19 replies to this topic

[Gandalf]

Hello all!!!!


This is my first post, so please forgive my newbie question.

I am going to be staying at the YMCA Estes Park center from July 16-23 and I need some advise. My 15 year old brother-in-law and I are determined to make a summit while we are in rmnp. Does anybody have any suggestions on an easier one we may conquer from our locale? Keep in mind that both of us have only hiked once before (last summer) and will be on foot from the YMCA.

Thanks everybody!

[GLENNinPA]

I think you should try Flattop. It is a fairly easy summit, you basically just walk up. You do gain some altitude though, so don't take it for granted. You could probably hit Hallet's summit with not that much more effort on the same trip.


Glenn

[Gandalf]

I think you should try Flattop. It is a fairly easy summit, you basically just walk up. You do gain some altitude though, so don't take it for granted. You could probably hit Hallet's summit with not that much more effort on the same trip.
Glenn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks! I was looking at the possibility of Flattop, but I wasn't sure a novice could tackle it. One more thing, how much time should I allow for the round trip from, say, the Cub Lake trailhead? That is the closest trailhead I know of by the Y.

[ProfHall]

Is there not a way to catch a shuttle, say from the Y to the park's shuttle lot, and then ride up to Bear Lake? It seems by reading this that you are adding miles to the trip...but I may be way off.

Flattop is also what came to mind about a summit. DCM may suggest Deer Mountain, too, though I can't recall right off hand how close that is to the east side entrances and the Y.

[CODave]

You might want to think about Estes Cone. While it is not as high as Flattop or Hallett, it is much closer to the YMCA and if my memory serves me, there is a trail from the road just before the YMCA that takes you to Lily Lake where there is a trail to Estes Cone.

However, if you can get a shuttle/ride to Bear Lake, I'd go with Flattop.

[CDeb]

Thanks! I was looking at the possibility of Flattop, but I wasn't sure a novice could tackle it.  One more thing, how much time should I allow for the round trip from, say, the Cub Lake trailhead?  That is the closest trailhead I know of by the Y.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My wife and I had never seriously hiked before and we tackled Flattop no problem. In fact, I wish we had continued on to Hallett's Peak. We were lowlander novices and our roundtrip from the Bear Lake parking lot was six hours. (4 up, 2 down)

[Andy]

If I read your post correctly, you will be walking from the YMCA (i.e. you can't drive to a trailhead)? If so, I think your options for a summit are very limited. Perhaps Steep Mountain, Emerald Mountain, Rams Horn Mountain, Eagle Cliff Mountain, Gianttrack Mountain, or Lily Mountain. Of these I've mentioned I'm not sure if there are trails to the summits (or trails from the YMCA area) - there might be significant bushwhacking involved. Although Flattop is great for novice hikers it would be a pretty long day if you had to walk there from the YMCA.

[Andy]

Reading CDeb's post - I'd estimate you'd need to add at least another three hours to his roundtrip time. That would make it at least a 9 hour hike with over 4000' of elevation gain. That's a pretty ambitious day even for a seasoned hiker.

[Gandalf]

For some reason I was having a brain fry about the shuttles.

If I remember correctly, there is a shuttle from the Y to Bear Lake. I'll have to check into that to be sure. Now, I will have my Jeep with me so I can drive if I need to. I just figured it would be easier (and cheaper) to just walk from the Y. But the fee is not much and the added walking distance will definately add up over the week. Anyway, I was thinking of driving Trail Ridge Road for the scenery and some good pictures.

[Malok]

If you are starting at the YMCA, you can still go just about anywhere. It is just a short walk down to Moraine Park. You can then catch a shuttle from the Museum to go to most places in the Park. The only drawback with this is that this shuttle doesn't start until a little later in the morning and if you are going to do a summit you will want to start as early as possible to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. I guess you could walk down to the main road early and try to hitch a ride up to Bear Lake. We've determined here on this forum that morning people are the most friendly so I'm sure someone would pick you up. Bear Lake is where the trail to Flattop begins. I agree that this would be an excellent first summit as it takes you well above tree line and affords amazing views. Getting back would not be a problem as you can catch a shuttle to the museum.

[Andy]

Ah yes, I forgot about the shuttle. Excellent idea! I wholeheartedly endorse the Flattop suggestion.

[greg126]

Hello all!!!!   
This is my first post, so please forgive my newbie question. 

I am going to be staying at the YMCA Estes Park center from July 16-23 and I need some advise.  My 15 year old brother-in-law and I are determined to make a summit while we are in rmnp.  Does anybody have any suggestions on an easier one we may conquer from our locale?  Keep in mind that both of us have only hiked once before (last summer) and will be on foot from the YMCA.

Thanks everybody!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Flattop would be a good choice. Nice hike. Depending on your level of conditioning and acclimation I'd say the 6 hour figure is a good estimate - could be less. Start early to beat the storms, take water, rain gear etc. If you're doing well, Hallets is just a bit more and you can get a two-fer.

Another good reason for going with Flattop is that its easily reachable without a vehicle from the Y. I think they have signs up on the Y grounds showing the way to the RMNP shuttle - back towards the corral. That will pop you out in the park at a stop for the Campground Shuttle, take that and change at the parking lot for the Bear Lake Shuttle. Reverse on return.....Greg

[epdreamer]

I was curious and doing some research on this since I've thought the Y has a pretty extensive program there. On their web site they have e-mail to their Hiking coordinator (http://www.ymcarocki...age.php?code=36) so maybe they also could be some help. I see they do limit some hikes based on their ratings so that might hold you back from using them. Good Luck finding a hike to enjoy.

[Becky J.]

In the Sweet Memorial Building at the Y they have a sign-up for hikes that differ with the day. They also have three-ring binders with a lot of information and maps about hiking. There are people on staff who can also help you.

[mwilson]

I think there is a trail from the YMCA over the top of Emerald Mountain to Glacier Basin Campground where you could catch a shuttle to Bear Lake where the Flattop Mountain Trail begins. I don't remember for sure what time the shuttle starts coming into the campground, but if you wanted to leave earlier than that, you could walk across the road to the shuttle parking lot. As mentioned in another post, getting an early start up to Flattop is important. We've never stayed at the Y camp, but I know that we have met groups from there on the shuttle and trails.

I hope you find a great hike!

Marsha