9 replies to this topic

[kbat]

I'm returning to RMNP in July, and I would appreciate suggestions for "must-do" hikes.
If my memory serves correctly, I have completed:
Lakes: Cub, Emerald, Mills, Lawn, Blue (IPW), Chasm, Loch, Sky Pond/Glass, Haiyaha, Bierstadt
Summits: Deer, Estes Cone, Flattop
Falls: Ouzel, Bridal Veil
Other: Fern/Odessa Loop, Pawnee Pass to Monarch Lake, Lulu City, Green Mountain/Onahu Loop.

Considering the following hikes for July:
Flattop/Hallett/Andrews Glacier
Shelf/Solitude Lakes
Keyhole
Isabelle Glacier

Any recommendations on these hikes or others I have not considered?
Thanks!

[waterrat]

Major thumbs up for Shelf/Solitude. It requires a bit of route-finding ability and it's pretty steep, but it's quiet as heck, a good waterfall or two if you can figure out where to slide off the trail to look for them, and some great views once you get up onto the shelf that holds those lakes. The cascade from Solitude to Shelf is unique in the park, I think.

I think Mt. Ida is worth a look too. It's a fairly long hike over mostly open tundra, so great views, but you definitely want to start early in the day for it. Something on my list I hope to get to some day is the CCY hike: Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon summits.

[MaizeEagle]

The ones on your to-do list are all good. We enjoyed each one. I agree Mt. Ida is a good summit, but you also should consider Chiquita and Ypsilon if you are looking for additional summits to tackle.

[ScottO]

If you go to the Keyhole, you could also give Storm Peak and/or Mt. Lady Washington a try while you're up there. At least cross over the Boulderfield to the saddle between Longs and Lady to get a look down at Chasm Lake and interesting views of Longs' east face.

Wild Basin has many great hikes. Sandbeach, Thunder, Bluebird, Lion-Snowbank Lakes are all good hikes.

ScottO

[iceberg]

ScottO, on 01 June 2011 - 08:28 PM, said:

Wild Basin has many great hikes. Sandbeach, Thunder, Bluebird, Lion-Snowbank Lakes are all good hikes.

I second this. You've GOT to check out one or more of these hikes. My favorite area of the park!

[kbat]

waterrat, on 01 June 2011 - 04:47 PM, said:

Major thumbs up for Shelf/Solitude. It requires a bit of route-finding ability and it's pretty steep, but it's quiet as heck, a good waterfall or two if you can figure out where to slide off the trail to look for them, and some great views once you get up onto the shelf that holds those lakes. The cascade from Solitude to Shelf is unique in the park, I think.

I think Mt. Ida is worth a look too. It's a fairly long hike over mostly open tundra, so great views, but you definitely want to start early in the day for it. Something on my list I hope to get to some day is the CCY hike: Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon summits.

Several family members have done CCY and Mt. Ida - I hear mostly complaints from the CCY hike because its so vertical, but the Mt. Ida hike gets great reviews.

Do you know of a link that shows pics or gives clear directions on the scramble up and around Shelf/Solitude?

[Igloo Ed]

kbat, on 02 June 2011 - 08:03 AM, said:

Do you know of a link that shows pics or gives clear directions on the scramble up and around Shelf/Solitude?

The trail/route up to Shelf is north of the stream coming down from Shelf . There are different options in some areas but they all work. The ground is worn enough to follow the route easily.

[waterrat]

As Ed said, it's mostly fairly easy to follow. There were cairns in several places when we (I did this with smudge on these boards) went, but all of the pictures he took of the way up got lost into the ether as it were - they disappeared off of his camera. The only place we had a little trouble finding the way was near the top, right before you get onto the shelf. We saw lots of small cascades and flowers on our trip, which was in July. The two larger falls we saw were both to the south or left hand side as you go up the mountain, at least by the path we found. Ed points out there was more than one track and I've no real knowledge of where the other tracks went.

To be more precise on finding the trail up (and I'm working off memory here, so forgive me if I miss a detail or two), while you're on the main Glacier Gorge trail headed toward Black Lake there is an avalanche area around three quarters of a mile past Jewel Lake, comes across the trail and all the way down to the creek. If you look down across the slide area, there are some very large boulders in the river that are easy to jump across and the trail leading away is noticeable. Hopefully that gives you a good starting point. :)

[MaizeEagle]

waterrat, on 02 June 2011 - 09:03 AM, said:

As Ed said, it's mostly fairly easy to follow. There were cairns in several places when we (I did this with smudge on these boards) went, but all of the pictures he took of the way up got lost into the ether as it were - they disappeared off of his camera. The only place we had a little trouble finding the way was near the top, right before you get onto the shelf. We saw lots of small cascades and flowers on our trip, which was in July. The two larger falls we saw were both to the south or left hand side as you go up the mountain, at least by the path we found. Ed points out there was more than one track and I've no real knowledge of where the other tracks went.

To be more precise on finding the trail up (and I'm working off memory here, so forgive me if I miss a detail or two), while you're on the main Glacier Gorge trail headed toward Black Lake there is an avalanche area around three quarters of a mile past Jewel Lake, comes across the trail and all the way down to the creek. If you look down across the slide area, there are some very large boulders in the river that are easy to jump across and the trail leading away is noticeable. Hopefully that gives you a good starting point. :)

In the hiking & climbing forum, there's a "pinned" topic called "Shelf-Soltitude cutoff" . I think you'll find the info you need there.

[kbat]

Thanks, everyone, for your help. I have never been to RMNP in July (usually in September), so I'm looking forward to some new experiences.

47 days and counting!