Rocky Mountain NP 2007
July 28th through August 11th
Trip Reports
Links to the trip reports are on the left in the order we hiked them. Some of them may not be complete yet.
Vacation Overview
This is the seventh time we've visited RMNP. Ben stayed home to continue enjoying his last summer before starting classes at the University of Minnesota. He prefers World of Warcraft to hiking in the mountains!? So this time it's just Sandy, Ali, and me. Once again, we're staying at the Swiftcurrent Lodge in Estes Park.
Day 1 - Saturday, July 28th - On the Road
We got started after 10:00 a.m. On our way south, towards Des Moines, I picked up some trekking poles at the Cabela's in Owatonna, MN. After that, no stops until Council Bluffs for an Arby's sandwich and some gas. At North Platte, we settled into the Country Inn by 9:00 p.m. Most of the day was cloudy with occasional light rain, so it kept the ride cooler than most prior trips.
Day 2 - Sunday, July 29th - Arrival
In the morning, we headed to Sidney, NE for our traditional Perkins breakfast. It was a misty, rainy morning, but it cleared up before Cheyenne. Skies were partly cloudy in Estes Park, and it started to rain while we were getting groceries. By 2:00 p.m., we were settled into our cabin at Swiftcurrent Lodge, and by 4:00 p.m. the weather was nice again. A bit later, the three of us took a hike up Eagle Cliff.
Day 3 - Monday, July 30th - Estes Cone via Storm Pass TH
We've hiked Estes Cone from the Longs Peak TH and the Lily Lake TH. On this, our third climb of the Cone, we decided to start from Bear Lake Road. Both for the different route, and increased distance. This route is the longest of the three. The weather was clear and calm in the morning, and remained so for the entire hike. However, the views of distant peaks were hazy. The summit was warm and sunny, and we had it all to ourselves.
Day 4 - Tuesday, July 31st - Otis Peak - Hallett
Today we hiked Otis Peak. Our route was Bear Lake TH to Lake Haiyaha, and then up the North East slope to the summit. We went to Lake Haiyaha, took a short break, and then back tracked a very short distance before leaving the trail. On the return, we went through the saddle to Hallett, and finally descended to Flattop and down to Bear Lake. Like yesterday, the weather was clear, although hazy, and cool. Quite chilly on the summit of Otis.
Day 5 - Wednesday, August 1st - Half Mountain
We made our second attempt at Half Mountain this morning. Our first try was unsuccessful, and started from the Storm Pass TH. This time we started from the Glacier Gorge TH. Once passed the cliffy west-face, we left the trail. It was fairly steep, and took us about an hour and a half to reach the summit from the trail. On the descent, we angled more to the east. This traded a shallower grade for a bit more distance.
Day 6 - Thursday, August 2nd - Fairchild Mountain
The weather was a question mark today. It started out cloudy, and remained adequate for reaching the summit. I turned back about half way to Lawn Lake because I wasn't feeling well. Sandy and Ali reached the summit, but as they started their descent, fog and clouds rolled in over the summit and the saddle. When they made it back to Lawn Lake, it started to rain, and continued for the entire 6 miles back to the TH.
Day 7 - Friday, August 3rd - Deer Mountain
After three rigorous hikes, we decided to get up a little later for an easy hike. The weather was cloudy and cool, but very nice for the hike up. As usual, the views along the trail and from the summit were very nice.
Day 8 - Saturday, August 4th - Thunder Lake
This was our first hike to Thunder Lake. Our plan, depending on how we felt and the weather, was to continue past Thunder to Lake of Many Winds, and possibly up to Boulder-Grand Pass. We made good time to the lake, but upon arrival we found the pass and surrounding summits hidden in heavy grey clouds. I made a quick trek to the other end of the lake, and then we called it a day.
