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Thanks for that feedback, Emily! The official website for RMNP has up-to-date news on trail conditions, so take a look before you head out. Thanks for all the tips on your other articles, really helpful. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 8 Comments. Hi guys I am a big fan and lived by your Sedona hikes. Cheers, Julie. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. And you can also visit the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the USA. Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. What a fantastic list of RMNP hikes! Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. Before our trip, I purchased The Essential Guide to Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park by Erik Stensland. It can be very windy and cold here, and in true Rocky Mountain fashion, the weather can turn without much warning. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Middle Taylor Creek. To get a parking space here, plan on arriving no later than 6:30 am, but even earlier is better. If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you dont get a ticket, you can still enter the park after 3 pm but you will not be allowed to drive down Bear Lake Road. Hikes in this guide are chosen and reported on by experienced members of the Colorado Mountain Club. Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Location: Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. On the way down, you can hand your backpack to a friend and then scoot your way down on your butt. As you arrive at the end of the lake, take in the views of Chiefs Head Peak over the lake thats just behind you in the distance. Be prepared and ask your shuttle driver in the morning what times they stop at Fern Lake to line it up with the end of your hike. Over 60 people have died attempting to summit Longs Peak. Obviously, there are more than the hikes listed in this blog post, but if you are visiting for the first time, these will keep you plenty busy and give you a taste of the different environments and ecosystems in the Park. Bearfoot Theory participates in affiliate programs with a variety of retailers and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, including Amazon, REI, Backcountry and others. It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. Its an extra 0.8 miles to the shuttle stop on the dirt road. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide. Bear Lake Trail Image by Wendy Harrison Lawrence via Alltrails Distance: 0.7-mile loop Elevation: 49 feet Difficulty Rating: Easy Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. There will also be three amazing lakes. Colorado, USA. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. Its both scenic and strenuous, and thats what makes it one of Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes. If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. Skirt around the eastern side of the lake and onto a rocky area that juts out over the water to get a spectacular look at Mills Lake from a different angle. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. In the morning, this can be a beautiful place to watch the sunrise. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. I absolutely loved it. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. And for Rocky Mountain National Park, it is. Honestly, this is not the most exciting hike on the list. Get our top tips for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park including when to go, where to camp, hiking tips, how to beat the crowds, and more. Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial . This challenging trail is a fantastic way to get panoramic park views without attempting something quite as hard as Longs Peak. At 14,259 feet, the only fourteener on this list, the trek up Longs Peak is one of the most epic hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. Ida. I have been in RMCP for four days now, and did skypond, emerald lake and Hiayaha, Ute to tombstone, and deer mountain. Do we need a AWD car ? For restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to Estes Park. That book is pure gold. During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. and most convenient. Continue on until you reach Chasm Meadows with its flowing streams and beautiful green grass. 7 best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park By Julia Clarke published November 23, 2022 Crunch through the snow surrounded by dazzling peaks on some of the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park Thanks for sharing!!! Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. Best price and money back guarantee! If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. From here it takes an hour and a half to drive to Estes Park, the gateway into Rocky Mountain National Park. Julie Last updated: January 17, 2023 United States 9 Comments. All of the products we recommend we stand behind, and we appreciate your support! Over the next half of a mile, snow and ice can remain on the trail well into June. You also have the option to purchase the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass ($70) or the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and valid for all of the national parks for one year). This is where the views really start to open up and you can see across the valley towards Longs Peak. This book was released on 2020-04-01 with total page 256 pages. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. That means picking up any trash you see on the trail, practicing good trail etiquette, and being respectful to other hikers. Wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, big peaks, and more. PRO TRAVEL TIP: It can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler on the alpine tundra than in Estes Park or Grand Lake. If the parking lot is full, park in the large parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road. This is your spot to turn around and descend back to Ute Crossing. Driving distances and times to nearby destinations: If you are on a road trip through Colorado, I recommend driving the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way, either before or after your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Lake Haiyaha, Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park boasts a wide variety of attractions and wildlife in its different ecological zones, like mountains, alpine lakes, forests, and tundra. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. There are numerous hikes for all fitness levels and ages, and a variety of scenic vistas. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. As you head down into the gorge towards Odessa Lake and Little Matterhorn can be seen directly ahead. To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. For families with young kids and for those who dont like to do a lot of hiking, I recommend the easy stroll around Bear Lake plus the hike to Alberta Falls. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. The biggest feature of this hike is the wildlife, such as elks, marmots, or pikas, and the incredible gardens of the alpine tundra. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park #1 Trail Ridge Road #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center #3 Downtown Estes Park See Full Ranking List Tours & Sightseeing Discover Rocky. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. Leave from Bear Lake. This is a tough fourteener and many people who attempt it never make it to the summit, turning around early because of storms or the difficult conditions. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to plan the perfect itinerary. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. Numerous trails start right from this spot, so if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, this is a great place to visit. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. Always pack rain gear and be alert, even on a clear day. Thanks Dave! Its one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to get great views of the Continental Divide, and a great trail to acclimate to the altitude before tackling the more strenuous hikes on this list. This gives you a wonderful view down into the gorge below as the Icy Brooks waterfalls tumble down the mountainside. This loop trail is 0.7 miles in length and can be busy at times. Plan on going back to Black Lake and pushing for some of the higher elevation ones from there in a few weeks, Blue, Frozen, Green and Italy. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Required fields are marked *. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here is more information for your trip. . You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. Have you hiked this?. Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip Length of Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy Location: This hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the very end of Bear Lake Road. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The sweet spot months are from late May until mid-June and from early September after Labor Day until mid-October. CCY Route (Chapin-Chiqiuta-Ypsilon route) Bluebird Lake. Through this post, I have come to know a lot more about these adventurous hiking trails in Rockey Mountain National Park. Read the reviews of your fellow travelers. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. The way up to here is known to have snow and icy conditions at about 3.8 miles in, which doesnt melt until mid or even late June. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. Rocky Mountain National Park's 30 Best Hikes Explore an adventure playground full of 14ers, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of trails. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Odessa Lake & Fern Lake. Elevation Gain: 1,062' Max Elevation: 10,210' Winter Skill Level: Beginner Why it rocks. In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. The answer to this question depends on several factorsthe time of year you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, if you are traveling with children, how much you like to hike, and if you are acclimated to the higher elevation. There are very few paved trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Begin here, at Glacier Gorge, and hike for a quarter of a mile over Chaos Creek until you see the trail split. Phone +1 970-586-1206. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Required fields are marked *. Here are the best section hikes on the John Muir Trail that require less than a week to complete. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, put Longs Peak on the top of your list. There are plenty of great hikes you can choose from that dont climb high into the mountains. The trailhead serves as a starting point for several different routes, including a short loop around the stunning Bear Lake. No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it. Get There Early: There are two important reasons to begin your hikes early in the morning in Rocky Mountain National 1)The trail head parking lots fill up early, and 2) in the . Thanks for your comment. For those with an interest in historical sites, make sure you visit the Holzwarth Historical Site and learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. 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