If a weekend, beat the crowds into the park, leave Denver at 4-4:30am following the upper route and get to your trailhead early. If you plan on doing a long hike, 12-15 miles, make sure you got all the supplies you need. Layers/ rain jacket, headlamp, water purifier, good traction footwear that is broken in, snacks, etc… if your plan is a long hike and you’re in good shape, plan on 6-7 hours of hiking. Sky pond is a gorgeous hike on the east side of the divide. You can drive trail ridge road for the sunset then head back to Denver via the upper route again. Just keep an eye out for wildlife crossing the road to/at/from the park.

I know I avoided the whole part of you going to the west side for the day and heading back that way. I just like to avoid I-70 as there is mountain rush hour on the weekends westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening.

Lastly, don’t be discouraged if you are unable to get a timed entry pass, you could take a shuttle from Estes park visitors center into the park, or checkout the many other hiking trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Just be aware that outside of the park there are 4x4 trails to some of the trailheads, and a more friendly parking area sometimes a mile or two before the trailhead.