Trail Conditions

 

Gem Lake Trail

NPS Photo

Trail Conditions Report, Updated June 16, 2026

Late spring is here! Be prepared for warm day and cool evenings. Some winter weather is still possible, so take time to check the weather before heading to the park. There is still some snow and ice on trails in areas above 10,000 feet in elevation.

This report is a general guide. By the time you start your hike, conditions on trails in RMNP could be the same, better, or worse than what is described below.

Before Your Next Hike, Be Prepared For the Unexpected:

• Download the NPS Trip Planning Guide and
• Create an Outdoor Emergency Plan!

*Remember - Your Safety is Your Responsibility*

 

Trail Advisory for the East Inlet Trail in RMNP

NPS Map

Trail Advisory for the East Inlet Trail Before Lone Pine Lake

A section of the East Inlet Trail, located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead and before Lone Pine Lake is currently hazardous and nearly impassable for stock use due to downed trees.

RMNP Trail Crews are actively working to clear and restore the route.

Visitors recreating on the East Inlet Trail are advised to use extreme caution and expect difficult travel conditions. It is recommended to consider avoiding stock travel in the affected area until needed trail work is complete.

Heading to Adams Falls?

Adams Falls is located before the affected section of trail. Access from the East Inlet Trailhead to Adams Falls is not impacted.

 

Hiking Safety - Pay Attention to Trees and Tree Branches

When hiking in forest areas, pay attention to the trees near you. Know that falling trees and tree branches are an ever-present hazard year-round in RMNP.

When hiking, take time to look up and be aware of your surroundings.

• Trees and branches can fall without warning.

 

Things to Know Before Your Next Hike:

Plan ahead and be prepared for varying weather and conditions. In RMNP, you can experience all four seasons in one day!

Any Time of Year - Be prepared: Choose your hiking destination wisely. Know your personal limits and choose a trail that meets your goals within your limits. Be willing to turn back for any reason. Always tell someone where you are going, where you will be parked, what your intended route is, when you plan to be back home, and then let them know when you return.

Carry the 10 Essentials: Know the ten essentials and carry them with you when hiking.

Route-finding is important. It is recommended to carry a map and compass and a GPS, and know how to use them.

Be Prepared. It is important to bring and use the right gear, especially suitable gear for the season. High elevation trails can be covered with snow and ice into the summer season.

Important questions to consider - Do you have the right gear and equipment for your hike? Do you know how to use your gear?

• Food and water are essential no matter how long your hike.

• Wear layers of wicking clothing and pack extra socks.

• Bring waterproof outer layers (rain gear/snow gear/windproof jacket) and extra layers for warmth. During the summer season, be prepared for afternoon rain storms.

• Pack a hat and gloves, sunglasses or goggles, and sunscreen any time of year. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days. Protect your eyes from the sun and blowing snow.

• It is advised to wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole when hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction, sandals, high-heeled shoes, flip flops, and/or clogs can all lead to cold toes, wet feet, and slips, trips and falls.

Pets: Pets are prohibited on all trails, tundra, and meadows areas in Rocky Mountain National Park. For details, see RMNP's Pets Webpage.

 

Example of traction devices on the bottom of a boot

NPS Photo

Be Weather Aware When Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

For your comfort and safety, take time to check the weather before your next trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Know that the weather can change rapidly. Be prepared to turn back if needed.

Know that:

• Weather can change based on elevation and throughout the day. Expect to find snow on high elevation trails.
• Wear warm layers of clothing that will help protect your skin from the cold.
• Waterproof boots and warm wicking socks can help keep your feet dry

When Hiking on Icy Trails, Use Traction Devices

Traction devices can be helpful when hiking on icy or snowpacked trails, even during the summer season.

There are many different styles available to choose from. Traction devices usually slip on and attach to the bottom of your boots and help provide traction when walking on trails with hard-packed snow and ice. Traction devices are available for rent or purchase at outdoor recreation stores located in communities near RMNP.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Conditions Report

 

