A recent visit to Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park, Colorado came with beautiful weather and great day-hiking. The options were virtually limitless. Here are some of the ones we chose over our four day visit.
Estes Cone
This 7 mile round trip hike with a 1,606 elevation gain starts at the Long's Peak trailhead. One can also start at the Lily Lake trailhead with an overall distance essentially the same as from Long's. Most of the trip is through the forest, although there are small segments in the open meadows.
At the junction, the trail steepens significantly. The tread would be difficult to follow if not for the well place rock cairns. A two hands - two feet scramble is required to top out. Once there, the views are incredible, especially that of Long's Peak and its nearby companions.
Chasm Lake
A gain of 2,360 feet in elevation comes with this 8.5 mile round trip day hike starting from the Long's Peak trailhead. But every foot of it is very worthwhile. Numerous switchbacks precede the ascent above tree-line where warnings signs are posted alerting hikers to the dangers of lightening and storms.
Just before reaching the lake, one must ascend a short, but tiring, scramble up the head wall that holds back the waters of Chasm Lake. The view are stupendous. Long's Peak and its receding glaciers loom large above you. It's a great place to linger, have lunch, and soak in the surrounding beauty.
Mills Lake
This lake can be approached from a couple of trailheads. The most common is from the Glacier Gorge trailhead from which one gains 750 feet in elevation half way up the 5 mile round trip hike. An added benefit is that this approach takes one past Alberta Falls.
Take advantage of the Park's shuttle bus service for it would be impossible to find a parking spot at the trailhead unless one arrives very early in the morning.
Gem Lake
This is another popular trail where it pays off to arrive early if you wish to avoid the later morning crowds. This 4 mile round trip gains 1000 feet to the lake. At 0.2 acres in size, it is certainly one of the park's smaller lakes. What it lacks in size is more than made up by the fantastic scenery once there as well as along the trail leading up to it.
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