The path paralleling the Never Summer Mountain Range across the valley. This is a 7-mile round trip of treeless alpine terrain. It was a rough few months for the whole state. Colorado has one of the lowest populations of any state in the U.S., but the second highest amount of lighting related fatalities. After catching our breath, the three of us made our way to the summit and found it occupied by only one other person and a handful of marmots. Mount Ida Trail - RMNP is a 4.04 mile one way hike with 2,102 feet accumulated elevation gain. Answer 1 of 5: Heading to RMNP April 12, 2019. Timber Lake - 9.6 Miles Round-Trip Timber Lake (11,085') is located 4.8 miles from Timber Creek Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.It shares a wide, level basin with two adjacent ponds beneath Mt Ida (12,889').. A 32 year old male had a 20 foot tumbling, sliding fall near the summit of Mount Ida. For much of this hike you walk along the Continental Divide, so you have panoramic views across the park. Hike the Ypsilon Lake Trail. You should keep right and follow the signs toward Mt Ida. How is the trail marking? Thanks for all the great info. I highly recommend buying a national parks pass when you get here (if you don’t already have one)… I’ve yet to find a trail in Rocky that I didn’t enjoy. This sign says that it is 4 miles… this is a lie. The hike to Mt. Not much room at the summit! Either Colorado has a lot of moose, or we’ve been exceptionally lucky since moving here. This is a rugged and amazing landscape. The trail tapers at the top before ascending a cluster of boulders that make up the summit. Bear Lake Loop: Short 0.6-mile, family-friendly loop around Bear Lake in the heart of the park. Two rangers reached the patient at 5:25 p.m. Most of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated wilderness, where self-reliance and adventure are expected. I love the expansive skies and wide open landscapes. We took the right turn and continued towards the summit. I'm from South Texas and I have no idea how snow works. If you like uncrowded trail, a 360-degree view, hiking in alpine tundra where the terrain is open and air is thin, practicing some trail finding skills, and a good chance of seeing bighorn sheep, Mount Ida is your hike. On August 13, 2017 we hiked to the top of Mount Ida (12,900 ft). Take the challenge and travel through sub … Several years ago, my wife and I went through Rocky Mountain National Park and got half way between Estes Park and Grand Lake on the Trail Ridge Road and had to turn around because it was the most dramatic pea soup fog I have ever seen – not a road you want to travel without good visibility not only for the scenery but one gets off the shoulder and ……! The hike looks a bit tough for what I could ever do, but with all of that beauty at every turn, I’m sure it’s worth it! Our first hike and mountain that we conquered in Colorado was Mount Ida. Photo: Tobin Akehurst. This hike is rated difficult due to weather conditions and route finding, but is actually a very pleasant hike on the right day. After sleeping at Timber Creek campground to acclimate, M and I woke up at 5 AM and drove to Milner Pass trailhead. Once we had finished playing with the first three marmots we turned and headed up a steep incline. Mount Ida sits at 12,889' on the Continental Divide. Looking to hike either Twin Sisters Peak or Mount Ida. Sounds like you have the makings of your own post! I would say if sweeping views of mountainous terrain is what you are after then give this trail a go. To reach Mount Ida from the Milner Pass area, hike to the south end of Poudre Lake, and take the trail which strikes steeply uphill southeast of the pass and lake. For Mount Ida, stay right and continue through the remainder of the forest and out into the tundra. What better way to spend your birthday than by going on an awesome hike. Is Mount Ida doable in April or is there too much snow to follow the trail? Ida had a summit of 12,880 ft and was part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. At 4.8 miles hikers will finally reach the summit of Mt. ( Log Out /  Ida offers some of the most stunning views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Your handstand looks very brave…and I like the Alpine Sunflower a lot as well:), Third time’s really the charm, that’s for sure! But even with a few days of acclimation, you could probably manage it. Ida Trail in The Rocky Mountain National Park- One of my favorite hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado was the hike to Mount Ida along the Continental Divide. Yes, there were more marmots to be seen over the next mile before their numbers eventually tapered away and gave way to the land of the pika. Length 9.3 miElevation gain 2362 ftRoute type Out & back After about a mile, the trail forks. Mt. Photo: Jon King. Hikers should be prepared to take responsibility for their own actions; search and rescue may be delayed. What a cracking birthday hike ☺️ Over here, it’s sheep and cows instead of moose and marmots (though I did see a few deer on the West Highland Way a couple of summers ago, and marmots for the first time on the Tour du Mont Blanc last summer). Read More Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect place for a scenic hike Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park