Rocky Mountain Day Hikes
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    • 2024 Hike Rocky Print Magazine
Welcome to
​Rocky Mountain Day Hikes
Picture
This website explores the trails of
Rocky Mountain National Park,
​
one of the premier hiking parks of the world. 

"The essence of nature guiding is to travel gracefully rather than arrive." ~ Enos Mills

Know Before You Go
9/17 - Trail Ridge Road has reopened.  Old Fall River Road remains closed. Because weather conditions can change rapidly at high elevations and winter weather is forecast tonight at higher elevations, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly.  
9/17- Trail Ridge Road remains closed with significant ice buildup in higher elevation sections of the road.  More precipitation is forecast for later this afternoon and evening along with freezing temperatures.  Road closure points are currently at Rainbow Curve on the east side and Milner Pass on the west side.
9/16 - 
Due to the forecast for snow and freezing temperatures overnight, Trail Ridge Road will be temporarily closing at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, September 16.   Rangers will assess road conditions in the morning.  ​
9/14 - Trail Ridge Road has reopened.
​Trail Ridge Road is temporarily closed due to snow and ice on the road.  

Recorded status line for Trail Ridge Road is 970-586-1222.  
RMNP Trail Condition Reports
​
Updated August 1, 2025

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm
Summer is here and conditions on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park are changing rapidly and frequently (daily & even hourly) as snow continues to melt out. This report is best used as a general guide. By the time you start your hike, conditions on trails in RMNP could be the same, better, or worse than what is described below.
Bear Lake to Odessa Lake and to Fern Lake - The Bear Lake Loop Trail is clear and dry.
Bear Lake to Mills Lake - The trail is clear and dry. Alberta Falls is running high and fast.
Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain - The trail is mostly dry and in good condition until near the top of Flattop Mountain. As you get near the summit, there is a slushy snowfield to cross.
The Loch to Sky Pond - 
Rocks along Timberline Falls were wet and slippery. Footwear with good traction is helpful.
Deer Mountain Trail - The Deer Mountain Trail is now clear of snow and ice.
Longs Peak
​8/24
 - The Keyhole has begun its transition to autumn conditions. Numerous reports of snow and ice accumulation along the route confirm that fall is here, and this summit route should not be taken lightly. Repeated storms continue to hammer the mountain, creating tremendous potential for ice formation as temperatures cool.  
B
e prepared to turn around if conditions are unfavorable. 
Returning to treeline by noon is prudent to help mitigate exposure to lightning storms.
Snow Depth
2/19/25 - Bear Lake-60", Wild Basin-50", Lake Irene-76"
Alpine Visitor Ctr Web Cam
Alpine Visitor Ctr Web Cam, 11,796' - Sept 14
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North Face of Longs Peak from the Boulderfield, 8/23/25 NPS

Visit the RMNP Trail Conditions Page for more update information: Click Here

RMNP Updates
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9/15 - Temporary Trail Closure Impacting Access to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake for Outlet Bridge Replacement
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8/17 - Climber incident on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park
​
8/17 - Small Fire in the Lumpy Ridge Area of Rocky Mountain National Park
8/14 - Recovery Efforts Completed Yesterday for Man Missing in Rocky Mountain National Park
​
8/12 - 
Rocky Mountain National Park to Implement the Poudre Headwaters Project Some Areas in the Kawuneeche Valley Will be Closed During the Week of August 25-31
​
7/3 - Lighting Strike Tree Causes Small Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park
7/3 - Recovery Efforts Yesterday near Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
​
6/21 - Human Remains Found in Alpine Ridge Trail Area of Rocky Mountain National Park
​
4/24 - Colorado Gray Wolf Mortality in Rocky Mountain National Park
​
4/3 - Fungus Linked to White Nose Syndrome Detected in Bats in RMNP

Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park website for more information on 
​Trail Conditions, Shuttle Bus Info, Webcams, ​​and ​Alpine Visitor Center Weather 

Trail Guide
to
Rocky Mountain National Park
​Find your next hike here!
Rocky Mountain National Park is a hikers paradise offering spectacular mountain terrain for hikers at all levels.
​Enjoy exploring the hikes on this website.

​Complete trail profiles, photos, and videos for more than 75 trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trails by Location
​Wild Basin & Longs Peak Area | Bear Lake Corridor | Northern Park | West Side
Trails by Distance
​Short Hikes | Moderate Hikes | Longer Hikes | Challenge Hikes
Trails by Destination
Lake Hikes | Waterfall Hikes | Peak Hikes | Loop Hikes
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the on-line magazine of Rocky Mountain Day Hikes
Looking for additional Rocky Mountain National Park information?
Find a variety of articles on a wide range of topics.

Trail Reviews|Stories & Adventure|Science & Ecology|History & Current Issues|Culture & Art|Gear Reviews

New in Hike Rocky
September Newsletter
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September Sounds and Solace in RMNP
In Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) September brings the first sounds of bull elk bugling their desires. The bugling is unmistakable as it drifts in the wind across meadows and over mountain peaks. The sound of the season adds a sense of mystery and solitude and wildness as we stand still to listen.
All around us ground coverings, serviceberry, creekside willows, and the forest’s understory are changing from summer green to reds and golds. And the first hints of fall color in aspen trees surprise us with the bold new colors of the season.
Nature begins its slow transition to calmness and hibernation knowing winter conditions along the high mountain peaks will be arriving soon enough. RMNP itself begins to slow down with the new fall season along with the Autumnal Equinox arriving September 22. This time of year should not be missed in the park.
The Season of the Elk in RMNP by Dawn Wilson
How Nature Restores the Soul in RMNP by ​ Jamie Palmesano
The Conservation Corps Wrap Up 2025 Season by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy

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​Click Here: Hike Rocky email sign-up
Newsletter Link

RMDH Wildflower Field Guide
​to Rocky Mountain National Park


Trail Guide for RMNP
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PO Box 187
Estes Park, CO 80517
© Copyright 2025 Barefoot Publications,  All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Hike Rocky Magazine
    • Hike Rocky magazine
    • RMNP Updates
    • Trail Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Science & Ecology
    • History & Current Issues
    • Stories & Adventure
    • Culture and Arts in the Park
    • The Continental Divide Story, 1977 by Kip Rusk
  • Trail Guide to RMNP
    • Trails by Location >
      • Wild Basin & Longs Peak Area
      • Bear Lake Corridor
      • Northern Park
      • West Side
    • Trails by Distance >
      • Short (less than 1 mile)
      • Moderate (1-4 miles)
      • Longer (4+ miles)
      • Challenge Hikes
    • Trails by Destination >
      • Lakes
      • Waterfalls
      • Peaks >
        • Peaks By Elevation
      • Loop Hikes
    • Index of Trails
  • Wildflowers of RMNP
    • By Color
    • April/May Flowers
    • June/July Flowers
    • August/September Flowers
    • Wildflower Guide Curators
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Supporting Partners
    • Media Kit
    • 2025 Hike Rocky Print Edition
    • 2024 Hike Rocky Print Magazine