Estes Park occupies an enviable swath of land at the eastern edge of the Rockies. Many claim that Estes Park, with its panoramic views and bountiful recreational opportunities, offers the quintessential Colorado experience. History certainly would support this assertion. The area has been a vacation destination for thousands—yes, thousands—of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that American Indians were drawn here to escape the summer heat. Situated 7,500 feet above sea level, the town’s elevation does manage to keep summertime temperatures comfortably cool, but it also brings an average of 63 inches of snow during the winter months. The snowfall draws hordes of skiers and snowboarders to the area, with a season that typically lasts from November until April. During the warmer months, Estes Park becomes even more crowded. The area’s landscape—dominated by craggy peaks and cut by serpentine, glacier-fed streams—lends itself to outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, and rock climbing. Estes Park serves as the gateway to one of our most popular national treasures, Rocky Mountain National Park. The park’s headquarters are located on the western side of town, just off Highway 36. Drive west on 36, connecting to Trail Ridge Road, and within an hour you’ll ascend to the alpine environment of Fall River Pass at an elevation of 11,796 feet. The great outdoors is not all that Estes Park has to offer; the downtown area features an array of shops, restaurants, and accommodations, including The Stanley Hotel, a beautiful facility constructed nearly 100 years ago in the neoclassical Georgian style. While staying at this hotel in 1973, Stephen King wrote much of the horror novel The Shining, which was later adapted into a film starring Jack Nicholson.