Guide to Hiking Mount Ida: What You Need to Know

My puppy, Luna, woke me up before the sun, so this morning as I sip my much-needed coffee, I want to share about our most recent hike up Mount Ida in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado with you.

Rocky Mountain National Park

You can skip this section if you are already knowledgeable about RMNP, but for the first-time traveler, or the “I haven’t been here in 10 years” couple, Rocky Mountain National Park is located about an hour and a half from Denver, Colorado. You can expect big mountain views and to see wildlife including elk, deer, and even moose. You can also expect crowds, especially during the peak summer and autumn seasons. National Park passes are required to gain entry into the park. Timed-entry permits are also required for certain times and areas of the park like the popular Bear Lake Road.

Click here for more information about Fees and Passes for Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Best Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park

What is the best hike in Rocky Mountain National Park? My husband informed me that Mt. Ida was rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on the All Trails app, which probably makes this hike one of the best for many people. After our experience yesterday, I can see why. The panoramic views at the top make the nearly 10 mile round-trip trek worth it. We also noticed that the hike was much less crowded than other hikes we’ve enjoyed. There are also real challenges with this hike which would make it less than ideal for some hikers. I’ll explain those challenges in this post too.

The “Great Divide”

When we visit Rocky Mountain National Park, we stay in Estes Park, Colorado. The hike to Mt. Ida begins at Milner Pass, so we drove up and over Trail Ridge Road to get to the trailhead. We left our house right at 7am and drove 50 minutes to the trailhead via the Fall River park entrance. We were lucky to find a spot, (usually we would aim to leave by 6am). With an early start, we didn’t need to procure a timed-entry permit nor did we have a long line at the park entrance.

Milner Pass marks the Continental Divide, also known as the “Great Divide”, which according to park signage is the point where water drainage separates to eventually travel to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Tip: Take advantage of the bathrooms near the parking lot before heading up on the tundra.

Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hiking the Ute Trail

Next to the parking lot, you will see beautiful Poudre Lake and signage for the Ute Trail. You can follow the Ute Trail up to the Alpine Visitor Center or depart from it to Mount Ida. At Poudre Lake the air feels crisp and thin. This hike begins at 10,755 ft of elevation. Because of the high starting elevation, I would not recommend this hike to anyone as a first-day hike. It’s better to start with shorter, lower elevation hikes to acclimate.

Want recommendations for lower-elevation hikes? Here is a list from a previous post: Lower Elevation Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The first mile or so winds steadily up hill through forest before the trail splits. Signage points to the Alpine Visitor Center or Mount Ida. This is the last official National Park sign you will see along the trail. We veered right to follow the trail leading up to Mount Ida after noting the warning that much of the trail is above tree-line. The tundra can be windy, sunny, cold, and dangerous in a lightning storm.

We packed extra gear including rain coats, warm hats, water, and sunscreen to help with the conditions. We also paid attention to the weather. We lucked out with a sunny and mostly clear morning.

We’ve been taking our girls hiking in the mountains each summer since they were infants. It hasn’t always been easy, but now that they are 11 and 9-years-old, they are leading the way on our hikes with energy and enthusiasm. It’s getting harder for me to keep up!

Mount Ida Rocky Mountain National Park — Mount Ida summit

Most of the hike is a distinct, easy to follow trail, but towards the top, there is a bit of a scramble and way-finding. It felt comparable to Twin Sisters Peak which we climbed earlier in the season. This hike gains a total of 2,400 ft in elevation. The summit sits at 12,881 ft.

Want additional details? Check out this helpful post from Colorado Mountain Club or on RockyMountainHikingTrails.com.

The 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains were breath-taking, but my favorite view was the emerald lakes and glaciers seen below.

Marmots on Mount Ida — Marmot on Mount Ida

Wildlife on the Tundra

We spotted several elk in the distance and at least twenty marmots on our hike. Other hikers we talked to said they saw a moose on the trail to the Alpine Visitor Center. Beyond animals, I love the delicate wildflowers that live on the tundra.

At the summit, we took pictures and enjoyed a snack before heading back down the mountain. We cruised down the mountain compared to our pace going up. The strong winds made it less desirable to stop along the way. The total distance is close to 10 miles. To reward our effort, we enjoyed Antonio’s Pizza in Estes Park.

Key Takeaways

In summary, this hike is a challenging 10 mile trek that starts above 11,000 ft in elevation and gains over 2,400 feet in elevation. Most of the trail is unprotected in the tundra. Hiking above the tree-line has some risks, but you also enjoy unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. This well-rated hike could easily become your next favorite.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my first experience hiking Mount Ida. I hope it inspires you to try out a new trail this summer. If you have a suggestion for our next hike in Rocky Mountain National Park (or surrounding area), please leave a note in the comments. We love hiking recommendations!

Celebrating my Husband’s 40th Birthday in Rocky Mountain National Park

I can’t think of a better place to spend a milestone birthday than my husband’s favorite mountain town, Estes Park, CO. His birthday is close to Memorial Day, and right after school ended for the year, so we had many reasons to celebrate and rest after the end-of-school-year sprint. Today I’m going to share the hikes we enjoyed and the wildlife we spotted on our recent trip.

