Best hikes in RMNP?

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Craig Cook
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by Craig Cook »

peter303 wrote:You might also consider entering the park from the west side too. There can be half hour lines on the Estes Park side on summer weekend afternoons. You can still exit by Estes Park if you want to see the town.
My wife and I are staying at a cabin in Estes Park, so we'll be entering from the east side. However, all our hikes will be on weekdays - although I don't know how much difference that will make in July, haha!!
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barbiesue53
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by barbiesue53 »

A great hike is to Mtn Ida. About 9.5 RT, starting at the Poudre Lake Trailhead (toward the west side of the park). The views are stunning as you travel across the Divide. Enjoy your time in the RMNP.
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summitstep
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by summitstep »

Dream lake is lovely but there will be crowds. However when you reach dream lake you can take a trail to lake Hiayaha which is very cool and rocky and not as much travelled and you get a different view of Hallett. Sky pond and the Loch will always have my vote
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snowypeaks
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by snowypeaks »

A nice, loop day hike...

Bear Lake --> The Loch --> Andrews Glacier --> Andrews Pass --> Flattop Mtn. --> descend to Bear Lake on Flattop Mtn. trail. ~12 miles.

Enjoy.
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by Jay521 »

snowypeaks wrote:A nice, loop day hike...

Bear Lake --> The Loch --> Andrews Glacier --> Andrews Pass --> Flattop Mtn. --> descend to Bear Lake on Flattop Mtn. trail. ~12 miles.

Enjoy.
I have done that route (except I started at the Glacier Gorge TH) and I second the nomination. A fun, fun day.
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acidchylde
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by acidchylde »

You don't really mention length or difficulty, though you mention some plans. What do you like most in a hike? Running water? Lakes/points? Views? Up on ridges or enclosed in bowls? As open or above treeline as possible, or lots of in the forest?

A couple of shorter ones: In my opinion Dream/Emerald is the shortest, quintessential RMNP hike. It is of course probably one of the busiest too, but I feel like it captures the essence of the park in a fairly short distance. Another hike I like that's reasonably short is the Cub Lake/Pool loop (I prefer going clockwise, but either way is good). Mills/Black and the Loch/Glass are good - can always do both. Someone mentioned Hiayaha. There's actually a connecting trail between the Mills/Loch junction and a point not too far from that lake. I sometimes go to up to the Loch (and beyond) via Glacier Gorge and Alberta Falls, then return via that connecting trail, coming down over/by Emerald. There are a *lot* of loops you could make from Bear Lake, but it is one of the busier hubs in the park. Sometimes having shorter options to string together is nice in case you want a 'relaxing' day.

Any of the hikes out of Wild Basin are pretty good, but parking is limited down there so get in early. Also means fewer people though. Note with the bridge out at Ouzel, if the new one isn't finished by then, you have some considerations.

On the west side North and East inlet trails are the best from what I remember, but I don't spend a lot of time over there and haven't been in a while.
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MtnHub
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by MtnHub »

Can't really go wrong with any in RMNP, but for an "easier" (read: non-14er) hike, I've always loved Sky Pond. If you leave early enough you can escaped the majority of the crowds.

I'll be in Estes Park the last full week of July. If you're around during that time, shoot me an email. I plan to do Longs at least once during my stay and I'd be happy to have you along.
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by Alpine Guy »

Since you're staying in Estes, you should really consider the Gem Lake hike as a nice local warmup hike. Terrific views of Estes Park and the Divide, and there's a very scenic pond at the top. While the hike is short, there is plenty of elevation gain to give the legs and lungs a workout.
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acidchylde
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by acidchylde »

Alpine Guy wrote:Since you're staying in Estes, you should really consider the Gem Lake hike as a nice local warmup hike. Terrific views of Estes Park and the Divide, and there's a very scenic pond at the top. While the hike is short, there is plenty of elevation gain to give the legs and lungs a workout.
You can also make a loop out of that. I did it once going along Lumpy up Black Canyon, then down to Cow Creek with a short detour up to Bridal Veil Falls, then back up and over Gem.
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by Turtle Boy »

acidchylde wrote:You can also make a loop out of that. I did it once going along Lumpy up Black Canyon, then down to Cow Creek with a short detour up to Bridal Veil Falls, then back up and over Gem.
I've done this the other direction and agree, this is a spectacular loop.
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Craig Cook
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by Craig Cook »

Absolutely loving the suggestions so far!

I see Mt. Ida and Sky Pond are getting some extra love, so I'll definitely have to look deeper into those hikes.

Enjoying the ideas for short hikes as well - I see Gem Lake mentioned, as well as others earlier in the thread - so that maybe we can do multiple hikes on one of our days.
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Re: Best hikes in RMNP?

Post by CODave »

Shelf and Solitude Lakes above Glacier Gorge provide some awesome scenery.
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