Some park trails and areas remain closed due to fire impacts. Park staff will continue to assess these areas for safety and downed trees, being mindful of high winds that occur this time of year causing more trees to fall. Learn more here.
RMNP Trail Conditions Report as of November 12, 2024
Destination
Date
Description of Conditions Found
Hiked By
Bear, Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha traverse from Dream, and back to Bear - all on summer trails, except Bear to Nymph on winter trail.
11/11/2024
Waterproof hiking boots and gaiters advised. Traction devices are essential. Poles with snow baskets would be helpful to many. Flotation (snowshoes) not currently needed on close-by trails, but could be needed out farther (such as beyond Mills or the Loch, etc.).
Lakes are looking frozen, but should not be trusted, as it is early season and given the amount of open water visible at inlets and outlets.
It was possibly 50% solid slick ice between Bear and Emerald lakes; the rest was very hard-packed, slick snow. Traction devices are highly recommended, and many people who do not use them will likely slip, slide, work hard, and fall down because of the slippery conditions.
The trail from Dream Lake to the "Haiyaha traverse" was well-traveled and hard-packed snow; spikes were helpful here, too.The open water at each end of Dream Lake was significantly more frozen than last week. It is not safe to trust lake ice to be safe to walk on at this point in the season; always use caution and make safe decisions around all lakes and streams, especially in early season like we are currently still in.
Park Volunteer
Flattop Mountain
11/11/2024
The first three-quarters of a mile from Bear Lake was patchy ice. From the Flattop Trail turnoff to the area where tall conifers give way to Krumholtz was soft packed snow with a well-defined trail. Tall conifers blocked the ever-present wind. Once past the tall conifers winds produced alternating areas where the trail was free of snow to areas where drifts (much more prevalent) lead to post-holing to depths of 24 inches. Winds were blowing hard enough to create blowing snow all day (fine granular particles). The path taken by prior hikers deviated from the official trail in several locations leading again to post-holing up to 24 inches. Once well above the tree line, the trail more consistently followed the official trail, however, post-holing was fairly consistent all the way to where the grade flattens out near the summit. At this point the snow depth was about 6 inches. Hikers using snowshoes the last mile appeared to have a much easier time traversing the terrain off trail. Traction devices, winter hiking poles, sun block, and gaiters are strongly recommended.
Park Volunteer
Lumpy Ridge 11-mile Loop, including Gem Lake, junction to Cow Creek trail, junction to Black Canyon trail, ending at Lumpy Trailhead
11/10/2024
Traction devices would be very important early morning after overnight freeze. As the day warms up, ice can melt and get muddy and sloppy. There was almost constant solid ice from Lumpy Trailhead to Gem Lake, with a few sections of hard-packed snow and a few short sections totally clear. Broke trail in some areas.
Park Volunteer
Ouzel Falls
11/9/2024
Road was freshly plowed to winter parking. Snow was about 10-12" deep. No one had been down the road/trail so they used snowshoes. Broke trail all the way up to almost Ouzel Falls (had to turn around about 200 yds from Falls due to time constraints). Trail was discernable in most places- had to be careful at water crossings since they were not frozen solid but icy. Winds picked up in the afternoon, so their tracks were pretty well covered on the walk out. With warming weather, traction devices will probably be fine once the trail is tracked a bit more.
Park Volunteers
West Side Trails
11/6/2024
Up Highway 34 on the west side the trails have about 2 inches of packed snow. Mostly the trails are a mix of ice and mud.East Inlet and North Inlet Trails are mostly muddy. When it’s muddy, walk through the mud rather than around it to protect and preserve trails from erosion and other damage.
Ranger
Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, The Loch, Lake of Glass, Sky Pond, Alberta Falls
11/5/2024
"Winter" is now here, with snow everywhere. Starting at trailheads and roads, routes are frequently icy/snowy/slippery. It is highly recommended that all visitors have traction devices whenever they are out.
Early season snow covers unfrozen (or thinly-frozen) lakes and streams, and it would be easy to break through to unseen water. It is highly recommended to be very cautious around the edges of lakes and streams and not try to walk out on lakes.
Timberline Falls on the Sky Pond hike is now covered with snow (and likely ice as well very soon) and will be even more challenging and risky. Traction devices were not used except on the Timberline Falls scramble. As the number of hikers increases, trails get more and more packed and icy. Traction devices will be increasingly important as icy conditions under hard-packed/slippery snow develop.
