davidgpedersen
New member
On Saturday, I drove my 2013 Leaf S up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a day of fly fishing. Posting here to let you know it can be done, and pretty easily. The elevation difference is appx. 2800 ft (Louisville is 5335' and Moraine Park where I fished is 8150'.)
I left Louisville early on Saturday morning and did a quick top-off at Boulder Nissan. I was at 100% charge when I left home and 96% charge when I arrived at Boulder Nissan. Within about 45 minutes, I was back at 100% charge.
I made it to the Safeway in Estes Park with 51% charge remaining, thanks to some careful driving on the way up. I got some coffee at the Starbucks there and headed on into Rocky Mountain National Park. I arrived at my fishing spot with 41% charge remaining.
I fished from about 8:30 am to about 3:00 pm. Caught 9 trout.
I headed back home without a recharge. At the top of the grade coming out of Estes Park, I had 27% charge remaining. At Lyons, I was at 36% charge (it only charged up about 9% on the way down the mountain). I coasted in eco mode, rather than braking, as much as I could. I've only had my Leaf for about 5 weeks, so I have a lot to learn about the best way to do these things. As I came through Boulder and past the Nissan dealer, I had 19% charge remaining, so I didn’t stop. As I headed down South Boulder Road toward home, it was clear I was going to make it home, so I turned the AC on. Outside temp was 87, so it was nice to have the ac on.
I arrived at home with 9% charge remaining and 9 miles left on the range guestimator. My total miles from Boulder Nissan, up to RMNP and then back home to Louisville was 101 miles on one charge. I might’ve made the complete trip from Louisville up and back on one charge, but it would've been scary close as I was coming home.
I drove with a pretty light accelerator foot, in normal drive mode going uphill and in eco mode going downhill.
I knew of a couple places to charge up with my level 1 charger in Estes Park, even though I chose not to. There are currently no level 2 chargers up there, but the city has plans to put some in, which will make this trip much easier in the future.
If you're pondering such a trip and wondering if it is doable, go for it. It is doable. Enjoy!
Dave
I left Louisville early on Saturday morning and did a quick top-off at Boulder Nissan. I was at 100% charge when I left home and 96% charge when I arrived at Boulder Nissan. Within about 45 minutes, I was back at 100% charge.
I made it to the Safeway in Estes Park with 51% charge remaining, thanks to some careful driving on the way up. I got some coffee at the Starbucks there and headed on into Rocky Mountain National Park. I arrived at my fishing spot with 41% charge remaining.
I fished from about 8:30 am to about 3:00 pm. Caught 9 trout.
I headed back home without a recharge. At the top of the grade coming out of Estes Park, I had 27% charge remaining. At Lyons, I was at 36% charge (it only charged up about 9% on the way down the mountain). I coasted in eco mode, rather than braking, as much as I could. I've only had my Leaf for about 5 weeks, so I have a lot to learn about the best way to do these things. As I came through Boulder and past the Nissan dealer, I had 19% charge remaining, so I didn’t stop. As I headed down South Boulder Road toward home, it was clear I was going to make it home, so I turned the AC on. Outside temp was 87, so it was nice to have the ac on.
I arrived at home with 9% charge remaining and 9 miles left on the range guestimator. My total miles from Boulder Nissan, up to RMNP and then back home to Louisville was 101 miles on one charge. I might’ve made the complete trip from Louisville up and back on one charge, but it would've been scary close as I was coming home.
I drove with a pretty light accelerator foot, in normal drive mode going uphill and in eco mode going downhill.
I knew of a couple places to charge up with my level 1 charger in Estes Park, even though I chose not to. There are currently no level 2 chargers up there, but the city has plans to put some in, which will make this trip much easier in the future.
If you're pondering such a trip and wondering if it is doable, go for it. It is doable. Enjoy!
Dave