This publish was written by Megan MacGregor, BMTM’s nationwide parks skilled.
Think about standing on the high of the world, surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks that appear to stretch endlessly into the horizon. A herd of elk graze in a lush meadow throughout a glacial river, and close by a waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff. You are taking a deep breath of crisp mountain air, your shoulders open, and a way of peace swells in your coronary heart.
Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you happen to journey simply 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado, mountain peaks substitute excessive rises, and the bustle of the town fades into the whisper of nature in considered one of America’s largest parks. Rocky Mountain spans 415 sq. miles and has over 60 peaks reaching over 12,000 toes. It’s identified for its glacial lakes, tundra ecosystems, and plush forests of aspen and evergreen bushes.
Early explorers thought of constructing a railway system to the realm, a standard development to improve tourism to distant areas. Nevertheless, not solely did the rugged terrain make this pricey and difficult, however the park’s unique advocates believed trains would negatively have an effect on its pure magnificence. Instead, they advocated for the development of roads, minimizing the affect on the surroundings whereas nonetheless making the park accessible.
Now, over 100 years later, Rocky Mountain National Park has the very best paved highway in the US, making it the most effective choices on your subsequent adventurous Colorado highway journey.
The place to Begin Your Road Trip
There are two important entrances: one to the east, via the city of Estes Park, and to the west, via Grand Lake. Denver Worldwide Airport, the closest, is an hour and a half from Estes Park and three hours from Grand Lake.
Whereas it’s doable to loop via the complete park and attain each cities, take note this isn’t mandatory to expertise its full magnificence, so be sure you time it out and plan your route accordingly. Both route will take you onto Path Ridge Road (see under).
Examine the park’s web site for highway closures and development updates earlier than you begin your journey.
Path Ridge Road
Path Ridge Road, the very best steady paved highway in North America, weaves via Rocky Mountain National Park and connects the cities of Estes Park and Grand Lake. An iconic image constructed through the Nice Melancholy, the roadat its peak reaches an elevation of 12,183 toes. A number of overlooks and pullouts supply overwhelming panoramic views of the encircling mountains and valley whereas passing via a wide range of ecosystems.
As you ascend the highway, you’ll enter an alpine surroundings of fragile tundra vegetation and clear streams. I visited in August, and snow nonetheless capped the peaks. Be mindful: components of the highway are closed through the winter due to heavy snowfall.
If you happen to’d like an added journey, try the Alpine Ridge Path, which winds via the tundra and affords a simple 20-minute hike with little to no elevation. Outdated Fall River Road is a historic unpaved highway that may divert you from the first route and affords a extra rugged driving expertise. I opted in opposition to doing this highway, primarily as a result of it’s one-way, and I might find yourself at a facet of the park I’d already visited.
Continental Divide
A couple issues to bear in mind on your highway journey: Deliver a map, and drive fastidiously! The winding roads climb into the mountains and in some spots are extremely steep.
That is undoubtedly the case if you attain the Continental Divide, a geographical line working north to south via the park and dividing the watersheds of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This distinguished characteristic reaches an elevation over 12,000 toes, making it one of many highest factors within the park. Either side of the Continental Divide has distinct climates and ecosystems, with the east characterised by drier situations and the west being extra lush and forested.
If you happen to’re up for an journey, hike the Continental Divide Scenic Path, a 29-mile route that follows the ridge of the divide and has an elevation achieve of 5,000 toes. It’s doable, nonetheless, to discover this path with out taking the complete hike.
Greatest Stops on Your Rocky Mountain National Park Road Trip
As you make your means across the park, cease on the customer facilities alongside the best way, the place you’ll discover bogs, memento outlets, and snacks. Rangers are more than pleased to reply questions, and you’ll study extra in regards to the space’s historical past, wildlife, and geology. The customer facilities additionally provide park and climbing path maps, so you may plan your day accordingly.
Greatest Climbing Trails
Over 300 miles of climbing trails weave amongst glacial lakes, via tundra meadows, and up towering peaks. There are numerous problem ranges, so ensure to consider your expectations, distance, and elevation earlier than you begin.
Bear Lake: very straightforward
Bear Lake Path is an especially straightforward .7-mile path that loops round Bear Lake and solely has an elevation achieve of 47 toes. If you happen to’re with babies or aged folks, this can be a nice path to begin, however needless to say it’s very crowded in the summertime. Both means, I like to recommend beginning on the Bear Lake Trailhead car parking zone. To the left, you’ll discover extra trails of accelerating problem, from straightforward to reasonable to difficult.
Nymph Lake: straightforward
Nymph Lake Path is a well-maintained, 1.2-mile trek that features 262 toes in elevation and takes about 40 minutes to full. It hooks round Nymph Lake and affords views of the mountain vary. You’ll cross via forests and meadows and have the chance to spot marmots and chipmunks. In the summertime, Nymph Lake is at its fullest and is surrounded by wildflowers in bloom. Fall can also be a well-liked time to go to, because the leaves are simply beginning to change.
Word: If you happen to take a break to eat, watch out for the chipmunks! They have been very daring on this hike, making an attempt to steal meals out of my bag!
Dream Lake to Emerald Lake: straightforward to reasonable
If you happen to proceed previous Nymph Lake, you’ll merge with Dream Lake Path, a reasonable hike that covers 2.2 miles (together with the gap you’ve already traveled from Nymph Lake) and features an elevation of 450 toes. Outcrops will supply panoramic views of the mountain vary, together with Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. You’ll additionally have the option to spot Nymph Lake under.
