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Hiking

Rocky Mountain

Getting There Lodging Restaurants Hiking Backpacking

Especially if you add the Indian Peaks Wilderness to the south, Roosevelt National Forest to the east, Arapaho National Forest to the west, and Never Summer Wilderness to the northwest, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the three greatest hiking meccas in North America and maybe the world. Yes, of course, other places have good trails. But almost nowhere else has the sheer number and variety of trails. Deep forest, high mountains, crystal clear lakes, alpine tundra, deep valley wetlands, glaciers, open meadows and thick heather are all found here. The trailheads are easily accessible. Trails are well maintained. It is, truly a hiker's paradise. You can pick any corner of the park and spend a week there on a different trail every day. But, as always, you have choices to make.

You can stay at Allens Park, Estes Park or Grand Lake or camp at Glacier Basin, Moraine Park or Winding River.

The best hikes in the park take hikers to or past waterfalls and lakes with views of glaciers, peaks and distant vistas.

Mt. Ida Sky Pond Emerald Lake Fern Lake Bluebird Lake Shadow Mountain Cascade Falls

Bears, Mountain Lions and Moose are always a threat so no matter which trail you hike, you need an airhorn and bear spray and you need them quickly available, in belt holsters or outside pack pockets within reach as you hike, not packed away where you have to take your pack off to get to them.

Serious storms erupt in the high country at around 3 p.m. every afternoon. These will produce rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, drastic temperature drops, and lightning. You must carry a hooded rain parka and a warm under layer. You must also plan your trip to avoid getting caught out on open plateaus or peaks during these storms. Lightning can kill. You need to start hiking by 9 a.m. so you can be off those plateaus and peaks by mid afternoon. Veteran hikers here rise early, eat breakfast, catch the shuttle or drive, hit the trail by 9, reach the destination by noon or 1, and get back down to lower elevations by 2:30.

RMNP has the best shuttle system of any park. Use it to get from campsites and lodges to trailheads and back.

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