can be quite challenging, and hiking a trail above your fitness level can make for a less than enjoyable day while out on the trail. I’ve been so bummed about the fires at RMNP. You will usually see a few people along the way but probably not over a dozen or so. 3. There is a sign posted about 15 feet from the parking area indicating the direction and distance to Mount Ida. It is definitely a favorite of mine. Mount Ida Trail was the highlight of our hiking experience in RMNP. We started the 9 mile roundtrip hike at 6 AM with the sunrise. Geologically speaking, these pegmatite spires are dikes, formed when molten sediments and minerals seeped into cracks in the surrounding granite and were pushed upwards. About a mile from the summit, the trail begins to peter out in the rocky landscape. This is a 9.6 mile out-and-back hike with 2100 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 4-6 hours to complete. Be prepared to stay overnight even if you are a day hiker. Follow the trail for about 0.8 miles to a junction. Rocky Mountain National Park is the magnificent and beatific showcase of Rocky Mountain granduer occuping the north-central portion of Colorado's Front Range.It is Colorado's first (and for many years, only) National Park. We love to get out into nature. As I said, our path from the summit wasn’t the path we had arrived on, but both were well-worn and easy to follow. Campground site 113 seems to have a stunning view and your handstand on the top of Mt. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Thanks for reading. This will take you uphill and toward the southwest side of the hills. Because most of the trail is above tree line and completely exposed, it’s very important to start early and turn back at any sign of storms. Located 40 miles northwest of Boulder Colorado. 1/2 mile the Ute Trail will break left and head toward the Alpine Visitor Center. We were still able to kind of follow a vague path, but as long as you stick to the rocks (rather than stepping on the delicate tundra plants) and keep walking toward the summit (which you can see), you’ll get there eventually. This is one of the best if not the best post since I’ve been following your blog. (not quite the full summit) Great views over the open tundra. Definitely one worth adding to the list! Come to Colorado and we’ll take you on a moose tour! I sure hope some snow comes our way soon. For a peak on the Continental Divide and within easy day-hiking distance in very popular Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Ida is not terribly well-known. ( Log Out /  Pegmatite contains many of the same minerals as granite, but the crystals are much larger; this accounts for both the color and the coarseness. On Saturday morning, we saw 9 moose on our drive to the trailhead. That’s fantastic! Rocky Mountain Park straddles the Continental Divide, and offers some of the most scenic hiking in the country. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! At first, they slow their movements to a sloth-like motion as if I can’t see them even though I’m standing mere feet away. Below is a list of hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park based on difficulty rating, and ranked from easiest to hardest hikes. Looks beautiful, all the way from sunset at the lake to the summit. In my opinion the mountain offers some of the best views in the park, and as such, ranks number one on our list of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ida Trail in The Rocky Mountain National Park- One of my favorite hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado was the hike to Mount Ida along the Continental Divide.This hike is rated difficult due to weather conditions and route finding, but is actually a very pleasant hike on the right day. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Elevation gain is about 2200'. The guide will familiarize you with the area and help you on your hike. Because most of the trail is above tree line and completely exposed, it’s very important to start early and turn back at any sign of storms. The tallest peak in the park (14,259ft), Longs Peak's exhilarating and exhausting Keyhole Route is on many visitors' to-do list. Not recommended as the park rangers don’t appreciate this and you may end up with a ticket. Hike Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak. Ida for sunset last night, so for the third time in two weeks, a pair of us happily headed to the summit. At 12,889 feet, the peak ranks as the 25th highest mountain in the park. