also, if we decide to go for breckenridge (which I am leaning towards), is it an easy (and open) drive to the south entrance to RMNP?

From Breckenridge, you will have to go over Berthoud Pass (Interstate 70 to 40) through Winter Park (past Grand Lake) to enter RMNP from the west. Otherwise, you would have to go to 119 (Peak to Peak) or even 93 to 36 (through Boulder)to Estes Park for the other (east) entrance.
Lots of dead/brown trees in the Grand Lake area these days, by the way. It's an easy drive to Sulphur Hot Springs (http://hotsulphursprings.com) from there, which you might enjoy.

Why did you start a new thread?
Will the west entrance even be open if Trail Ridge Road is closed. What would be there--I don't recall much. Estes Park is on the east side.
Can she not go to Silverthorne, up Route 9 to Kremmling and then 40 to the Park. It's a flatter road to travel for sure. I wouldn't necessarily add Berthoud Pass to the mix especially if there is snow. DD lived in Winter Park for a year, and after I went over that road (in good weather) I prayed for her through the winter!!
I haven't stayed in Grand Lake but is there much mountain scenery there? Like you would have in Breck.

Yes, the West entrance is open if Trail Ridge is closed. It is closed on both sides part way up.http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/visitor_centers.htm#CP_JUMP_587766
We've always gone over Berthoud Pass to Winter Park with no trouble, but 9 to 40 would work, too (a bit longer drive?).

Hi, I called the park. They said the west entrance will be open for only 10 miles but that 10 miles is right at the bed of the moose and elk area - which is why we want to go. The ranger said if it's dry, it's perfectly safe. Just take our time. So just to check the weather.

In any case, I went ahead and submitted my request for the ouse in Breck.

Thanks!

I think you will do better in Breckenridge. We love Grand Lake, but it is relatively isolated.

I would not do the drive from Breckenridge to Grand Lake's west entrance to RMNP. Especially as a day-trip, because it can be a long drive. We drive it in the summer, to Winter Park via Kremmling, and it's a nice drive through rolling hills and ranch country. But there can be LOTS of deer on that road which makes it tricky.

There are so many day-trips from Breckenridge, I suggest you stay closer to your home base.

It has been a while since we did our loop through the Park and back to Denver so I checked. We even stopped to do some trout fishing so time was seemingly OK.
It seems that Breck to the Park is about 100 miles or so via the Route 9/Route 40 route I suggested, and a bit further (in addition to going over Berthoud Pass) via 70 and 40. Estimated about 2 hours or so.
That doesn't seem too difficult for a day trip to see the elk and moose, hopefully. ;o)

OP, if you haven't quite made your plans yet, Frisco might offer you something also. Or it might be a good place to spend a day. They apparently have a sledding hill but you have to bring your own (it says).

http://www.townoffrisco.com/activities/winter-recreation/

Thanks everyone. I just booked a house in the outskirts of Breckenridge, 4 miles to be exact. So where else can we see elk and moose in abundance in the area?

PeaceOut, can you suggest some day trips? We'd like to see some moose please!

Leadville has a great mining museum and other sites (1 hour drive if weather is good).
Moose are often seen in the stream area just inside RMNP on that side.
p.s. mapquest gives the total mileage as a bit more going on 9 and 40, but it would probably be less traumatic than Berthoud Pass if you aren't used to mountain driving.

If you go to Leadville, your 2 1/2 year old boys would probably love the Leadville National Fish Hatchery where they can see and feed trout.

maria, I think it is a lucky occurrence if you see moose in the wild, especially in the winter. We drive to and from Winter Park all the time, and rarely see them. When we do, it is in the springtime, and one might be seen at the bottom of Berthoud Pass, in a swampy area just past Mary Jane ski area. But there's no guarantee.

One spring a few years ago, a female moose seriously chased my husband on his bike. DH was on a very rocky trail, going uphill, and must have inadvertently come between the cow and her calf. He said he was going as fast as he could (he's a very good mountain biker), and the moose was literally breathing down his neck and charging him. Finally, she gave up, thank goodness. It could have been nasty.

When you drive I-70, west from Denver, you can often see bison around Genesee.

If you are deadset on seeing moose, you might contact RMNP and ask what are the chances to see them on that west side in December. It would be a drag to drive that far and not see any.

From Breckenridge, you can easily go to Vail for the day, or Beaver Creek. Of course, Keystone and Frisco are practically next door to Breckenridge.

Glenwood Springs isn't too far, and Aspen is another 45 minutes from there.

This map shows the area near Breckenridge. http://breckenridgecolorado.whattodo.info/Breckenridge-CO/Maps/Summit-County/40/

With only 4 nights, you will have plenty to see and do right near Breckenridge.

I live in Texas. 2 hours is nothing. My husband drives 45 min each way to work every morning. I'm more concerned of road conditions. Thanks sylvia3. At least that still keeps it an option for us. I was a bit worried about going over the pass. Having said that, we've done the hoosier pass in April. Is that lame compared to berthoud pass?

thanks peaceout. similar story, we were camping at a ranch near Austin where they raise long horns. the guys went mountain biking and carried their walkie talkies with them. the ones at camp overheard one of the guys over walkie talking sayins "s@#!, the cow is after me!!!". We all laughed but of course it wasn't that funny.

