Over 40 years in the past, my husband and I first skilled Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park (RMNP) on our honeymoon. We’ve returned to the park virtually yearly since — first as newlyweds, then as younger dad and mom, middle-agers, and, lastly, as seniors. Whereas we consider that RMNP is timeless, in fact, we’re not. As 30-somethings, we took many lengthy — and steep — hikes. These days, although, varied well being issues stop us from embarking on the extra arduous adventures of our youth, so we search for different methods to benefit from the park. Listed below are a few of these methods.
1. Stroll The Loop And Have A Picnic At Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake has simply accessible, paved trails with spectacular mountain views. Mountain peaks (Flattop and Hallet) on the Continental Divide might be seen clearly from the east shoreline. At 8,688 ft of elevation, the Sprague Lake Path is a simple, 0.5-mile loop path across the 13-acre lake. The path is handicap-accessible and options boardwalks and picket bridges, in addition to tons of benches. Sprague Lake can be a fly fisherman’s paradise. Should you’d wish to fish, you’ll want a Colorado fishing license (16 or older).
Sprague Lake has plenty of parking and a big picnic space alongside Glacier Creek with greater than 25 picnic tables, 15 hearth grates, and flush restrooms (yay!). It’s highly regarded, so get there early to snag a desk. We particularly just like the picnic desk within the again by the creek. Floor squirrels and birds will examine your unfold carefully. You may even see, as we did, moose within the lake or elk operating by means of the picnic space!
2. Take A Stroll Round Lily Lake, Then Eat Lunch (Or Dinner)
The Lily Lake Loop is among the best hikes in RMNP. At this peaceable spot, you possibly can hike, picnic, fish, and calm down. With solely 10 ft in elevation change throughout all the path, the 0.8-mile Lily Lake Loop is extra of a stroll within the park than a hike. To achieve the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 6.3 miles south on Colorado Freeway 7 to the Lily Lake parking space. You’ll be able to park on the lake or throughout the freeway on the previous Lily Lake Customer Heart (now closed).
3. Bear Lake Is The Beginning Level Of Many Trails
Bear Lake has among the finest views within the park and is the gateway to a wide range of hikes for adventurers of all ability ranges. It’s some of the widespread mountaineering loops in RMNP. The 0.8-mile Bear Lake Path is rated “simple.” With an elevation acquire of simply 45 ft, it’s comparatively flat. Bear Lake offers wonderful views of aspen, making it a spectacular location for viewing fall foliage. The path hugs the lake, often weaving by means of stands of pine bushes. Since Bear Lake is unbelievably widespread, you might need to take the shuttle, as an alternative of your automobile, to the trailhead.
4. Nymph, Dream, And Emerald Lake Are In style Trails Rated ‘Simple’ To ‘Reasonable’
Though the Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake Trails are rated “simple” to “average,” the primary half, to Nymph Lake, is on the steep aspect. Right here, it should really feel even steeper in case you are not in tip-top form, or in case you are not used to the altitude. We would have liked many relaxation stops alongside the primary a part of the hike, but it surely will get simpler as you go (besides when there’s ice or snow soften!). A great pair of mountaineering footwear, with laborious soles and loads of assist, will assist.
That is an out-and-back path with an elevation acquire of about 700 ft. Should you get to Emerald Lake (the third and final lake), the hike is about 3.3 miles round-trip. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain, and Longs Peak.
5. Endovalley/West Alluvial Fan Space Affords A Waterfall And Picnic Tables
The Endovalley/West Alluvial Fan picnic space has 32 picnic tables and 30 hearth grates. You’ll be able to even deliver your individual transportable grill. There’s a quick, paved path you possibly can take to the Alluvial Fan, which is principally a waterfall. There’s loads of parking, but it surely’s nonetheless finest to go early or late within the busy summer time months.
6. See Waterfalls At Wild Basin Trailhead
Wild Basin Trailhead (Copeland Falls) is a collection of waterfall cascades on St. Vrain Creek. The hike to the cascading waterfalls is a reasonably shady, simple hike that’s actually extra of a stroll. After this 1-mile round-trip outing, get pleasure from a picnic at one of many Wild Basin picnic areas. The trailhead/picnic space is off Freeway 7, between Meeker Park and Allenspark, to the west of the freeway.
7. Spot Wildlife Round The Park
Elk might be seen any time; a well-liked viewing interval is the autumn rut, or mating season. Search for elk in meadows and the place meadows and forests meet. Elk spend a lot of their time at or above treeline throughout the summer time, transferring to decrease elevations within the fall, winter, and spring. Their favourite feeding occasions are at daybreak and nightfall.
Bighorn sheep are generally seen at Sheep Lakes from Could by means of mid-August. Moose additionally frequent Sheep Lakes, in addition to willow thickets close to waterways, Sprague Lake, and several other areas on the west aspect of the park. Sheep Lakes additionally attracts coyotes, floor squirrels, and elk. This space is very widespread throughout the fall elk rut, so you’ll want to arrive early for parking.
Mule deer are frequent and might be seen anyplace. They’re most frequently discovered at decrease elevations in open areas.
Marmots and pikas favor rocky areas. Marmots are finest seen on the alpine tundra alongside Trailridge and Old Fall River Roads. They’re additionally prevalent on the Alpine Visitor Center. Pikas — small, light-colored mammals — are frequent in rock piles. Pay attention for his or her sharp, distinctive bark and look ahead to motion.