Day 9 - Sunday, August 5th - Thatchtop
Today was another new hike for us. The weather was more cooperative, and after climbing up to Shelf and Solitude Lakes, we made an ascent of Thatchtop. During our descent from the summit and the lakes, clouds were building into an early afternoon storm on the eastern side of Glacier Gorge. We hiked out in the trailing edge of it, and only suffered a brief shower. Further down the trail at Mills Lake, there was heavier rain and hail. But by the time we arrive there, the weather had cleared, and remained so back to the TH.
Day 10 - Monday, August 6th - Odessa Loop
We opted for another moderate hike today, after yesterdays workout. Starting out at the Fern Lake TH, we hiked the Odessa Loop up to Bear Lake. This is a route we've all enjoyed before. All morning the the peaks above us were capped with grey, misty clouds. The conditions we nice for the climb, although it was too cold and windy at Odessa Lake to stay more than a few minutes. Sandy and Ali got ahead of me when I to a quick hike around the west side of Odessa while they continued the climb. Later, I passed them while they took a side trip out to Two Rivers Lake. The weather was a little warmer and sunnier on the descent to Bear Lake.
Day 11 - Tuesday, August 7th - Frozen Lake
This was the second time Ali and Sandy hiked to Frozen Lake, and my first time. The weather looked good, and we were prepared for the possibility of extending up towards Stone Man Pass. When we reached the lake, clouds were building on the other side of the gorge, similar to our hike to Thatchtop. It was cool and breezy at the lake, and no one felt like climbing further. After a nice break, we headed back, still under partly cloudy skies. Once down below the shelf, descending towards Black Lake, Sandy and Ali pulled ahead of me. They made it back to the TH dry, but I was about 20 minutes behind, and hiked the last few tenths of a mile in a steady shower.
Day 12 - Wednesday, August 8th - Sandbeach Lake
Today the weather was clear and cool, and was forecast to be even nicer tomorrow. So Sandbeach Lake was chosen as a rest day before a bigger hike on Thursday. At the lake, it clear, but chilly with a steady light wind. Since there wasn't much activity to spy on Longs, Ali and Sandy decided to head back after a short stay, and do some climbing on the rock formations about 20 minutes from the TH. I took a short excursion to get some pictures to show how to get onto the foot of Mount Orton from the lake. Useful information for hikes up to Chiefshead via the North Slope.
Day 13 - Thursday, August 9th - Longs - Storm/Mt.Lady Washington
Today's weather was very nice. I dropped Sandy and Ali off at the Longs Peak TH, and then found a parking spot a quarter mile back down the road. They set off on a quick pace to summit Longs. Meanwhile, my plan was to make a tour of the boulder field. I summitted Storm Peak while the girls were just about to finish the Homestretch. I descended Storm, arcing towards the Keyhole, and crossed over to Chasm View. From there, I skirted around the western of summit Mt. Lady Washington, and ascended the eastern summit about the time Ali and Sandy were just leaving the boulder field to return to the TH. They completed the round trip in just under 8 hours. I finished up about 50 minutes later.
Day 14 - Friday, August 10th - Emerald Lake
For our last hike, we wanted something a little lighter, but left open the possibility to extend. The weather was nice at the start, and we quickly reached Emerald Lake. Things looked good, so we continued from the lake, and began to climb up the canyon towards Pool of Jade. As we began to climb, isolated grey clouds were passing over the surrounding summits. We decided to climb one hour, and choose yeah or nay based on weather and how we felt. After about 40 minutes, the sky cleared, but the wind picked up quite a bit. We took a short break for a snack and picture, and then turned back. Down at Emerald Lake the wind was strong. We finished up early, and spent time relaxing at the cabin before packing up for our trip home tomorrow.
Day 15 - Saturday, August 11th - Departure
We left Swiftcurrent Lodge at about 5:30am. After a nice big breakfast at Perkins in Cheyenne, we continued to the outskirts of Lincoln Nebraska for gas. We were making good time, until we had to pass through a heavy thunder storm about 30 miles south of home. We arrived home safely at about 10:00pm.