55 replies to this topic

[DeeCeeM]

There's lots of fall color on the way to the Pool (see here for info and photos. There's also a nice aspen grove between Bierstadt Lake and the shuttle stop (info and photos here.)

[Qbert]

There's lots of fall color on the way to the Pool (see here for info and photos.  There's also a nice aspen grove between Bierstadt Lake and the shuttle stop (info and photos here.)

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Impressive links. Thank you.

[Jim B]

For a REALLY easy hike (Okay, more like a stroll) don't forget Lily Lake on the east side of the park. We were in Estes Park last summer for a wedding and had a friend there from sea level who was not in shape for any serious hiking. You may sometimes have friends in a similar situation, but they want to get a taste of the park from someplace other than a roadside overlook. The Lily Lake trail probably qualifies as handicap accessible for at least part of the length, is virtually flat, but gets you far enough from the road you can get a sense of being in the natural world. It's also probably located at one of the lowest elevation points in the park.
At least worth adding to your list.

Jim B

[BukElgle]

They're all good short/easy hikes, but I voted for Alberta Falls. It was the
first hike we ever took in 1980 and have been past it many more times on the
way to other destinations.

In summer, go early to avoid crowds - a must see in winter when it's frozen.

Rick

[TempestT-37]

Our first hike was around Sprague Lake, that was easy so is Bear and Lily Lake. We did Alberta Falls in 2002 and it was real hard on all of us, now Copeland Falls is easy.
My boys and I hiked to the Loch this year and went right by Alberta Falls, it was much easier then in 2002, but Copeland is very flat and only .6 round trip.

[weatherbe]

Cool links Dee! What a great site!

Weather

There's lots of fall color on the way to the Pool (see here for info and photos.  There's also a nice aspen grove between Bierstadt Lake and the shuttle stop (info and photos here.)

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[workrelease]

Hey buddy!
Yeah, I've been pretty danged scarce around here for a good while now.
Thanks for the welcome...I appreciate it!

-work

Oops...I meant to send this to Marvman. Dumb computer does EXACTLY what you tell it to do

Edited by workrelease, 20 April 2006 - 11:44 AM.

[KUfiredancer]

i am not that familiar with the trails in RMNP, so this list and the input on the poll will help me plan some warm up hikes for my upcoming trip.

[Tecant]

My wife and I were in RMNP July 4-8, our first trip. Being out of shape flatlanders from Milwaukee, we knew we wouldn't be able to hike up Long's Peak.

Here is where we hiked. All very easy:

1) Around Sprague Lake: Only 0.5 miles and 10 feet of elevation, but with a georgeous view of several peaks centered on Hallet Peak. Good photo op in the early morning.

2) The Bear Lake loop. As easy as Sprague Lake, just a little longer.

3) To Alberta Falls from the Bear Lake Trailhead, then back via the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and took the shuttle bus back to the Park-N-Ride. Going this way, 3/4 of the hike is downhill.

4) From the Bear Lake Trailhead to Nymph Lake and then on to Dream Lake. Would have liked to go further to Emerald Lake, but my wife was running out of stamina.

5) On our last day we had planned to go from the Wild Basin trailhead to Calypso Cascades and perhaps further, but got rained out.

The hike to Dream Lake was my favorite.

Have fun. RMNP is a gem.

[John]

Thanks for the great post, Tecant! It is a good illustration of,
1) it is hard to answer questions such as, "Is that hike hard?" because of different fitness levels and...
2) there are great hikes in RMNP for every fitness level! You picked some very pretty areas to hike....any pictures to post?

[GLENNinPA]

Have fun. RMNP is a gem.

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Couldn't have said it better myself. It doesn't matter what your limits are.

[Aaron]

Yikes! This topic has 10,400 views!!

--Aaron

[TempestT-37]

And now it will get even more.

[owenrhys]

When you first get to RMNP, there are NO easy hikes ... at least if you're me! We flew into DIA, rented a car, and drove to Estes as fast as we could. Then we checked into the room, unloaded our stuff, and headed straight for Old Fall River Road. There is a reason people advise against doing this ... We stopped at the alluvial fan, at the east trail, which I don't think is even very high up, but it was high enough. We were sucking air big time, and that little jaunt up to the falls and back down nearly did us in -- as did our efforts to make it up the trail at the Rock Cut -- Whew! The next morning, I found myself walking around Bear Lake wishing I had worked out more ... and I found The Lovely Wife in bed, refusing to get up until her head felt better. By the second morning, we were much better, and logged a nearly 8-hour hike, with only moderate and occasional bouts of agony!
I know that the adjustment is different for everybody, but if you know it takes you a while to adapt, you should allow extra time, plan to take it easy that first day or two, and then STICK TO THAT PLAN.

Edited by owenrhys, 01 August 2007 - 05:15 PM.

[SandyP]

When you first get to RMNP, there are NO easy hikes ...

That is so true! And thanks for affirming my own first-day wimpiness every time we go!

You can just never underestimate the effects of altitude sickness, and you never know from one visit to the next how bad it is going to affect you. I've had times where it didn't seem too bad -- but I've had times when I was so sick I thought the entire trip was going to be ruined.