Rocky Mtn NP

[PaliKona Profile 14er Peak List (16) 13er Peak List (9)]

Was up there today and hiked to the pond above Timberline Falls (lots of snow btwn the Loch and the pond). Didn't make it to Sky Pond as my window of free time closed. I hadn't been up in Rocky in a few years and forgot how magnificient it is! What are some of your favorite hikes there? Mine are the one I did today, the Dream and Emerald Lake hike, and up Flattop. I'd like to explore other amazing parts of the Park and hope to be inspired by responses.

[chrismjx Profile 14er Peak List (7) Trip Reports]

Hey! I was up there today as well, I wonder if we crossed paths? It was a great day for a hike to the Loch, although the snow did get to be a pain near the Loch itself. We got spooked off our perch by the dark clouds, but about a mile into our retreat, the sun came out again. Bummer... Looking forward to Sky Pond opening up over the next week or so. Will probably try again in 2 weeks.

[PaliKona Profile 14er Peak List (16) 13er Peak List (9)]

How funny...I also got spooked by the clouds coming over the divide when up by Timberline Falls and then, yeah, sun came back out 20 mins later...oh well, was gorgeous up there. I'm sure we crossed paths...I was solo with a Red Sox hat on..

[coloradokevin Profile 14er Peak List (15) Trip Reports]

Storms were certainly teasing that area all day today. We got a late start and hiked the Ouzel Lake Trail from Wild Basin, starting at about 2:30pm. Heard a few rumbles of thunder, had some rain spit on us, and were convinced we were going to get nailed by a storm on a couple of occasions. Nothing really ever materialized though.

There's a lot to love in RMNP, honestly. I enjoy the Emerald Lake trip the most in cold winter weather, simply because there aren't throngs of tourists to deal with. I like Sky Pond a lot, Lake Helene, Mills Lake, Lake Haiyaha, the Wild Basin area (Ouzel Falls was flowing very nicely today, and the whole hike down that trail puts you right beside a very nice stream). I'd also say that Longs Peak is probably my favorite 14'er, despite the crowds. I can't get enough of the sunrise pictures from the Boulderfield, and it's a fairly interesting mountain. In that same area, Chasm Lake makes a great day hike. Nearby, Estes Cone is a less visited lower elevation peak that provides good views of the area.

[dpage Profile 14er Peak List (50) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (8)]

I went up Twin Sisters Peak and then over to Twin Sisters Mountain this winter for the first time. Twin Sisters Peak West was crowded, East had a few less people and nobody else was on Twin Sisters Mountain which is just a Class 2 talus hop away from everyone else. Lookout Mtn has amazing views of Wild Basin and Meeker and was a Class 4 final summit block that was a bit of a challenge for me. Also this winter I did a variation of Deer Mtn using both the South and North Trails to loop around the mountain while going up Deer Ridge East during the same trip. The North trail opens into a meadow with great views of the Ypsilon group. And other than this first part of the South Deer Mtn trail was able to hike away from the crowds.

[mathguy Profile 14er Peak List (5)]

What are some of your favorite hikes there? Mine are the one I did today, the Dream and Emerald Lake hike, and up Flattop. I'd like to explore other amazing parts of the Park and hope to be inspired by responses.

By all means try Sky Pond again when more of the snow has melted (as well as the ice
around Timberline Falls). Black Lake is also a good destination, and is made even better
if you continue on up to the shelf above Black Lake where you're in the heart of Glacier
Gorge. You can hike around to Frozen, Green, and Blue Lakes, and you're surrounded
by magnificent peaks like Longs, Pagoda, Chief's Head, McHenry's, etc.
I'm with you, RMNP is a beautiful place.

[Doctor No Profile 14er Peak List (30) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (2)Trip Reports]

Love Sky Pond and Frozen Lake - I'll add Sandbeach Lake to the list. Beautiful, and just under the shadow of the Longs massif.

[PaliKona Profile 14er Peak List (16) 13er Peak List (9)]

I was thinking of hiking to Black Lake this Tuesday...bad idea with all of the downed trees and snow near Mills Lake and beyond?

Or, could head the other way to Lake Helene and Odessa...

[dpage Profile 14er Peak List (50) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (8)]

Went toward Helene from Bear Lake today to hike up Joe Mills Mtn. Soft snow about 50% of the way. Traction devices weren't needed, The trail was mostly easy to follow except emerging from the woods to traverse the lower slopes of Flattop.

[PaliKona Profile 14er Peak List (16) 13er Peak List (9)]

How deep...were you postholing much of the way? What's the hike up Joe Mills like? Good view?

[kimo Profile Website 14er Peak List (25) 14ers in Winter (6)13er Peak List (73)Trip Reports]

What's the hike up Joe Mills like? Good view?

Went up last winter. It takes some work and routefinding in snow but it's easy enough. The view is second to none.

Notchtop_from_Joe_Mills.jpg (342.76 KiB) Viewed 234 times

[ChrisRoberts Profile 14er Peak List (7) 13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

If you do make it up there, make sure to spot a rare view of little Round Pond!