Plein Air Painters of Estes Park

2024 Locations

We meet at 9 a.m. and critique at noon.  Bring a sack lunch.

NO RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED IF YOU ARRIVE AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BEFORE 9 A.M. AND DO NOT GO ON THE BEAR LAKE ROAD CORRIDOR.  None of our locations are on the Bear Lake Road corridor.  If you arrive after 9 a.m., you will have to have a reservation.  Contact: 314-504-4296, cjschmidt.art@gmail.com

May 1 – Hall Ranch Open Space. Located 1 mile west of Lyons on the north side of Highway 7 (South Saint Vrain).  The upper parking lot has covered tables and bathroom.  This is a Boulder County Open Space and there are no fees.

May 8 – Pella Crossing, Longmont. Located on N. 75^th St., approximately 1 mile south of CO Hwy 66 (UTE Hwy). Ponds, mountain views, picnic tables, facilities.

May 15 – Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park on the Big Thompson Canyon, just above the narrows, a few miles from the bottom of the canyon.  North side, sign, facilities.

May 22 – Roger’s Grove/St. Vrain Greenway, Longmont.  The Rogers Grove picnic shelter is located on the St. Vrain Greenway in Longmont on the east side of Hover Street, just north of the Boulder County Fairgrounds.  It has covered tables and restrooms.

May 29 – Apple Valley Farmstead.  Apple Valley Road is just above Lyons on Hwy 36.  Turn on Apple Valley Rd at arched bridge if coming from Estes. Coming from Lyons take first left at Apple Valley Rd.  The farmstead is near the Lyons end of the road.  Has sign, parking and restroom.

June 5 – Fisherman’s Nook on the north side of Lake Estes.  Turn off Hwy 34 on Lakefront St. (next to the Quality Inn) and go to the edge of the lake. Covered picnic table, ample parking, restrooms.

June 12 – Historic Fall River Hydroplant.  Go out Hwy 34 to Fish Hatchery Rd. Turn left (there’s brown “Museum” sign indicating the turn). Go to end of road before road turns up sharply on the right. Go left to 1754 Fish Hatchery Rd.  The river, mountains, historic buildings, restrooms. Note:  Google Maps does not have accurate directions.

June 19 - Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. Entrance off Devil’s Gulch ½ mile past the MacGregor Ranch gate. Signs, parking, facilities

June 26 – Lily Lake.  Located on Hwy 7 about 7 miles south of Estes Park.  Parking, facilities.

Lake, mountains, aspen grove, wildflowers.

July 3 – Sleepy Hollow.  Picnic area on the Big Thompson River approximately 7 miles east of Estes Park on Hwy 34.  Facilities, tables.

July 10 – Endo Valley Picnic ground, RMNP – Enter through Fall River Road entrance.  Turn right at Endo Valley sign toward Old Fall River Rd.  Endo Valley is at the end of the pavement.  Take the loop almost all the way around and park where you can.  Stream, path to open meadow, facilities.

July 17 – H-BAR-G-Ranch. Turn north off Hwy 34 to Dry Gulch Rd. Go to its end and turn right at the T (CO 61). Go up H-Bar-G Rd., follow signs. Be sure to close the gate after entering.   Views of the Continental Divide, historic cabins, restrooms, tables.

July 24- Lake Estes Marina. Entrance on Hwy 34 (Big Thompson Ave) about 2 miles east of the Hwy 34/36 intersection. Lake Estes, picnic tables, boats, restrooms.  Parking fee $5.

July 31 – Wild Basin/Copeland Falls. Take Hwy 7 from Estes Park about 12 miles to the Wild Basin Entrance to RMNP. Go past the lake to the end of gravel road, about 2 miles.  Parking, facilities.  Nice at base, middle, and top of the trail.  Arrive early as parking fills up quickly.

August 7 – Cynthia Reedy’s cabin, 1551 Devils Gulch Rd., 2 miles from town.  Cabin is on left side of Devil’s Gulch Rd.  PLAN ON A POTLUCK LUNCH.

August 14 – YMCA. Take Hwy 36 west of Estes Park, then turn on Hwy 66 at the Y in road (sign indicated for this left turn), proceed to YMCA.  Meet at the Administration Bldg parking lot. Paint anywhere on grounds.  Lunch and critique at the Administration Bldg.  Restrooms, coffee shop.

August 21 – Alluvial Fan, RMNP. Take the Fall River entrance, turn right after sheep crossing sign, meet at west (second) alluvial fan parking lot. Spread out to many spots. Facilities.  Critique and lunch at tables just past the Fan.

August 28 – Upper Beaver Meadows, RMNP. Beaver Meadows entrance, go past Bear Lake Rd. and take the next left (sign, dirt road). There is a nice picnic area on the left with facilities about half way down the road OR drive to the end of the road (parking, facilities).  Return to picnic area for critique.

September 4 – Tregent Park. Small downtown park by the water wheel on West Elkhorn in Estes Park at Spruce Street. Mrs. Walsh’s Garden is across the street too. There are mountain views, flowers, Fall River, bridges.  Free parking at the upper lots, restrooms.

September 11 – Lawn Lake Trailhead. Take the Fall River entrance into RMNP and go through Horseshoe Park.  At the righthand turn for Endo Valley there is a parking lot, picnic grounds and facilities.  Meet there and spread out.

September 18 – Hermit Park.  3860 Hwy 36, east of Estes Park. Turn south at the top of Pole Hill Road before the big drop into Estes.  Go several miles in to meet at the Pavilion. Paint aspen, cabins.  Parking, facilities. Fee is $10 per car so carpool if you can OR Larimer County has free passes available at local libraries for one-week check out.

September 25 –   St. Bartholomew’s Church. 880 MacGregor Ave, approximately one-half mile from the roundabout at Hwy 34 (Wonderview bypass) and MacGregor. Park in the church parking lot, restrooms available inside.  This site has beautiful stands of aspen and cottonwoods which we hope will be turning plus a stream and views of the Twin Owls and Lumpy Ridge.