Destination	Date	Description of Conditions Found	Reported By
General Conditions for All Trails in RMNP	June 16, 2026	Conditions vary on trails throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. Lower elevation trails in areas below 9,000 feet are mostly dry. Areas could be wet or muddy. For higher elevation trails in areas above 10,000 feet could still have some snow and ice on the trails. This time of the year, it is recommended to carry traction devices and be ready to use them in areas that are snowpacked and icy. June 1 marks the end of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's daily avalanche forecasts for the 2025/2026 season. Throughout the summer, CAIC will continue to monitor conditions, review observations, and update forecast summaries when conditions change or new information becomes available. Avalanche season doesn’t end just because daily forecasts do. Avalanches remain possible anywhere snow exists, and if unusually dangerous conditions develop, updates will be shared. Learn more about spring and summer avalanche safety at https://avalanche.state.co.us/summer-avalanche-safety. As always, conditions can change frequently and rapidly, so visitors may find conditions that are the same as, better, or worse than what is described in this report.	Park Ranger
Alpine Ridge Trail	June 16, 2026	Alpine Ridge Trail is open for the season. The trail is mostly clear of snow and ice. Stay on the designated trail and do not cross any ropes to help protect fragile alpine plants.	Park Ranger
East Inlet Trail	June 16, 2026	A section of the East Inlet Trail, located on the west side of RMNP approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead and before Lone Pine Lake, is currently hazardous and nearly impassable for stock use due to downed trees. RMNP Trail Crews are actively working to clear and restore the route. Visitors recreating on the East Inlet Trail are advised to use extreme caution and expect difficult travel conditions. It is recommended to consider avoiding stock travel in the affected area until needed trail work is complete. Adams Falls is located before the affected section of trail. Access from the East Inlet Trailhead to Adams Falls is not impacted.	Park Ranger
Bear Lake Nature Trail	June 15, 2026	The Bear Lake Nature Trail is clear of snow and mostly dry.	NPS Volunteer
Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain	June 15, 2026	From Bear Lake to the Odessa/Fern Lakes trail junction, the trail was dry with no noticible issues. There are two fallen trees across the trail that you will have to navigate around. From Dream Lake Overlook to Emerald Lake Overlook, there are still many small patches of snow and ice on the trail. Many sections in this area are wet and muddy from metling snow. From Emerald Lake Overlook to the summit of Flattop Mountain, there are larger pathces of snow and ice on the trail, with one large snowfield above the horse hitching rail. Traction devices and hiking poles are helpful on this section. If you continue from the summit to the junction with the Continental Divide trail, enjoy the view looking down on Odessa Lake.	NPS Volunteer
Gem Lake Trail	June 13, 2026	From the Gem Lake Trailhead at Lumpy Ridge to Gem Lake, the trail was mostly dry. There are places where the trail was wet and muddy.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes	June 11, 2026	From Bear Lake to Nymph Lake, the trail is mostly dry. As you continue above Nymph Lake, there are areas that are wet and muddy below Dream Lake. There were some large puddles near the Dream-Haiyaha junction. As you continue up the trail from Dream to Emerald Lake, the trail is wet and muddy, especially near the staircase section.	NPS Volunteer
Bear Lake to Lake Helene and Odessa Lake	June 9, 2026	From Bear Lake to Lake Helene, the trail is now snow free for most of the route. There is still snow in the "banana bowl" crossing section of the trail. The banana bowl area was very wet and muddy on both sides of the trail. From Lake Helene toward Odessa Lake, there is a slippery, section covered with snow. If traveling on this section of trail, use caution. Traction devices and hiking poles are recommended.	NPS Volunteer
Longs Peak & Chasm Lake	June 14, 2026	Conditions are changing rapidly and frequently (daily & even hourly!) during this "shoulder season" time of the year, so conditions may be the same as, better, or worse than what is described below. Remember - Your safety is your responsibility. Despite continued snowmelt at lower elevations, winter conditions persist on the upper elevations of Longs Peak. The trail is now snow free to the Boulderfield, but above that, all major summit routes on Longs Peak are partially to entirely snow and ice covered. Any venture beyond the trailhead will require proper winter equipment, route-finding skills, and knowledge of winter travel. Travelers should expect to encounter snow and ice, extremely cold temperatures, avalanche hazards, and high winds. Click here to view the Longs Peak Conditions Report for details and recent photos	Park Ranger

 

Bear Lake Plaza and Trailhead

NPS Photo

Submit Your Own Trail Conditions Report

Have you recently been out recreating on any trail inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Would you like to share with others what conditions on the trail was like?

To submit a trail conditions report:

• 💻 Fill out and submit an RMNP Trail Conditions Report online
• ☎️ Call Rocky Mountain National Park staff at 970-586-1206 and share a report over the phone.
• 🏫 Stop by a Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers and fill out a report in person.

 

How Much Snow is in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Areas and trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park below 10,000 feet are currently snow free. Trails could be wet and muddy. Water could be flowing across sections of trails. Continue to expect snow and ice on trails located above 10,000 feet in elevation.

How do we know how much snow is in the park? There are several SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. These are monitored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and there is a website available where anyone can see current and past snow depth information specific to each location.

The main SNOTEL Website is: https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=

Every SNOTEL site has a unique site number. For example, the site number for Bear Lake is 322. To see information specific to Bear Lake, visit https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=322

Update on June 16, 2026

For snow depth at all SNOTEL Sites inside RMNP, see the chart below:

Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 0 inches of snow	Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 0 inches snow	Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 0 inch of snow
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 0 inches snow	Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 1 inch of snow	Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 0 inches snow
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 0 inches snow	Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 0 inches snow	Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 0 inches snow

 

Photos Showing Trail Conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Bear Lake on June 15, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

 

Flattop Mountain Trail near Emerald Lake Overlook on June 15, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

 

Snowfield on the trail near the summit of Flattop Mountain on June 15, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

 

Junction with Flattop Mountain Trail and the CDT/Tonahutu Trail on June 15, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

 

Gem Lake Trail on June 13, 2026

NPS Photo