Kelly,
My name is Dave and I run the ProTrails.com website mentinoned above by Imagist (thanks for the mention by the way!).
I live here in Boulder, Colorado and am intimately familiar with Rocky Mountain National Park.
A car really is mandatory to explore the west in America.
It is simply too big and due to the nature of the remote places your son wants to go, being without a car or reliable transportation can be most inconvenient, but also quite dangerous.
For example, you really can't "walk" into Rocky Mountain National Park, per se.
And hitchiking is NOT recommended in America.
Anyhow, feel free to email me at www.protrails.com if you have any additional questions.
Thanks!
Dave
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