While it is not yet avalanche season, it will come soon as the snowpack builds up. Most visitors would be wise to leave Sky Pond for summer months. Another example is the hike from Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, and possibly from Lake Haiyaha to the Loch/Mills Junction, as the traverse from Dream to Haiyaha will soon have slippery and avalanche-prone sections traversing the steep cliff area about 1/3 mile from the Dream intersection, and the traverse from Haiyaha to Loch/Mills will be difficult to follow for visitors who are not familiar with the route.
New snow made trail slippery. Hiking polies and traction devices advised.
It’s freezing up there overnight, so expect ice forming on Timberline Falls. Traction devices advised.
Park Volunteer
Bierstadt Lake Trail
10/7/2024
Beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024, the Bierstadt Lake parking area, located on Bear Lake Road on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, will be closed for a vault toilet replacement project. Weather and conditions permitting, this parking area, including a shuttle stop, will be closed for approximately six weeks.Due to the equipment necessary to complete this project, the size of the parking area and entrance and exit areas, the Bierstadt Lake parking area will be closed for the duration of the project. There will be no vehicle access and shuttle service will not be available at this stop. Vehicles will not be permitted to stop in the lane of traffic on Bear Lake Road to load/unload passengers.There are numerous trails that lead to Bierstadt Lake, including from Bear Lake, Hollowell Park and Park and Ride. To board the park’s free shuttles and to access other destinations along Bear Lake Road, hikers will have to use alternate trailheads.
Timber Lake Trail Be advised a landslide occurred summer 2014 two miles beyond the Timber Lake trailhead and goes all the way to the top of Jackstraw Mountain. That landslide is still there, is active and unstable, and continues to worsen each year.
Any time of year, and affected by season, elevation, slope, and exposure, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) can have extreme weather, and conditions can change quickly.In RMNP, all four seasons can happen in one day! Plan ahead and be prepared.
Any Time of Year: Choose Your Destination Wisely. 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.
Route-finding is important. RMNP trails are not marked in winter and following other tracks is not advised, as you don’t know where they lead, and wind and new snow obliterate tracks. When trails are covered in snow, signs may not be visible. Carry a map and compass or GPS and know how to use them.
Be Prepared for Conditions with Essentials. It is important to bring and use the right gear, especially suitable gear for the season.Plan that trails can be snowy much of the year. Depending on conditions and elevation, some trails can be icy and snowy September through midsummer. Do you have the right gear and equipment, and know how to use it?
Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended, as trails may be icy. Or depending on conditions after snowstorms or at higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised. Hiking poles are helpful for stability.
Food and water are essential no matter how long your hike.
Layers of wicking clothing and extra socks.
Waterproof outer layers and extra layers for warmth; in summer, raingear.
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
Wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole for hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction (ex. sneakers), sandals, flip flops, plastic clogs) can lead to cold toes, wet feet, slips, trips and falls.
Roads can be icy and snowy, especially in shady areas. Be prepared and know how to drive in wintery conditions. If the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is in place in RMNP, for your safety and the safety of other motorists, all vehicles must have properly rated tires with a minimum of 3/16” tread or an approved traction control device.
Fire Impacts Approximately 30,000 acres or 10 percent of RMNP has been impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires. Some park trails remain temporarily closed due to the level of fire impacts and ongoing safety assessments. This website is updated as trails reopen. Please see the link above.
REMEMBER, PETS ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL RMNP TRAILS, TUNDRA AND MEADOW AREAS
SNOTEL SITES AS OF November 12, 2024
There are several SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides a website where monitoring results are available.
Lake Irene (Site #565)
elevation 10,700’
10 inches snow
Phantom Valley (Site #688)
elevation 9030’
4 inches snow
Willow Park (Site #870)
elevation 10,700’
11 inches snow
Submit Your Own Trip Report
Send us an email, call (970) 586-1206, or stop by a park visitor center.
For Your Safety
These Trail Conditions reports are the viewpoints of the submitters, whether park staff, volunteers, or visitors. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Use these reports only as guidelines. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions.
Falling trees are ever-present hazards when traveling in the forest. Be aware of your surroundings. Dead trees can fall without warning!
Due to the September 2013 Flood, missing foot bridges, uneven trail surfaces, unstable slopes, falling trees due to soil moisture, rutted trails, damaged water bars and steps, standing water, difficult water crossings, and missing directional signs could be encountered. Most of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated wilderness, where self-reliance and adventure are expected. Hikers should be prepared to take responsibility for their own actions; search and rescue may be delayed. Be prepared to stay overnight even if you are a day hiker. Hiking poles may be helpful on uneven trails. Route finding skills may be required. Carry a map and compass and other backcountry travel essentials. Hike at your own risk.
Last updated: November 12, 2024
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park,
CO
80517
Phone:
970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter.
Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.
