If you’ve read any of our other posts on this blog, you’ve probably figured out by now that we really love to hike. If you ask me, there’s only one thing more fun than hiking…hiking in the snow! And the only thing better than hiking in the snow? Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park! You might be thinking, “Well, no… It’s cold and difficult and boring.” Or maybe you’re thinking, “She’s crazy. Skiing is WAY better.” Before you click over to one of the six other tabs you have open right now, hear me out.
Snowshoeing allows you to see familiar trails in a completely new way, it’s a challenging and rewarding workout, and it gives you the opportunity to experience popular hikes without the crowds. Oh, and unlike skiing, you don’t have to get up at 4am to battle traffic for hours just to get there. You can rent or buy snowshoes for a very reasonable cost, especially when compared to skis. Snowshoeing for the win!
As I’ve gotten into the sport in recent years, I’ve found it surprisingly difficult to find good information about snowshoeing near the Front Range, especially snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know in order to have a fantastic snowshoe outing in one of our favorite places: Rocky Mountain National Park.
But first, a few reasons why you should showshoe in Rocky Mountain National Park…
-It has a pretty consistent snowpack throughout the winter months.
-It is significantly less crowded in the off-season, allowing you to enjoy its natural wonders in peace and solitude.
-It has a wealth of trails of varying lengths, difficulty levels, and terrain types, making it a great destination for snowshoers of every ability and experience level.
Also, be sure to check out our Snowshoeing Packing List to be prepared for any winter adventure!
The Trails
Many of Rocky Mountain National Park’s trails are open for snowshoeing in the winter, but here are a few of our favorites:
Deer Mountain
6 miles out and back. Moderate to Strenuous. Approximate time: 4-6 hours.
If you’re up for a longer adventure, check out Deer Mountain. This out-and-back trail winds its way up through beautiful pine forests that open up in places to give you spectacular views of the majestic peaks in the distance. The incline is challenging, but definitely doable with snowshoes on. It gets a little steeper on the last push to the summit, but this part is pretty short. Bring trekking poles with snow baskets if you want a little more stability. Plus, you’ll be rewarded at the top by breathtaking 360′ views of the park. You’ll look down on alpine lakes and and up at towering Longs Peak on the horizon. Plus, it’s very likely that you’ll have the entire summit to yourself. We did, even on a weekend! Make sure to dress in layers and pack plenty of water and snacks, as this hike will likely take you several hours to complete.
Getting there: The trailhead can be accessed through either the Beaver Meadows or Fall River entrances, and it is located right at the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway 34. It’s one of the fastest and easiest trailheads to get to in the park!
The Loch (Loch Vale)
5.7 miles out and back. Moderate. Approximate time: 3-5 hours.
I personally think that all hiking in the snow is pretty magical, but this trail is especially wondrous. You’ll begin by climbing gently, passing the frozen 30-foot high Alberta Falls about a mile into your hike. The trail becomes steeper as you get closer to the lake, but you’ll be distracted by incredible scenery. Before reaching the lake, you’ll hike through a breathtakingly beautiful and dramatic gorge, with steep walls of colorful rocks towering above you on either side. The trail ends at a pristine alpine lake (Loch Vale), which will sparkle in all of its frozen, peaceful beauty.
For those seeking a bonus adventure, you can tack on an extra hike to Mills Lake, Black Lake, or Lake Haiyaha by following the signs at a junction about two miles from the trailhead.
Getting there: The hike begins at the Glacier Gorge trailhead, which can be easily accessed from either the Beaver Meadows or Fall River entrance.
Emerald Lake
3.5 miles out and back. Moderate. Approximate time: 2-4 hours.
There are a LOT of lake hikes that begin at the Bear Lake Trailhead. You can (and should) check them all out during the winter months when you don’t have to mess with the parking headaches, the shuttle (because you couldn’t find parking), and the crowds. The other Bear Lake trails that make great snowshoe hikes include Bear Lake (0.8 miles), Lake Helene (6.5 miles), and Bierstadt Lake (4.4 miles). I’m highlighting the Emerald Lake hike because it packs in not one, not two, but FOUR incredible lakes in a relatively short distance. Do you have someone in your life that says hiking is “boring”? This is the perfect trail to take that special someone on, and then gloat all the way home when they realize you’ve proven them wrong.
The trail starts at Bear Lake, then climbs up to the lovely Nymph Lake. After that, you’ll hug the shore of Nymph Lake before a short, steepish climb brings you to Dream Lake. One more climb brings you up to the gorgeous Emerald Lake, a satisfying reward to the rather steep section at the finish.
Getting there: To access the Bear Lake trail system, enter though the Beaver Meadows or Fall River entrance and take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road.
Sprague Lake
0.9 mile loop. Easy. Approximate time: 1 hour.
