Trail Notes Newsletter: Quiet Roads, Cozy Shops & A Town on the Edge of Winter

The town slows down. The air turns cold and clean. The trails go silent except for your footsteps and the occasional rustle of elk on the move.

If you’re here this week, you’re not just passing through. You’re part of a rhythm that most never notice. It’s the hush before the holiday music starts, the flicker of snowlight in a shop window, the steam curling up from a mug in your mittened hands.

This week isn’t flashy. But it’s meaningful. And in a world that rarely slows down, that makes it worth celebrating.

Sip, Shop & Celebrate the Season

The holidays are kicking off in style at the Estes Park Events Center with one of the season’s most anticipated events—the 6th Annual Holiday Wine Festival happening Saturday, November 29, 2025.

This year’s celebration brings together 20+ Colorado wineries, along with craft and artisan vendors, festive activities for families, and yes—free photos with Santa.

🎟️ What Your Ticket Includes:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Fun:

Whether you’re sipping local reds, browsing handmade gifts, or soaking up the cozy mountain vibes, this is a perfect way to start your holiday season in Estes Park.

🗓️ Saturday, November 29, 2025 | Estes Park Events Center
🌐 estesparkholidaywinefestival.com
📞 Info: (970) 218-4545

Q: The more you remove from me, the clearer I become. What am I?

(Scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)

Higher elevations are seeing real snowpack, but many lower trails remain accessible, especially in mid-morning sun.

You’ll want sturdy shoes and layers, but it’s a perfect time for peaceful walks with crisp air and snowy views.

🥾 Low-Elevation Trails to Try This Week:

🚨 Safety Tip: Start late (9:30–10:30 AM), bring water, and don’t hike after 3 PM without headlamps—light fades fast.

Estes Park’s most magical tradition is back! The Catch the Glow Parade lights up downtown with over 40 sparkling floats, local marching bands, holiday characters, and a visit from Santa himself.

✨ Why You Should Go:

📍 Friday, November 28, 2025 | 5:30 PM | Elkhorn Avenue

🧣 Bundle up, bring a thermos, and arrive early for good viewing. The mountains will echo with music, laughter, and twinkle lights. It’s small-town magic at its best.

Not every cabin has a full kitchen—and not everyone wants to cook. These restaurants are offering Thanksgiving Day meals with mountain charm.

Reservations are strongly recommended.

🍽️ Confirmed Thanksgiving Dining in Estes Park:

📞 Call ahead—spots fill up fast, especially for dinner hours.

Join the community as Bond Park lights up for the season!

This festive gathering includes live music, family activities, and the official lighting of the town’s holiday tree.

It’s the perfect way to welcome winter—warm drinks in hand, surrounded by mountain cheer.

Before (or after) the big meal, stretch your legs with this easy town loop:

🗺️ 1. Start: Bond Park
🧣 2. Stop at: Macdonald Book Shop
🍪 3. Grab a snack at: Cinnamon’s Bakery or Laura’s Fudge
🎨 4. Duck into: The Art Center or Earthwood Collections
💧 5. End at: The Riverwalk benches with a warm drink

You’ll get a little nature, a little shopping, and a whole lot of mountain-town charm—all walkable within 60–90 minutes.

Still Waters, Wild Moments – Captured by Jessica Payne

This week’s photo takes us to Sprague Lake, where a moose and her calf wade through the glowing reflections of a clear day.

The light dances on the water’s surface, casting a magical shimmer around this quiet, intimate wildlife moment. It’s a reminder that even the most powerful creatures move with grace in these mountains.

📍 Location: Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
🕯️ Conditions: Bright, clear day with reflective light
📷 Photographer: Jessica Payne

Thank you, Jessica, for sharing this rare and beautiful moment with the Trail Notes community.

If you’ve noticed original music in some of my recent posts — you're not imagining it.

Over the past year, I started writing and recording songs when I couldn’t find the right sound to match the mood of Estes Park. What began as a quiet creative outlet has turned into something unexpectedly meaningful.

Now, folks are asking where they can hear more… and believe it or not, about 10 songs a day are being downloaded.

So, I’ve made them available on Bandcamp for anyone who wants to listen, share, or support: 👉 estesparkresortguide.bandcamp.com

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. It’s a gift to know these mountain-inspired songs are finding their way into your lives.

Do you have an amazing shot of fall in Estes Park?

🍁 A golden aspen trail?
🦌 A perfectly timed elk photo?
🎃 A festival moment you captured?

Send it our way! We’ll pick one reader-submitted photo to feature in next week’s Trail Notes Newsletter, along with your name and photo credit.

📧 Submit your photo using this link: Estes Park Resort Guide – Photo & Video Submission Form

📅 Deadline: Friday, November 28 at 5 PM MT

📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide

“Hike in the sun, shop in the shade.”

With colder mornings and short afternoons, planning your day around the sun makes all the difference.

 Hit trails between 10 AM and 2 PM—especially if you’re sticking to icy paths.

Save indoor fun (shops, galleries, bakeries) for early morning and after 3 PM, when shade and cold take over.

Bonus: By the time most people are just getting to town, you’ll have already had your fill—and your photos.

“This is what gratitude feels like.”

Estes doesn’t throw a giant Thanksgiving parade. It doesn’t have skyscrapers or shopping chaos. What it offers is more subtle—and more special.

It gives you space.
It gives you silence.
It gives you permission to slow down.

Gratitude here isn’t just about turkey and pie. It’s about noticing the crunch of frost under your boots. The kindness of a shopkeeper who has time to chat. The sun hitting a snow-covered peak just before dusk.

This week, you don’t need to do anything to feel thankful.

Just being here is enough.

A: A window. 🪟