Memorial Day Adventures in Rocky Mountains

Memorial Day feels like the unofficial start to summer, but when you come to the mountains, you can still expect cool air and some snow, especially at higher elevations. We chose our hikes based on their relatively lower elevations and current trail status. Expect rapid weather changes. It’s always best to start hikes in the morning, so you are below treeline before common afternoon thunderstorms.

Hiking Gear to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots – after checking trail conditions we determined that we didn’t need extra traction like Yaktrax which can be helpful when the trails have more snow and ice.
Hiking socks -I can’t say enough about wool hiking socks. Each time I forget them, I regret my decision. They make such a difference!
Adjustable poles – I find trekking poles are helpful on my way back down mountains to absorb impact on my knees.
Small hiking backpacks – We packed essentials like snacks, water, and sunscreen.
Rain jacket and layers
Sunglasses and/or hat
Breathable quick-dry fabrics

Deer Mountain

Along with having stunning views and being one of the more moderate summit hikes in the park, Deer Mountain is also one of the best year-round options due to its proximity to the Fall River entrance and the fact that the snow tends to blow off/melt out earlier here than in some of the other popular trailhead areas, such as Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge. It’s roughly 6.2 miles round-trip and gains just over 1,200 feet of elevation.

Choose this hike if you want a family-friendly summit hike with views.

Deer Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park

Ouzel Falls

Ouzel Falls is located in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. This area is often less crowded and lower in elevation than the Bear Lake area. The hike to Ouzel Falls begins at 8,500 ft of elevation and gains 950 ft. The total distance is 5.4 miles. Before arriving at Ouzel Falls, the trail passes Copeland Falls and the Calypso Cascades, which are both beautiful destinations on their own.

Choose this hike if you love lush forests and waterfalls. If you prefer taking your time and savoring several destinations along the way, this might be your new favorite hike.

Gem Lake

This hike begins at the Lumpy Ridge trailhead. We like the boulders and unique rock formations that give us an excuse to catch our breath and take photos along the way. Plus, the views looking back over Estes Park and the mountain range beyond, wow! This is a moderately strenuous hike because of the steep steps that lead up to the lake, but the short distance of 1.8 miles each way made it pretty attainable.

We were feeling good, so we added the Lumpy Ridge Loop, which made this hike a little over 4 miles.

Twin Owls Rock Formations Rocky Mountain National Park — Twin Owls in Lumpy Ridge

Choose this hike if you want a short, rewarding experience, and pair it with a fun reward like ice cream in Estes Park.

Bierstadt Lake

The trail to Bierstadt Lake is 1.4 miles each way, starting at the Bierstadt Lake Trail Head, located in the Bear Lake Area. If you aren’t familiar, getting a park pass and a timed-entry pass is often necessary throughout the park, but it mostly impacts access to trails in this popular area. We were able to make a reservation the evening before (tickets for the following day are released at 7 pm). More information about the entry system is available on Recreation.gov.

The trail up to Bierstadt Lake gains 566 ft. of elevation along several switchbacks. You can add on extra mileage by walking around the lake, which we recommend to get the best views of Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak.

Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park — Bierstadt Lake

Choose this hike if you want it all – views, an alpine lake, and towering pines.

Twin Sisters

After several days acclimating to the elevation and hiking 4-6 mile hikes, we decided Twin Sisters would be a great grand finale hike on my husband’s birthday. Twin Sisters trail head is located six miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7.

Round trip, it is about 7 miles reaching 11,413 ft of elevation on the West Summit, a gain of 2,253 ft. The East Summit is slightly higher, but we decided to shorten the trip this time by going up just one side.

Twin Sisters Rocky Mountain National Park — Twin Sisters

Choose this hike if you feel ready for a challenge and as a warm-up to harder summit hikes like Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak.

Shorter Hikes

Besides the hikes mentioned, we also enjoyed strolls around Lily Lake, Sprague Lake, and the Estes Park Riverwalk in downtown.

Wildlife Spotting

In this post, I want to share a few of the animals we spotted on our latest trip, rather than a full list of all the animals you might see in the park and when/where you might spot them. So, if you have any wildlife tips or questions, please post in the comments.

Moose

On this trip we spotted several moose, including this guy near Sheep Lakes where there is a pull-off and no hiking is required.

Velvet Elk

I think elk are fascinating animals, and you may notice this time of year their antlers look fuzzy. Why? Here are a few fun facts I found on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s website:

Antlers are the fastest bone growth in the world
Immature antlers are covered in skin with a short, dense fur called velvet
Elk antlers grow about an inch per day

Elk Rocky Mountain National Park — Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

Salamanders

Another cool animal species we spotted was the tiger salamander in Lily Lake. My daughters think they look like axolotls. I found an interesting article about the amazing amphibians on the national park’s website.

Final Thoughts

I love that my husband wanted to spend his 40th birthday doing something he loves (hiking) in a beautiful and meaningful place with our family. It’s hard to capture the silliness and joyful energy that my daughters had during our trip, but it felt so healthy and refreshing after a busy spring.