As you proceed on, you’ll attain Dream Lake, an elongated physique of water bordered by a path that switches between dust steps and a wood boardwalk.
After you cross Dream Lake, the hike will merge into Emerald Lake Path and finish on the eponymous lake, a crystal-clear physique of water bordered by the mountains, and a well-liked picnic spot. Relying in your ability degree, you may flip again at any time, as all three trails are linked.
However should you resolve to go all the best way to Emerald Lake and again, the whole hike will spherical out at 3.2 miles, with an elevation achieve of 698 toes.
Lake Haiyaha: reasonable to difficult
In between Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, a path will cut up to the left and lead you to Lake Haiyaha Path. This was by far probably the most stunning hike of my journey in Rocky Mountain National Park — and likewise probably the most tough. The four-mile in-and-out path has an 846-foot elevation achieve and weaves via alpine forest and throughout glacier rivers, the latter having a frosty blue coloration that may take your breath away — in particular person, it seems to be like there’s a layer of smoke hovering over the floor.
Whereas it’s doable to attain the glacial river (seen above) with out an excessive amount of incline in elevation, reaching the lake is a distinct story. The hike will finish at a wall of boulders, and it’s essential to climb over the rocks so as to attain the lake. This makes this hike difficult.
The payoff is value it, although. Lake Haiyaha is surrounded by glacial boulders and rock formations tens of millions of years previous. The water is a type of turquoise-green I’ve by no means earlier than seen in nature.
Though it was August, I had introduced a sweater with me, because it will get cooler within the shade. Not solely did I find yourself taking that off, however after I reached the lake, I used to be sweating. I noticed a pair swimmers within the lake and couldn’t resist leaping in for a dip. Let me put it this manner: A glacial lake, even in direct daylight, is one other kind of chilly. Not solely will it actually take your breath away, however your bones will really feel frozen earlier than you get again on shore. If you happen to resolve to take the leap, needless to say the bottom is rocky and much from a sandy seashore. I want I’d introduced water sneakers; I ended up simply protecting my toes off the bottom. However, 100% value it!
Wildlife
Rocky Mountain National Park is residence to all kinds of wildlife, together with elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. Mountain lions and black bears additionally roam right here however are extra uncommon. As in any nationwide park, you’ll improve your possibilities of recognizing animals should you arrive round daybreak or sundown. I used to be lucky to have a herd of elk cross by my automotive inside 15 minutes of arriving.
The place to Keep
Relying on which course you come from — east or west — you’ll almost certainly need to keep in Grand Lake or Estes Park. Each quaint mountain cities are nestled on the base of the Rockies and supply all kinds of choices for lodging and simple, fast entry to the park.
The place you keep will depend upon the expertise you’re on the lookout for. On my first evening in Estes Park, I booked a yurt via Airbnb, an intimate expertise that took me into the forest on the fringe of the nationwide park.
Estes Park
Price range: Estes Park Journey Hostel
Price: $90 an evening
Midrange: Mongolian Mountain Yurt
Price: $180 an evening
Luxurious: Estes Park Condos
Price: $430 an evening
Grand Lake
Price range: Elk Creek Campground
Price: $16-$22 an evening
Midrange: Grand Lake Lodge
Price: $159 an evening
Luxurious: Romantic Gem
Price: $506 an evening
Tenting
Tenting inside Rocky Mountain National Park lets guests get up surrounded by the wilderness. Campgrounds begin at $35 per evening through the summer time, however be sure you reserve one of many restricted spots upfront. And needless to say not all campgrounds are open 12 months spherical.
Greatest Time to Go to
Rocky Mountain National Park is busiest in the summertime months, and though I went in August, I nonetheless discovered that site visitors wasn’t uncontrolled. Reservations are timed to preserve the park from getting overwhelmed with visitors, so that you’ll want to buy a allow to enter.
Every season affords one thing somewhat totally different, so plan your journey primarily based on what you hope to expertise:
Spring (April–Might) is the perfect time for wildlife viewing, as that is when temperatures heat up and animals give beginning or come out of hibernation. As a result of snow continues to be melting, the unpredictable climate could shut off some roads and amenities.
Summer season (June–August) affords the longest hours of daylight, making this the perfect time for outside actions like tenting and climbing.
When the leaves begin to change, fall (September–October) means cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Throughout winter (November–March), many of the park may have each highway and facility closures, so ensure to verify earlier than you e-book! Though will probably be frigid outdoors, Rocky Mountain is taken into account by many the most effective to go to through the coldest months. This time is nice for winter actions like snowshoeing, cross-country snowboarding, and ice fishing.
What to Deliver
No matter if you go to, be sure you pack for the climate. Even in summer time, temperatures can drop quickly, and having layers, like puffer jackets, will turn out to be useful. I swear by this jacket and produce it on each journey, irrespective of the place I’m going. Not solely is it light-weight and simple to pack, but it surely retains you a lot hotter than you may suppose.
If you happen to plan to hike, set of trainers, like Merrell climbing sneakers, will preserve your toes comfy throughout these lengthy days outdoors. Don’t neglect to convey a rain jacket and daypack in your hikes, too.
In case your purpose is to spot wildlife, binoculars will turn out to be useful. And bear in mind, this can be a highway journey, and these roads curve round steep mountains. If you happen to get even the gentle automotive illness, you’ll undoubtedly want some Dramamine for the journey.
Whatever the period of your keep, Rocky Mountain affords a wide range of issues to do and see. You received’t be upset.
What would you need to expertise in Rocky Mountain National Park?