Estes Cone (11,006') | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 05/08/21 | 6.71 miles | 2,003' gain In an effort to avoid a ton of fresh snow, Diana and I searched for a hike that was missed by a recent spring snowstorm. The Estes Park area seemed to be outside the storm's reach, …
A fresh snowfall had closed down Kyle's jobsite and he unexpectedly had a Thursday off work. Unfortunately, those of us who work from home don't get snow days, but I was able to finish up my work in the morning and we headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park for the afternoon. Neither of us …
Continue reading RMNP: February Mini-Hikes | Colorado | 02/18/21
Deer Mountain (10,013') | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 12/06/20 | 6.19 miles | 1,397' gain If you've ever driven into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) from the main Beaver Meadows entrance station, you've certainly seen Deer Mountain. It's a low, forested peak on the right hand side of the road. If …
Continue reading RMNP: Deer Mountain (10,013′) | Colorado | 12/06/20
Ute Trail (West) | Rocky Mountain National Park Grand Lake, CO | 08/20/20 | 5.11 miles | 231' gain Tori and I decided to take a tourist day in Rocky Mountain National Park. She hadn't spent much time in Rocky and was missing out on the many fun stops along Trail Ridge Road. Our main …
Continue reading RMNP: Ute Trail (West) | Colorado | 08/20/20
Cub Lake Loop | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 07/25/20 | 5.65 miles | 655' gain Something about 2020 and plans just didn't go together. Tori and I planned on hiking Bear Lake to Fern Lake in Rocky, but by 6am the Bear Lake parking lot was already full. We'd brought two …
Mount Ida (12,881') | Rocky Mountain National Park Grand Lake, CO | 06/27/20 | 9.94 miles | 2,358' gain Mount Ida had been on my wish list for years but I just never seemed to make the time for it. I gave it a shot in 2019 but there was still too much snow in …
Continue reading RMNP: Mount Ida (12,881′) | Colorado | 06/27/20
On the first day of Rocky Mountain National Park's (RMNP) new reservation system, I decided to leave work early and check it out for myself. Hundreds of tickets were still available so I had no trouble purchasing one. (Only $2 for me since I have an annual pass.) The National Park had opened a few …
Continue reading RMNP: June Mini-Hikes | Colorado | 06/04/20
Bridal Veil Falls via Cow Creek Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 02/29/20| 6.57 miles | 993' gain Oftentimes I enjoy hiking with people and dogs, but sometimes hiking by myself is just what I need to reset. It'd been a while since I'd hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park and …
Continue reading RMNP: Bridal Veil Falls via Cow Creek Trail | Colorado | 02/29/20
Balanced Rock | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 01/25/20| 8.08 miles | 1,807' gain For my first redemption hike of 2020, I met up with my friend Sarah who will be moving out of state soon. (Note: By redemption hike, I mean a hike that I'd attempted in the past but couldn't …
Kyle and I haven't spent much time in Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter, but it seemed like a great place to spend a beautiful (almost) winter afternoon. I have a long list of hikes that I want to do one day, many of which are in Rocky, and some of which are so …
Continue reading RMNP: Sprague & Bierstadt Lakes | Colorado | 12/01/19
Colorado Chelsea 