Trail Conditions

 

Bierstadt Lake Trail in January

NPS/P.Allison

 

Hiking in Rocky!

Read this important safety message

Submit your own trip report

 

Longs Peak: View the Longs Peak Conditions Report

East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fire Closures: View Fire Information Area Closures

 

Trail Closures

East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fire Closures

• 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 January 16, 2025

 

Destination	Date	Description of Conditions Found	Hiked By
Bierstadt Lake Trail from Bierstadt Lake Trailhead	1/15/2025	From the Bierstadt Lake Parking Area to the lake, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow most of the way. There are sections exposed to the sun where snow has melted. These areas are very icy. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised. Winter navigation skills are helpful, as there are sections that are windblown and unless you know the trail, it is easy to walk off trail. Be wary of following footprints left by others, as many footprints have wondered off of the actual trail.	Park Volunteer
West Side Trails	1/2/25	In general, trails are snowy. Snowshoes are not necessary for the first mile or so on most trails because the trails are compacted. Snowshoes recommended on parts of trails not compacted. Colorado River, East Shore Trail, and East Inlet Trails are snowy and route-finding is important past the first mile.Holzwarth trail is compacted and windblown at least the first half-mile.Deeper snow upvalley and in the shade. Other west side trails: based on recent snow, route-finding and snowshoes with poles are important.	Park Ranger
Fern Lake from Fern Lake Winter Trailhead	Ongoing winter issue on Fern Lake Trail	The area drifts significantly in winter in the burned area (burned in the 2020 East Troublesome Wildfire) including the trail above The Pool to Fern Falls. Even snowshoes posthole in the drifted snow. The area drifts constantly with winter winds, so the trail does not really get compacted.	Park Volunteers
Dream Lake Trail Junction to Lake Haiyaha; Sky Pond	Ongoing winter issues	It is avalanche season. The route from Dream Lake Trail Junction to Lake Haiyaha means traversing the steep cliff area, which is snow-covered with little “trail” area, slippery and avalanche-prone.Also, most visitors would be wise to leave Sky Pond for summer months. The route traverses an avalanche-prone area and a waterfall, which it is icy.	Park Volunteers
Lumpy Ridge Trailhead 1 ½ mile loop	1/1/25	Very windy. Traction devices needed in shady areas. If you went to Gem Lake, you would definitely want traction.	Park Volunteers
Dream Lake and Emerald Lake	12/31/24	When the snow is packed down, traction devices are adequate, and hiking poles are recommended. Witnessed a woman break through the ice twice on the outlet end of Dream Lake. She got out with some effort but both feet were completely soaked. Following tracks can lead to thin ice. To avoid thin ice, take the summer trail bridge across the outlet stream below Dream Lake and stay to the right on to the lake, missing the outlet.	Park Volunteers
Beaver Mountain Loop including Upper Beaver Meadows Road	12/26/24	Upper Beaver Meadows Road is pretty clear. Used traction devices on the Beaver Mountain Loop.	Park Volunteers
Mills Lake and The Loch from Bear Lake via Alberta Falls	12/26/24	All trails were hard-packed snow (a few places solid ice) with no new snow accumulation anywhere along the route, except for locations where wind had blown snow across the trail.Traction devices were used and advised.	Park Volunteer
Cub Lake Loop	12/26/24	Cub Lake and then out via the Fern Lake Trail. Traction devices were appreciated, especially going down. The first 1½ miles to Cub Lake was mostly dry with several ice patches. The last mile or so to the lake is matted down with little snow. From the lake to the junction to Mill Creek Basin is dry. The stretch from there to The Pool is snow covered with little snow with some dry patches. The trail coming out is mostly dry with some ice patches. There are three trees down.	Park Volunteer

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.

Lakes Always proceed with caution around icy lakes, especially around inlets, outlets, and rocks, where the ice can be thin.

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 Thursday, January 16, 2025

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.

SNOTEL Website https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum= and every SNOTEL site has a unique Site Number. For example, Bear Lake is https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=322

Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 25 inches snow	Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 32 inches snow	Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 19 inches snow
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 11 inches snow	Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 45 inches snow	Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 27 inches snow
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 47 inches snow	Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 26 inches snow	Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 34 inches snow

 

Submit Your Own Trip Report

Send us an email, call [phone], 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.