8. Hire An Electrical Bike At Spine Adventures And Cruise The Estes Park Paths
Wish to zip alongside with out pedaling? Hire an e-bike from Backbone Adventures. You’ll be able to journey proper from the store to the Lake Estes bike path. There are many paths and also you’ll be capable to full any of them in 2 hours. Be certain to deliver your digicam as wildlife is usually seen on these trails. Examine here for sorts of e-bikes, costs, and excursions. The corporate is situated at 1851 North Lake Avenue in Estes Park. They’re open from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. in winter, and eight a.m.–5 p.m. the remainder of the 12 months.
9. Drink Nice Espresso Whereas You Sit Outdoors And Get pleasure from Nature
Not within the temper for mountaineering? Have espresso at certainly one of Estes Park’s fabulous coffee shops. We particularly get pleasure from Coffee on the Rocks at 510 Moraine Avenue in Estes Park. They provide a “yard” with jaw-dropping mountain views, cozy Adirondack chairs, and native wildlife close to a trout pond. Cease by in winter for a sizzling latte. In the summertime, attempt their iced espresso when you feed the geese.
10. Go Fishing For Dinner At Trout Haven
Right here, you’ll must work for dinner, though, it’s truly enjoyable! No fishing license is required, and Trout Haven will intestine and clear your catch! Your charge consists of all gear wanted. Beware, although, that you must preserve what you catch, and it’s a bit dear. However who can put a worth on an excellent expertise — and dinner in addition?
We’re certain the trout at Trout Haven are wholesome and engaging. How do we all know this? Throughout our go to this previous summer time, an osprey swooped down and snagged a trout out of the pond proper earlier than our eyes. Now that’s a happy buyer!
The pricing is as follows: $1.35 per inch for what you catch, $1 per fish to scrub, and $4 to hire a rod. Trout Haven will pack, freeze, and retailer your catch for pick-up if you depart.
Trout Haven is situated at 810 Moraine Avenue in Estes Park. Its summer time hours are Monday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m; and its winter hours are Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Fishing with Trout Haven is handicap-accessible.
11. Signal Up For A RMNP Ranger-Led Program
Free Ranger-led programs provide a peek into RMNP’s ecosystem, in addition to its historical past, wildlife, and vegetation. There’s even a stargazing program.
Night campfire applications are most likely the preferred on the park. In the course of the summer time, campfire applications are given at many of the campgrounds each evening. They’re additionally given nightly on the Beaver Meadows Customer Heart (close to Estes Park) and weekly on the Kawuneeche Customer Heart (close to Grand Lake).
Don’t have a lot time? Head to one of many rangers’ quick talks. They final about half-hour and are given at a number of areas within the park. In the summertime, catch the bighorn sheep speak at Sheep Lakes. The Alpine Customer Heart hosts a wide range of talks, together with one on animals on the tundra and one other in regards to the historical past of Path Ridge Highway. Generally, a bear speak is obtainable. In fall, a well-liked expertise is the nightly elk speak in Horseshoe Park. This speak is given throughout the elk mating season, so you’re very prone to see some.
There are additionally a number of ranger-led walks within the park. Really, they’re very simple strolls. You’ll be able to take wildflower walks, historical past walks, and geology walks. We took the tundra stroll, the place we discovered how fragile the tundra is, the way it’s house to a number of animals who’ve tailored to outlive, and easy methods to assist shield it. After the tundra stroll, to at the present time, I can’t assist however ask different guests to “keep on the trail” or “depart the rocks the place they’re.” I’ve turn out to be a vocal advocate for the park.
Professional Tip: Gown heat, pack water and snacks, and placed on sunscreen!
12. Take A Hike At 12,000+ Ft
The Alpine Ridge Path and Tundra Communities Path are each high-mountain trails which are rated “simple.” Whereas the round-trip distance for every is comparatively quick, these trails are demanding due to the elevation acquire and the acute altitude. The hikes prime off at greater than 12,000 ft, so costume heat and convey water and sunscreen.
The Alpine Customer Heart Path is 0.6 miles lengthy and reaches a most of 12,005 ft. From the Alpine Customer Heart parking zone, the Alpine Ridge Path is a brief hike to a very open view of the Rockies. Though the hike is brief, it consists of 225 artifical stairs that result in the height of the path. It’s simple to see why the path’s nickname is “Huffer’s Hill.”
Tundra Communities Path is a simple 1.1-mile path that begins at Tundra Communities Trailhead and reaches 12,285 ft in elevation. The path sits on what looks like the highest of the world.
13. Let A Horse Do The Work!
Not a fan of the exertion required to trek up the mountains? Go horseback using. There are several good stables that provide this expertise. One in every of our favorites is Hi Country Stables, situated proper subsequent to Sprague Lake. You’ll be able to test costs and guide here.
Professional Tip: You’ll want a Bear Lake Hall reservation to entry these stables.
14. Spot Wildlife As You Drive Massive Thompson Canyon
Up for a drive? Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon goes from Estes Park to Loveland alongside US 34. This two-lane, paved highway is constructed excessive above the Massive Thompson River so it will possibly stand up to the rising waters throughout flood season. Granite partitions tower 1000’s of ft within the air, and also you may spot bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and hummingbirds.
The 25-mile journey takes about 40 minutes to navigate one-way.
As you possibly can see, there are many outside actions for the oldsters who don’t hike. These are additionally nice choices for people whose “canine are barking” from their mountaineering adventures.
You’ll want to additionally take a look at all of our Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park content material, together with:
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