Plein Air Painters of Estes Park

Plein Air Painters of Estes Park

2023 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 CORRIDOR.  None of our locations are on the Bear Lake corridor.  If you arrive after 9 a.m., you will have to have a reservation.  Contacts: Cynthia Price Reedy, 970-980-9443, cynthiareedy@gmail.com, or Margaret Jensen, 970-577-9831, mejensenart@centurylink.net

May 3 – Vienstiem-Smith Park on the Big Thompson Canyon, just above the  narrows, a few miles from the bottom of the canyon.  North side, sign, facilities.

May 10 – 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 17 – 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 bathrooms.

May 24 – River Bend Park, 501 W. Main St., Lyons.  Western end of downtown just before the intersection of US36 and US7 if coming from Estes and just beyond the intersection if coming from the east into Lyons. Entrance to the park is on the west side of the road and is marked River Bend Park.  Sandstone cliffs, St.Vrain River, tiny homes.

May 31 – Fisherman’s Nook on the north side of Lake Estes.  Go off hwy 34 on Grand Estates Dr., right on Lakefront St. and go to the edge of the lake.

June 7 – 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 facilities.

June 14 - Lumpy Ridge Trailhead off Devil’s Gulch ½ mile past the MacGregor Ranch gate. Signs, parking, facilities

June 21 – Leslie and Mark Holdt home. Take Devil’s Gulch Rd. to McGraw Ranch Road.  Take the first driveway on the right, as you enter the drive take an immediate left and follow directional signs to a grass parking area. Majestic mountain views, gazebo, flowers, trees.  Facilities.

June 28 – Coffee on the Rocks, 510 Moraine Ave, E.P. Take hwy 36 toward the RMNP, past the Rock Shop. Coffee shop on left, paint pond or river. Parking, facilities in shop, critique and lunch at tables (shop sells food and drink). This is a business so plan on buying a drink or snack.

July 5 – No session.

July 12 – 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 19 – H-BAR-G-Ranch - Turn north off hwy 34 to Dry Gulch Rd. Go to end and turn R. at the T (CO 61). Go up H-Bar-G Rd., follow signs. Be sure to close the gate after entering.   Facilities, tables.

July 26 – Historic Fall River Hydroplant – go out highway 34 to Fish Hatchery Rd. Turn left. 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.

August 2 – 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.  Parking, facilities.  Nice at base, middle, and top.  Arrive early as parking fills up quickly.

August 9 – 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 POT LUCK LUNCH.

August 16 – YMCA. Take Hwy 36 west of Estes Park, then turn on hwy 66 at the Y in road, proceed to YMCA.  Meet at the Administration Bldg parking lot. Paint anywhere on grounds.  Lunch and critique at the Administration Bldg.  Facilities.

August 23 – Alluvial Fan, RMNP. Take the Fall River entrance, turn right after sheep crossing sign, meet at second west alluvial fan parking lot. Spread out to many spots. Facilities.  Critique and lunch at tables just past the Fan.

August 30 – Upper Beaver Meadows, RMNP. Beaver Meadows entrance, go past Bear Lake Rd. and take the next left (sign, dirt road). There is a nice parking area on the left with facilities about half way down the road.  Meet at the end of the road for critique.  Parking, facilities.

September 6  – Tregent Park is that small park by the water wheel on West Elkhorn in Estes Park at Spruce Street. There are mountain views, flowers, Fall River, bridges.  Ample parking and facilities.

September 13 – 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 20 – 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 $6 per car so carpool if you can.

September 27 –   St. Bartholomew’s Church, approximately one-half mile from the intersection of Highway. 34 (Wonderview bypass) and MacGregor Road on Devil’s Gulch Road. Park in the church parking lot, bathrooms available inside.  This site has beautiful stands of aspen which we hope will be turning plus a stream and views of the Twin Owls and Lumpy Ridge.