Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is the gem of north central Colorado. If you're in the area, spend some time to experience Colorado's high-country. Hiking, camping, wildlife, ecology, and research are just a sampling of the ongoing activities in this paradise.
In a word, "Wild" is what makes RMNP different from other National Parks. Beginning with enactment of the Rocky Mountain National Park Act in 1915, the guiding emphasis of the management plan is to keep "Rocky" wild. Thoughout it's history, the National Park Service (NPS) has sought to eliminate the commercial interests within the park boundaries. Unlike other popular National Parks, such as Yellowstone, and Yosemite, the NPS has purchased private lands, razed buildings, and eliminated concessionaires. You can experience the wild in Rocky's off-trail back-country, or even on short day-hikes on well-maintained trails.
The road system within RMNP will give you quick access to some of the more popular scenic attractions. A free Park & Ride shuttle system connecting the more popular trailheads, relieves some of the congestion during the summer months.
Whatever your interests, allow enough time to experience all of what Rocky has to offer. Young and old, sightseer or backpacker, day-hiker or climber, Rocky will offer you outstanding experiences that you will take back with you, and remember for the rest of your life. And to allow others the same wild experience, practice Leave No Trace.
In a word, "Wild" is what makes RMNP different from other National Parks. Beginning with enactment of the Rocky Mountain National Park Act in 1915, the guiding emphasis of the management plan is to keep "Rocky" wild. Thoughout it's history, the National Park Service (NPS) has sought to eliminate the commercial interests within the park boundaries. Unlike other popular National Parks, such as Yellowstone, and Yosemite, the NPS has purchased private lands, razed buildings, and eliminated concessionaires. You can experience the wild in Rocky's off-trail back-country, or even on short day-hikes on well-maintained trails.
The road system within RMNP will give you quick access to some of the more popular scenic attractions. A free Park & Ride shuttle system connecting the more popular trailheads, relieves some of the congestion during the summer months.
Whatever your interests, allow enough time to experience all of what Rocky has to offer. Young and old, sightseer or backpacker, day-hiker or climber, Rocky will offer you outstanding experiences that you will take back with you, and remember for the rest of your life. And to allow others the same wild experience, practice Leave No Trace.
What to bring on your dayhike hike.....
Water (2 quarts)
Food
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Raingear
Extra clothing, insulation layers
Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
First-aid kit
Knife
Headlamp
Matches, waterproof
Toilet paper, zip-lock bag
Water (2 quarts)
Food
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Raingear
Extra clothing, insulation layers
Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
First-aid kit
Knife
Headlamp
Matches, waterproof
Toilet paper, zip-lock bag
Other cautionary points of interest....
Practice Leave No Trace (LNT).
Be aware of changing weather conditions.
Lightning threat is real and present, peaking in summer afternoons.
Hypothermia risk, avoid exposure to wet, cold conditions.
Altitude sickness, try to acclimate slowly, hydrate, avoid overexertion.
Practice Leave No Trace (LNT).
Be aware of changing weather conditions.
Lightning threat is real and present, peaking in summer afternoons.
Hypothermia risk, avoid exposure to wet, cold conditions.
Altitude sickness, try to acclimate slowly, hydrate, avoid overexertion.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Miller Rock 4x4 Trail
Mix of easy and difficult terrain. Popular hiking area.
Mix of easy and difficult terrain. Popular hiking area.
Difficult
9.2 mi/
14.8 km
14.8 km
Bunce School Road, Ironclads, Plane Crash 4x4 Trails
Three different trails combined into one
Three different trails combined into one
Difficult
13.6 mi/
22 km
22 km
Guides
Mix of easy and difficult terrain. Popular hiking area.
Devil's Thumb Pass from the Hessie Trailhead
15.6 mile trail near Meeker Park, Colorado
6.9 mile trail near Fall River Estates Subdivision, Colorado
A hike within the Roosevelt National Forest
Three different trails combined into one
Popular, mostly-easy route close to Boulder
Community Trips
Located in Loch Vale of RMNP, striking views of granite towers, a hanging valley with alpine tarns, and a class-2 climb up the side of Timberline Falls.....what an enjoyable hike. Along the way, you'll pass Alberta Falls, one of RMNP's popular destinations. You pass along the west shore of The Loch. Soon after The Loch, Timberline Falls will come into view.Climb Timberline Falls on the west side, and if the flow is not...
Crystal clear, temps in the 70's, aspens changing, you couldn't ask for a more perfect day for a hike in RMNP. Originally it was meant to be an out and back from Bear Lake to The Loch. We decided to detour towards Lake Haiyaha on our way back, giving us a chance to see Dream and Nymph as we dropped back down to Bear Lake. This seven mile loop is a wonderful way...
You'll see views of Longs Peak, Mt Meeker, Twin Sisters, Meadow, St. Vrain Mtns. Also the Mummy Range, and the Continental Divide from McHenrys Peak to Flattop Mtn.Lily Mtn (9,786') is only a 2 mile hike on a well-maintained trail; great for a 1/2-day hike to strech your legs. The summit offers some awesome views that you would not expect from the view of the summit from the highway. You'll also...
Rocky Mountain NP: Lakes, lakes, lakes!
Fall River Estates Subdivision, Colorado, United States
6.6 miles
6.6 miles
I still remember my first trip to Bear Lake ... 42 years ago. It made a big impression on a kid from Kansas. I was really happy to make a return visit!When planning this trip, I didn't know how much time we would have, and how we would react to hiking at this elevation. So my Plan A objective was to make it up to Dream and Emerald Lakes. I am sure...
Tyndall Glacier, and Dream, Emerald, Nymph and Haiyaha
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States
6.2 miles
6.2 miles
G and I left the house around 630 am and headed up to rocky mountain national park to see Tyndall Glacier. I dont think I ever saw it unless it was one of the snow piles by emerald lake!
Great views of Longs Peak (Elev 14,259'), Mt. Meeker (13,911’), Mt Lady Washington (13,281'), as well as Powell Pk (13,208’) and Estes Cone (11,006')....well worth the climb. You will catch a glimpse of Longs Pk's "Diamond", as well as Estes Park to the north, and Indian Peaks to the south.The trailhead is well marked, with adequate parking. The trail climbs 2.5 mi.s along switchbacks, through lodgepole forest, reaching a saddle between The...
Chasm Lake is tucked in below Longs Peak (14,255') "Diamond" Face. It offers some outstanding views of Longs summit, the "Loft", "Lambs Slide", the "Ships Prow", and surrounding minor peaks like Estes Cone, Twin Sisters, Mt Lady Washington. The trail to Chasm Lake is well worth the 2400' climb.
We had great weather for the climb. We met a couple on Mills Moraine
that were descending from overnighting at Chasm Meadow. They were
wearing crampons,...
This loop worked out nicely since the shuttle bus started running this weekend. After circling the lake, I went to Bear Lake and circled it as well, then made a trip up to Alberta Falls before coming back to catch the shuttle bus at Glacier Gorge.
The summit of Estes Cone (11,006') is supposed to offer some panoramic views of the only 14er in the area, Longs Peak (14,259'), as well as the east side of RMNP. Unfortunately we had a panoramic view of snow laden clouds when we summited. On the way down, the sun broke through, and blue skies were evident when we returned to the TH......good timing!The bristle cones just below the craggy Cone were...
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