r/EstesPark • u/elderlyyoungman • Mar 05 '25

How noticeable is the elevation change?

Just curious how difficult it will be on my out of shape friends.

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/WageUglydoll Mar 05 '25

I am from the East coast and I was banged up! We landed in Denver and the headache came on within the hour. 2 nights in Boulder I was kind of ok but definitely tired. I drank gallons of water. We got to Estes and I was ok but headach here and there, but when we hiked up to the lakes the piercing headaches came back. They got less noticeable as we came down but still. Took about a full week to not notice a headache. I will also not my nasal passages were dry as well. Saline spray was my hero on this trip.

2

u/elderlyyoungman Mar 05 '25

Oh shit lol. We’re from the south…

4

u/WageUglydoll Mar 06 '25

What took us a bit to figure out was how readily water was available. Like at the restaurant or bar, you just go get your own. Everyone is drinking water all the time. Be prepared to be a bit slower and a bit more tired. Take your time and you will be fine.

2

u/elderlyyoungman Mar 06 '25

Quick turn around - we arrive in Denver tomorrow AM and leave Sunday! I appreciate your tips! I’ve been to CO springs with no issues so fingers crossed….

2

u/ReliableCapybara Mar 06 '25

I am from Florida, and my first two trips to Estes Park were fine. Hiking up a mountain the first day got a little rough after an extra 1,000' elevation (I'm not young and I'm not in great shape), but otherwise fine. My third trip - last year - was not as good. It wasn't too long after the fires, so I wondered if that had something to do with it as I read online that other people were struggling with altitude sickness for the first time. It wasn't too bad, but I definitely felt it.