19 replies to this topic

[podunkboy]

Although I could never stop with a stroll around Bear Lake, even that is worth the price of park admission. The real problem is if you hike to Nymph Lake, you realize that Dream's not that much further, and then, what the heck, why not go on to Emerald, and then, before you know it, you're standing on top of Hallett.
My advice - keep tabs on conditions, get yourself snow snow equipment, ask at the visitor's center what's safely doable, and go for it (dress warm, in layers). And don't forget your camera (My dad did that one time, left it back in the motel - we had to go back the next day and hike some more!)

[hahn23]

mountainhop, on 10 November 2010 - 04:16 PM, said:

Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping for snow to cover the ice b/c I haven't done too much hiking in icy terrain. If there's not enough snow for snowshoes I'm sure I'll be fine, just take it slow.
We don't do too much hiking in icy conditions out here but hopefully with the traction devices it won't be too bad. If it is I guess I'll just turn around (but that would be awful... it would have to be pretty bad to make me turn back since I'm so excited). I've definitely got tons of warm/ waterproof gear so that is one battle I think I'm winning.
Hopefully I won't get too addicted to RMNP... flights out there don't come cheap!

6" to 12" of snow through Thursday night, especially above 9000'. That's good!

[Aaron]

hahn23, on 10 November 2010 - 05:59 PM, said:

6" to 12" of snow through Thursday night, especially above 9000'. That's good!

Awesome!

--Aaron

[DrCloud]

Quote

...with the traction devices it won't be too bad...

With YakTrax or those other, obviously better, gadgets, the limiting factor is snow so deep you have to work hard to post-hole through it.

After years of snowshoeing, we broke down and got some YakTrax last year, for the Park's packed trails, and on anything except snow so deep you need snowshoes to float they let you walk just like you'd walk in summer.

So it's the cold, wind, and elevation that'll get ya*, not the ice or hard-packed snow. HPH

(*Or maybe the Yeti.)

[hahn23]

DrCloud, on 10 November 2010 - 07:14 PM, said:

(*Or maybe the Yeti.)

I've seen no evidence of Yeti, but I continue to carry my camera on all hikes, just in case.