12 replies to this topic

[bob77]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have been reading post for a while now. Lots of great information and pictures. I have a trip planned to Estes Park on June 8th to the 12th. I am looking at doing some hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and was hoping to get some recommendations on hiking trails that will be free of snow. I have been in the area many times before, but never in June. Does anyone have any recommendations on hikes that will be free of snow or could be navigated with boots? I am interested in mostly lake hikes. Past hikes of mine have included the Bear Lake hike, but I feel there will be too much snow at this trailhead to be able to hike to all of the lakes. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bob

[cardinal]

bob77, on 24 May 2011 - 11:27 AM, said:

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have been reading post for a while now. Lots of great information and pictures. I have a trip planned to Estes Park on June 8th to the 12th. I am looking at doing some hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and was hoping to get some recommendations on hiking trails that will be free of snow. I have been in the area many times before, but never in June. Does anyone have any recommendations on hikes that will be free of snow or could be navigated with boots? I am interested in mostly lake hikes. Past hikes of mine have included the Bear Lake hike, but I feel there will be too much snow at this trailhead to be able to hike to all of the lakes. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bob

I would imagine the following would be free of snow, or at least little snow;

Deer Mountain
Bridal Vail Falls
Gem Lake
Twin Sisters, maybe ( I suspect there will be snow in the heavily woods parts though)
Most of the hikes to lakes will probably still have snow along the way but I would imagine that the trail would be packed fairly well. A good set of yaks and gaiters would be worth the investment. I suspect the lakes themselves will not be free of snow or ice.

[jflo]

Fern Lake?

[cardinal]

jflo, on 24 May 2011 - 02:07 PM, said:

Fern Lake?

I suspect there will be snow as you start up the mountain past the Pool. But... your mention of Fern Lake did remind me that the Cub Lake loop around to The Pool and then back to the Fern Lake TH would be a good one as well.

[bob77]

Thanks for the information, I was also thinking Cub Lake would be a good hike to start with and then maybe continue on from there to see what Fern Lake would be like.

[Aaron]

Welcome to the forums, Bob

--Aaron

[Igloo Ed]

If you can add a pair of gaiters to those boots to keep the snow out of them, you ought to be able to hike to the lakes around Bear Lake. The snow is generally rock hard by that time or it is rotten and you just step down through it to the ground some 18 inches or so. Most of the trails will be broke by boots, it's pretty much that way right now except we have been getting fresh snow. It only takes five days or so for the fresh snow to turn hard.
Some poles with baskets too, they help with balance when you foot goes through the snow unexpectedly.

[HighPlainsMedic]

Igloo Ed, on 25 May 2011 - 06:49 PM, said:

Some poles with baskets too, they help with balance when you foot goes through the snow unexpectedly.

Like 255 pounds unexpectedly lol. you lighter folks kill me, when i break through in mid stride it's an event!

[AliceH]

Ed, where is some good beginner snowshoeing right now? I was thinking about renting a pair this weekend, but I'm not sure where I should go.

Igloo Ed, on 25 May 2011 - 06:49 PM, said:

If you can add a pair of gaiters to those boots to keep the snow out of them, you ought to be able to hike to the lakes around Bear Lake. The snow is generally rock hard by that time or it is rotten and you just step down through it to the ground some 18 inches or so. Most of the trails will be broke by boots, it's pretty much that way right now except we have been getting fresh snow. It only takes five days or so for the fresh snow to turn hard.
Some poles with baskets too, they help with balance when you foot goes through the snow unexpectedly.

[Igloo Ed]

AliceH, on 26 May 2011 - 02:31 PM, said:

Ed, where is some good beginner snowshoeing right now? I was thinking about renting a pair this weekend, but I'm not sure where I should go.

The snow is high in elevation so you'll probably want to go to Bear Lake and head out or drive up TRR and do something there. The problem with TRR is the walls of snow one needs to get up over before you can go anywhere.
The trails around the Bear Lake area will be packed and I doubt they'll require snowshoes but snowshoes can be worn and that makes it so you can wander off in the woods if you want. I carry my snowshoes on my pack until I need them at this time of year.
It takes more energy to travel on snow than on dry trails in summer and you should expect to travel shorter distances. If the Haiyaha trail is broke from Dream, Haiyaha should be filling up with water now and the ice will rise. That is sometimes interesting.

[bob77]

So I think I've come up with Gem Lake, Bridal Vail Falls and Cub Lake as possible hiking destinations. I've also thought about Mills Lake, does anyone know what this hike will be like in early June?

[cardinal]

bob77, on 27 May 2011 - 11:36 AM, said:

So I think I've come up with Gem Lake, Bridal Vail Falls and Cub Lake as possible hiking destinations. I've also thought about Mills Lake, does anyone know what this hike will be like in early June?

A packed snow trail

[Vansiclenr]

bob77, on 27 May 2011 - 11:36 AM, said:

So I think I've come up with Gem Lake, Bridal Vail Falls and Cub Lake as possible hiking destinations. I've also thought about Mills Lake, does anyone know what this hike will be like in early June?

bob77, on 27 May 2011 - 11:36 AM, said:

So I think I've come up with Gem Lake, Bridal Vail Falls and Cub Lake as possible hiking destinations. I've also thought about Mills Lake, does anyone know what this hike will be like in early June?

Here's what the rangers are saying:

Trail: Mills Lake
Date: 6/5/11
By: Park Ranger
Due to rapid snow melt the first bridge to Mills Lake (after Mills/Loch Junction) is out. Please plan accordingly. The trail to Mills Lake is particularly difficult to cross. Water is potentially cold, fast and deep. Exercise caution if attempting to cross. Trail to Mills Lake and beyond is particularly difficult to cross.