I hope your summer is off to a great start, too. I would love to hear about your favorite hikes! Please share what hike we should try on our next trip in the comments.

Discover Mount Audubon: Trails and Tips

Mount Audubon is a Colorado 13er with unbelievable mountain views and beautiful wildflowers. The trail is roughly 8 miles round trip including the scramble up and exploration of the top. The hike gains 2,680 ft. in elevation.

When to hike Mount Audubon?

Our family recently hiked Mount Audubon for the first time on Monday, July 7th. I’m being specific because this is a popular trail, so we picked Monday to avoid some weekend crowds, and we went in early July after checking trail conditions. The high elevation parking lot isn’t open before July.

We started our hike around 7 am so that we could get to the summit before noon. We enjoyed bright blue skies and clear views. It’s important to start early because much of this hike is above the tree line. Afternoon storms rolled in soon after we finished our descent.

Tips for Hiking Mount Audubon

We purchased a parking reservation on recreation.gov for the Mitchell Lake trailhead which is located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area near Ward, Colorado. Hikers follow the Beaver Creek Trail to the Mount Audubon Trail and then spot cairns leading to the summit. Loose rocks make good hiking boots a must.

Is Mount Audubon Kid or Dog-Friendly?

We took our 10-year-old and 8-year-old daughters on this hike. This was their second 13er this year. Dogs are allowed, but we elected not to bring our Australian Shepard, although we saw several dogs making the journey.

The hardest part for me was hiking back down through rocky terrain. To take pressure off knees and ankles, I highly recommend trekking poles, which I sadly forgot to bring. Despite the challenge (or perhaps because of it), my heart overflowed with gratitude for the time we had together as a family and for the beautiful scenery that I am so lucky to witness. I’m aware that the physical ability to make this hike is a blessing worth treasuring.

yellow Wildflowers blooming along the trail up to Mount Audubon in Colorado.

We typically get the girls trail tags when they complete new hikes. This hike isn’t in Rocky Mountain National Park, so we couldn’t find a badge to add to their collection – bummer! Instead, we celebrated our long hike with a family dinner at Poppy’s Pizza in downtown Estes Park and topped it off with a scoop of ice-cream at Hayley’s.

I’d love to hear if you’ve hiked in this area and what you thought. And do you have fun ways that you celebrate long hikes? Please share in the comments.

Top 12 Women’s Hiking Essentials for Your Rocky Mountain Adventure

I’m working on my packing list for our upcoming summer trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, and I thought it would be fun to create an Amazon ‘moodboard’ of some of my favorite hiking essentials in a capsule-style format.

Packing List for Rocky Mountain Hiking Trips

Blue-green long-sleeve workout top features UPF 50+ protection and quick-drying material. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. Plus, it’s on sale!
Racerback Cotton T-Back Bralette. These are good for low-impact activities. They might not be the best option when you need more support.
Women’s Trail Running Shoes. I have these boots from La Sportiva in a different color, and I love them because they support my feet even when crossing sharp rocks. The trail running shoes are lightweight compared to other boot styles. These were recommended by a local shop in Estes Park called Plum Creek Shoe Station, where you can try on before you buy if you are in the area.
Garmin vívoactive GPS watch. We like the look and functionality of the women’s Garmin vívoactive GPS watch. After a lot of research and debate, we recently purchased these for our daughters (ages 8-10). The adjustable band fits even on their small wrists.
North Face capri wicking jogger pants. I have a similar pair in Asphalt Grey. I like the capri length and I’m considering buying another pair in the Summit Navy color.
Hydration pack. This Camelbak is technically made for mountain biking. It holds 100 oz of water. According to REI, you generally need ‘a half-liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures.’ This pack should get you through 6 hours of hiking, but we always bring an extra bottle just in case.
UPF 50+ Sunprotection hoodie. I’ve seen fellow hikers wearing similar hoodies, and I want to add one to my wardrobe. I’m a fan of the thumb hole design and pockets.
Loose Fit short-sleeved t-shirt. This top is also UPF 50+ and comes in a variety of pretty colors.
Racerback tank tops. These would be good layering pieces, especially on warmer, lower-elevation hikes this summer. I like that they are quick-drying, which is useful for afternoon pop-up storms that are common in the mountains.
Workout sports cap. I feel like buying hats that look and fit right is tough, but this Adidas women’s hat is adjustable and has great reviews.
Lightweight mid-rise hiking shorts. I like that these have a zipper pockets.
Merino wool hiking socks. A good pair of hiking socks can make a huge difference in your day. These are not only cute, but I like that they have good cushion and are breathable for the summer months.

Capsule Wardrobe for Outdoor Activities

Shopping for clothes and gear to wear hiking can be a little complicated because we want a lot out of the outfit. It needs to be functional, comfortable, durable, and hopefully a little stylish. Trust me, I often don’t hit the mark on stylish, but I’m hoping my hiking moodboard will inspire me as I make future purchases.

Should I do a capsule for my husband or kids? Let me know if that would be helpful. I’d love to hear what you are packing for your summer adventures. Share your favorites and tips in the comments!

That’s it for today. I better get back to packing. Thanks for reading!