5 difficult, yet rewarding hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is full of rugged wilderness terrain. If you’re a skilled hiker up for a challenging hike, consider one of these five difficult trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Editor’s Note: With a more difficult hike often comes more risk. Be prepared to encounter dangerous situations and always be aware of incoming weather prior to embarking on any adventure. Let someone know where you’re headed and when you’ll be back.
Fern Lake (Photo) Credit Christian Collins (Flickr)
1. Bear Lake to Fern Lake
Outstanding views of towering mountain cliffs surrounding Fern Lake reward hikers on this difficult trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to the views, a 60-foot waterfall, a boulder site named Arch Rocks, and rich forest is found along this route.
Distance: 7.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Photo Credit: Christian Collins (Flickr).
Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo) Credit Spencer McKee
2. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail
Sky Pond seems to hover among the clouds as it sits at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikers are rewarded with dramatic scenes of the jagged rock formation dubbed Sharkstooth at the lake, the refreshing yet tough scramble up Timberline Falls, and the final accomplishment of reaching one of Colorado’s most beloved gems.
Distance: 9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,780 feet
Pictured are the Cathedral Spires tower above Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park as Spencer McKee travels across the frozen lake.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado.
Bluebird Lake (Photo) Credit Alex Ford (Flickr)
3. Bluebird Lake
The hike to Bluebird Lake features delicate alpine wilderness and more in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikers are accompanied by several waterfalls, including the Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, throughout the hike. This trek becomes difficult toward Bluebird Lake as the trail becomes rugged and steep.
Distance: 12.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,490 feet
Photo Credit: Alex Ford (Flickr).
Chasm Lake (Photo) Credit Surrounding Peaks
4. Chasm Lake via East Longs Peak Trail
Intriguing trees are found on the difficult hike to Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. After about 2.5 miles, hikers enter the subalpine zone – at about 10,700 feet of elevation – and see a landscape dominated with krummholz, a German term that translates to “twisted wood.” These trees are stunted and irregularly shaped due to strong winds that are frequent at this elevation. Route finding and scrambling are required during the last section of the of trail to Chasm Lake, then hikers are finally given the views of the alpine lake amid stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains.
Distance: 8.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,456
Photo Credit: Surrounding Peaks.
Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo) Credit Alyssa Barg
5. Longs Peak
Rocky Mountain National Park’s only fourtener (a mountain with summit elevation of 14,000 feet or higher) is not to be missed by those equipped for a difficult hike. Longs Peak towers to 14,259 feet above sea level at its highest point and is seen from nearly anywhere inside Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike requires climbing across sheer rock faces and scrambling over loose rocks and narrow ledges. Hikers can visit the Agnes Vaille Shelter, take in the views of Powell Peak, McHenry Peak, Glacier Gorge, and Black Lake.
Distance: 12.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,825 feet
Author’s Note: The hike to Longs Peak is very dangerous, no matter the hiker’s ability level. Loose rock, quick changes in weather, and high elevation all pose potentially deadly risks to those who climb Longs Peak. Be sure you know your limits and ability before attempting the climb. Read more about the trek here.
Spencer McKee of OutThere Colorado on the Narrows section of the Longs Peak “Keyhole” route in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Barg.
Emerald Lake Hike Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo) Credit SeanXu (iStock)
BONUS
Not ready for a difficult journey or want to take in the views without a strenuous hike? Here are five moderate and five beginner hiking trails to try in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Photo Credit: SeanXu (iStock).
Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife (Photo) Credit: Tim Speer (iStock)
Leave No Trace
Due to the extremely heavy visitor traffic Rocky Mountain National Park experiences each year, it is crucial to minimize human impact when in the park. The seven Leave No Trace principles are a guide to being a responsible Colorado Adventurer, with steps including to pack out all trash and waste, be prepared by checking the weather forecast, trail conditions, parking availability, road closures, and other conditions; stay on the trail at all times, and respecting wildlife by never approaching or feeding them. Read more about Leave No Trace here.
Photo Credit: Tim Speer (iStock)
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.