Good idea to call the park. the ranger I talked to did say the 10 miles that the park was open was where the herd hangs out in so I took that to mean we could see some but perhaps we should just double check to make sure we don't waste our time.

Berthoud Pass isn't as bad as some think, because it is well-maintained and there are passing lanes and retaining walls. DH and I actually prefer it to the straight up and down freeway experience of Eisenhower tunnel. We feel you have more control on the pass.

But if it's snowy, windy, foggy-- it can be a white knuckle experience on Berthoud. You could go that route there, and return the other way, weather permitting. The other route takes you along the Blue River for awhile, and it has wide open vistas. Both drives can be spectacular, given clear weather.

If you go through Winter Park, eat dinner at Hernando's. It's a great family place with wonderful pizza. In Grand Lake, we like to eat at Grand Lake Lodge, but it will probably be closed in December. I don't think the new owners keep it open in winter, nor did the previous owners. Good Mexican food in Grand Lake is Pancho and Lefty's.

PS What if you stayed two nights in Breckenridge and two nights in Grand Lake or Winter Park?

Sorry to monopolize your thread. I just looked up Pancho and Lefty's and its reviews aren't great. We have eaten there yearly since the 70s, and always thought it was fine for our family.

Even if the weather turns too nasty for driving distances, there's plenty to see and do locally; ice skating (in Breckenridge, and Keystone Lake is also nice), sledding, sleigh rides (even some with dinner at the end), all the winter fun stuff.
If you do go on a day excursion to the western entrance of RMNP, it's fun to wander the main drag of the village of Grand Lake; lots of shops and restaurants, pretty setting.

so is hoosier pass not as hair raising? Since I've done that one, I just want a comparison so I have an idea and can decide better. we did that one in April so it was snowy (several feet of snow on some parts), it wasn't sunny but wasn't raining and I didn't think it was too bad.

All good points. Peaceout, I have read somewhere about Pancho's and Lefty's too. If the weather is nice, I'd like to go to RMNP south entrance. We once travelled 2 1/2 hrs from one side of smokey mountain ntl park just to see a herd of elk (which is why I also assumed I'd just see some moose at the south entrance because that's how it was at smoky mountains, that's what i get for assuming!). My boys are so into animals that I think it may be worth it and if the weather is nice, we'd maybe go through berthoud pass and then the other way through the blue river as suggested to see both vistas. did the beartooth highway (beartooth pass) in montana and absolutely LOVED it and it was windy and steep. all good options depending on how we're feeling.

Oh, and I just booked the 2nd house in Breckenridge this morning(the first one fell through) so too late to change but I also prefer to have a base instead of packing up the belongings. We are staying in Denver the first 2 nights to get acclimated before heading higher up in elevation.

The plan is to go for a day trip to estes park and RMNP east entrance on our second day from Denver to get a taste of the higher altitude (and to see that side of the park) before heading to Breckenridge the next day.

You could probably combine those days. PLEASE do some of the suggestions I made for Denver for little ones. You have honed in on making this all about snow. You can get "caught up "on snow pretty quick. I completely love that you are doing this, but there are also other things that little ones will love.
You really might not need to go to the east of RMNP--just a thought. Stay in Denver (acclimation will be similar). go to the butterfly pavilion, zoo, museums IN Denver.
Just a question--are these your first grands? Ain't it fun!!

hiya gretchen. yes of course i will keep some of your suggestions! i just like having options so that when we get tired of snow, we can do whatever else and not have to struggle to find ideas. why i want to take them to see moose and elk at the park. i am loving the idea of stopping to grab some food in grand lake, stopping at winter park, etc. ithe owner of the ouse i'm renting suggested some places in breck for the kids too. she already has sleds we can use too. thanks for all of your suggestions.

also, they''re my first (and only ) kids/twin boys - not grandkids.

OH, sorry, but glad. It is often grandparents that want to do this kind of thing with 2 year olds!!
When they are a bit older, do a dinosaur tour with them around Denver and Colorado.

To answer your question about Hoosier Pass vs. Berthoud Pass (I drive both of them pretty frequently). It depends on the weather, of course, but I find Hoosier Pass much easier than Berthoud - and the distance up and down the pass is shorter. The road for Berthoud Pass is reasonably wide and well-maintained, though not as wide or maintained as I-70, which is a major trucking route. You can just play it by ear - when you're there, what the weather is like, whether Berthoud Pass or the other route (through Silverthorne) to Grand Lake is in better condition. Though IMHO, doing all that driving with 2 1/2yos in the car just to possibly see moose wouldn't be worth it to me. Playing in the snow or going sledding would be a much better use of time. But again, a decision you can make there and then.

Thanks for that comparison Lexma! That helps a lot. It's also to see the scenery on the way there and back. I would also like to check out winter park...

if seeing elk is the main point of going to rmnp, leadville might work. when i lived there a rancher on the north side of town fed them. i recall seeing them every afternoon on my way home from work at copper mtn. i'll try to find out if he's still feeding & post back.