Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park

imported
#1

Can anyone estimate how long it will take to hike the CDT trail through Rocky Mtn Nat’l Park. I’m planning to do it next June or July. Thanks.

Lady Treehugger

#2

If you are following the official route - the loop out of Grand Lake - it’s a weekend hike - about 2 long days. I’d wait until July though. We tried to get a permit in June 2006 (6/21 to be exact) and were denied because there was still too much snow. If you are hiking Jim Wolf’s route though the park, it would be longer because the route is not as well defined or used.

If you want a longer hike, get a permit for Indian Peaks and hike JW’s route there. It is much more scenic than the official route, but since you need a permit, most people stay on the official route there.

Ginny

#3

As Ginny said, the RMNP loop is mainly a weekenders loop (or a strong dayhikers one), but it is nice.

By coincidence, I just posted some info on it on my site:
snipurl.com/4tjld

If you subtract the hike from and back to Bear Lake, the loop from the Grand Lake side is ~26 miles and 4k+ feet elev gain.

As for the Indian Peaks, yep the “official” route misses some the best part of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Wolf route is rather nice. IF you are looking for a great loop in the IPW that also goes over the divide (2x), but is not on any designated route, check out the Pawnee Pass-Buchanan Pass route. One of my favorites:

snipurl.com/4tjk0

Paul Mags

#4

Thanks to both of you. This is good info and I will use it in my planning. We made our first visit out west to the park and did all the touristy things, but I was aching to get into the backcountry. Thanks again.

Lady Treehugger

#5

That RMNP and the Indian Peaks are (more or less) adjacent to each other. With the maps, you can easily make a nice extended trek if you want to explore the area a bit.

Paul Mags