For those looking for a more mellow snowshoe hike, Sprague Lake is a fantastic option. This short, flat loop offers stunning views of the Continental Divide and the large lake itself. This hike really emphasizes the vast expansiveness of the wilderness that is Rocky Mountain National Park. The wide open views grant a wonderful sense of perspective, making the hiker feel small in the best possible way. Due to its easy accessibility, this trail is out of the question in the summer months if you don’t want to face hoards of loudly-talking, jeans-wearing tourists. In the winter, however, you’ll experience peace and relative solitude. This hike is lovely on its own, or as a warm-up or bonus-lap to another adventure.
Getting there: The Sprague Lake trailhead is located on Bear Lake Road, about five miles from the turn-off on Highway 36.
Estes Cone
6.5 miles out and back. Moderate. Approximate time: 4-5 hours.
This is a beautiful, varied hike that leads you though pine forests, past an old mine, and up to breathtaking views at the top of the cone. The trail starts by climbing at a moderate grade, then meandering through the forest on rolling hills. You’ll pass through a lovely clearing, and then up to excellent views of Long’s Peak. The final mile or so of the hike is pretty steep and rocky, but the views at the top are worth it. The summit boasts the kind of high mountain views that are typical of a fourteener, and we had it all to ourselves on a weekend! Be prepared to take off your snowshoes for the final climb. It’s ideal to have a way to strap them to your pack so your hands are free.
Getting there: To access the Estes Cone trail, enter the park through the Long’s Peak trailhead and look for signs at trail junctions that will guide you in the right direction.
Trail Ridge Road
Approximate time and distance varies. Out-and-back. Moderate.
For those who aren’t familiar, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in North America, and it runs East-West across the length of RMNP. It’s typically closed to cars from October to May, due to heavy snow cover. While this might be a loss for drivers, it is a big win for snowshoers! To experience this awesome hike, simply follow Highway 34 into the park (via the Beaver Meadows entrance) until it reaches the base of Trail Ridge Road. The road will be closed at this point. From there, park your car and start walking! You can go as far as you’d like, keeping in mind the time and energy you’ll need to make the return trip. The road can also be reached from a snowshoe trail that starts in the former Hidden Valley ski area.
Getting there: Follow Highway 34 into the park until you reach the base of Trail Ridge Road. If you’d like to access the hike from Hidden Valley, you’ll also follow Highway 34 towards Trail Ridge Road but you’ll see the parking area for Hidden Valley a little bit before reaching the base of Trail Ridge Road. There are also restrooms and a warming hut at this location.
Considerations
Avalanche & Hiking Safety
This is important. Many of the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park take you into the backcountry where avalanche danger may be higher. Make sure to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s website , call the ranger station (970-586-1206), and/or stop by the visitor’s center to get information on the latest conditions.
In addition to avalanche safety, it is also important to be prepared for winter hiking conditions.
Time
Keep in mind that it typically takes longer to cover a certain distance on snowshoes than it would hiking. Adjust your distances, expectations, and start times accordingly.
Navigation
Most of the trails described above are likely to be well-traveled, and you should be able to follow the footsteps of fellow hikers to navigate. That being said, way-finding in the snow can be challenging, and trail conditions can change quickly. Make sure to pay close attention that you are following the right tracks, as it’s easy to follow someone’s random detour without realizing it. Also, bring a map or-even better-bring your phone to navigate using GPS. Check out our tips for navigation in this post. (This post discusses navigation along the TMB, but the same principles can be applied to any trail). Finally, new snow can rapidly cover your tracks and make it very difficult to find your way back to your car, so make sure to watch the weather closely and turn around if you’re in doubt.
What to Pack
You can rent snowshoes from your local outdoor retailer or in Estes Park (although it’s typically a little more expensive near the park). Alternatively, you can buy a pair of good quality snowshoes for under $200 (and much less if you get them used). We love local producer Cresent Moon as well as MSR’s high quality options.
Make sure to dress in layers, as your body temperature and the outside conditions can vary greatly throughout the course of your trek. Start with a good baselayer, and then add or subtract additional layers underneath your outer jacket. We are obsessed with Merino wool these days, and this Smartwool shirt makes a perfect base.
In terms of footwear, waterproof snowboots are ideal, but you can also make it work with hiking boots and gaiters. A good pair of lightweight, yet toasty wool socks like these ones will certainly keep your feet happy.
Even though it’s cold out, be sure to bring sunscreen and eye protection to defend against the bright reflective winter rays. Additionally, you may not feel as thirsty, but it’s equally as important to stay hydrated in cold weather. Depending on the length of your outing, it may be a good idea to bring a daypack with a water bottle or hydration bladder, sunscreen, layers, and a few snacks.
Be sure to check out our Snowshoeing Packing List for a complete list of essentials!
Park Entrance Fees
Depending on which entrance you come in through, you will be required to pay an entrance fee to access the park. The Beaver Meadows entrance is staffed year-round, and you’ll almost certainly have to pay to pass through there. On the other hand, you might not have to pay if you hike from the Longs Peak trailhead. Remember that your money is supporting our amazing National Parks and it’s money well-spent for the opportunity to enjoy such beautiful wild places. More information on park entrance fees can be found here.
