View Full Version : RMNP May 20-26
A friend and I just bought plane tickets today to Denver (YEAY!:banana), and are planning a several night backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountain National Park May 20-26. We're still in the planning stage, but know we'd like to do some camping with fire rings (researching those sites now) and we'd like to do the Longs Peak area. This is my first trip to Colorado and both my friend and my first backpacking experience in the RMNP. For those that have been there that time of year, or for those that live near there, what do you think we should expect as far as the weather goes? I know that once you're up there the weather can change quite rapidly, but should we expect to see a lot of snow? I don't have alot of winter gear (yet) and am trying to figure out what I'll need to buy/pack.
Any tips/comments welcomed, and thanks!!
P.S. I wasn't sure if this was the right area to post this, but figured it was pretty close!
No Belay
03-15-2008, 17:07
Long's Peak is a beautiful area and pretty accessible. There are several alpine lakes in the area that are fantastic and worth the effort to get to. If you're trail hiking above tree line I'd suggest wearing boots as the horse damage to the main corridor trails is pretty extensive. Allot of ankle benders. Plan on seeing snow, allot of wind, plenty of H2O, and :sun. You'll see some of the Rockies most friendly Marmots above treeline, and moose, elk, deer, bear, and beaver below treeline. Most of the permitted sites have bear boxes but if you bushwhack/stealth camp, bear bag religiously. You're going to have a great trip. Savor it.
No Belay
03-15-2008, 17:27
Long's Peak is a beautiful area and pretty accessible. There are several alpine lakes in the area that are fantastic and worth the effort to get to. If you're trail hiking above tree line I'd suggest wearing boots as the horse damage to the main corridor trails is pretty extensive. Allot of ankle benders. Plan on seeing snow, allot of wind, plenty of H2O, and :sun. You'll see some of the Rockies most friendly Marmots above treeline, and moose, elk, deer, bear, and beaver below treeline. Most of the permitted sites have bear boxes but if you bushwhack/stealth camp, bear bag religiously. You're going to have a great trip. Savor it.
Thanks, that helps!! Footwear is one of the next things on my list...and will definitely take bear bagging to heart.
Spirit Walker
03-16-2008, 13:40
In May you may not be able to get a permit for backpacking the backcountry - there will still be too much snow. We tried last June and were denied a permit for the section of the CDT that runs through the park. The high country in Colorado doesn't become snow free until mid to late June in a normal year. I think the snow levels are above normal this year.
Do you have snowshoes?
Yep. Late May is still winter in the high country of Colorado in terms of snow pack for sure. This year, there is much snow in Colorado - we are about 125% (IIRC) above average. It is snowing as I type!
Unless you have winter backpacking experience, you may not find it enjoyable. Snowshoeing is not technically hard, but can be tiring esp. if you are not used to elevation. Snow camping also requires a skill set you may not have if you need to purchase equipment.
As for Longs Peak - you may be able to do lower elevation hikes in the area (Estes Cone, Twin Sisters), but Longs itself will not be open for "normal" hiking until at least mid-July (if not later!) this year. Even the lower hikes will probably have a fair amount of snow this year.
I know you are set on backpacking in the park, but in late May, car camping with lower elevation (but still beautiful) hikes may be your best bet to see the park.
I am sorry if I sound a bit pessimistic, but I'd hate to see you and your friend fly out to do something that is a lot different than you expected. :)
I can give some favorite hikes if you'd like. They are lower, really show off some nice parts of the park.
ps. I plan on backpacking myself this time of the year (my birthday is May 19th) ..but it will be in Utah. :)
Thanks Mags!! Honestly, I was hoping you'd post something...
I'd love to know some of your favorite hikes, if you don't mind sharing.
Do you plan on spending the whole week in the park or are you open to other places as well? Having said that:
A few hikes in the park that come to mind right away:
TWIN SISTERS: http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=64
WONDEFUL views towards Longs Peak, Meeker and the Continental Divide. I love this hike and do it usually 2x a year.
Photos: http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=36&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=16096&g2_page=1
DEER MOUNTAIN: What I call a great "view to effort ratio hike". Even the views from the trailhead are great. The ever present views of Longs Peak along with views towards the Mummy Range
http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=96
Photos: http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=36&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=13362
The above two hikes may have patches of snow in late May, but you should be OK with poles.
WILD BASIN:
A little lower (and probably snow free) is the Wild Basin area of the park.
Ouzel Falls is worth a visit. With the snow melt in late May, it is probably going to rather nice!
http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=12
LUMPY RIDGE:
If you want to backpack (or maybe a more strenuous day hike), I almost forgot about a wonderful year round hike. Nothing dramatic buy very pretty.
Wide open meadows. Old homesteads. A pretty little lake. And a great side trip to Bridal Veil Falls. If you do the side trip, this loop is almost 14 miles. There are some back country campsites, so you could do a mellow two day backpacking trip VERY easily:
http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=19
Photos: http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=36&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=15092&g2_page=21
Five days of hiking (assuming you split lumpy ridge into a backpacking trip :) ) in the park should get you started. ;)
I suggest ordering Trails Illustrated map: 200 for RMNP
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/376/269/246.html
You can pick up this map just about any where in Colorado, too.
If you have ANY questions, please let me know.
Thanks so much!! Great info, of course. Honestly, I've been curious myself about the Twin Sisters as they've been referred to in many books that I've read... I'll keep you posted after I've done some more reading and have met with my friend for round 2 of planning. P.S. Love the pics!
Sounds like a plan. If you have any more questions, give me a shout.
Spirit Walker
03-18-2008, 00:04
Mags - where in Utah will you be on May 19th?
Mags - where in Utah will you be on May 19th?
Very tentative at this point. I just want to get out there for my birthday.
It may be in the Moab area, though.
I was supposed to go last year, but things came up where I was not able to make it.