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. A great option if the lot at Milner Pass is full. From Milner Pass, hike along a trail next to the small lake there. Timber Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park. Gorgeous scenery! And as if that wasn’t already a ridiculous number of moose to see in one day, we saw 14 more on our drive back to the campground that afternoon! ), but CA, OR, and WA got so much of the National press and I kept thinking, “but, Colorado?! This downward slope is appreciated at the moment but less than ideal on the return trip. Lots of breweries to sample out this way as well! What a weird place to see moose! We first hiked the Peak a few years back as an acclimating hike. This has just been a brutal year for fires. Hike Mt. ( Log Out /  We had to park along the edge of the lot and were lucky to find that. They dropped down into the valley with a herd of elk! You must be the moose whisperer because we’ve only seen 3 all this time and you saw 23 in one day. Thank you! 1. It’s easy to do, given the relative lack of trail near the summit. The pika came out and chirped at the intruders (us) invading their homes. I bet you could do it! They didn’t seem to mind our presence but they also didn’t attempt to steal our food, so all of us were able to coexist peacefully. I woke up early to arrive at 6am, hoping to beat both the crowds and the afternoon thunderstorms. We are blessed indeed. Mount Ida Trail Not quite ready for a Colorado Fourteener but still want to tackle some serious elevation gain? I was born to roam. It is a 10 mile round trip hike despite the sign saying it is a 4 mile one way hike. It’s steep as it climbs past some unique rock spires on its way up to tree line. Not to say that marmots are the only thing to be seen on this amazingly beautiful alpine trail, but they are extremely prevalent. From there, it was a straightforward hike back to the trailhead. Definitely not a good trip in the fog… sounds scary! Take … How to Hike Mt Ida Getting to the Trailhead. The official website for RMNP has up-to-date news on trail conditions, so take a look before you head out. 12-mile out-and-back hike; 10. Mt. 9 miles RT and 2500 ft elevation gain. If you want to do a glorious summit hike that offers some of the most incredible views in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Ida is the one for you. But thanks to the never-ending winter of 2019, there was still 3-4 feet (1-1.3 m) of snow obscuring the trail a week prior to our planned hike, so we cancelled our plans. We stayed on the peak entertaining ourselves with the views and yes even a few marmots. It is much easier than any 14er I’ve ever climbed and the views from the summit rival them all. great photos, am glad to see them, would like more of my daughter though . This will take you uphill and toward the southwest side of the hills. Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas: Mount Ida: The summit of Mount Ida is along the Continental Divide on the western slope of Rocky Mountain National Park. This photo of the Ida Ridge is typical of Rocky's incredible alpine tundra - gently rolling slopes that abruptly end in dramatic east-facing cliffs and cirques. Our first hike and mountain that we conquered in Colorado was Mount Ida. There are half a dozen or more small alpine lakes surrounding the steep cliff walls on three sides. Wow, that’s quite a “small world” story, running into Chelsea like that! Hiking the Continental Divide to Mt. Mount Ida. I’ve seen a little section of the burn scar from a distance but not up close. That is insane! Hiking poles may be helpful on uneven trails. The trail offers a number of activity options. A friend wanted to hike up Mt. We had over 600,000 acres burn this summer; not just in Rocky, but in a bunch of amazing places. 2. And so many moose! The Mount Ida Trail departs from Trail Ridge Road along the Continental Divide. Give it plenty of room, don’t get between a cow and its calf and hope for the best For the most part, they’re pretty laid back. a former gymnast with a neverending case of wanderlust. We once again continued down the well-worn path as it descended slightly. Why don’t people think and pay attention to their actions. I think. But then it cleared up and by the end of the evening, the sky put on quite the amazing show! Mount Ida is admittedly not as popular as some of the other mountain peaks in this park. Multiple people and a handful of internet lists designate Mount Ida as the best hike in Rocky. The sad thing is these fires were human caused, so that’s always much more upsetting to me. Finally, on the last weekend in June 2020 – which also happened to be my birthday – we made it! If you want to see arguably the most incredible views in the entire park, then this is the hike for you. It was very unexpected. (not quite the full summit) Great views over the open tundra. 4. Note the developing thunderstorm in the background - a common afternoon occurance. The Guide to the Timber Lake Trail includes a trail description, photographs of the trails, comments from our hikes, mileage data, custom Mount Ida & Timber Lake topo map, and route GPS tracklogs. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. Many consider it one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and I can’t disagree. Happy belated birthday!!! A great option if the lot at Milner Pass is full. Hiking Mount Ida could start from the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of trail ridge road adding about 3.5 miles one-way to the trip. Colorado Day Hikes: Strawberry Lake – Handstands Around the World, Follow Handstands Around the World on WordPress.com, Colorado Destinations: Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Getting there: the Mount Ida trail departs from Milner Pass/Poudre Lake just west of the summit of Trail Ridge Road, Fees and passes: there is a $25/car daily or $35/car weekly entrance fee to RMNP; interagency annual passes are accepted, Hiking: 9.8 miles (15.8 km) round-trip with 2522 feet (769 m) of elevation gain; strenuous due to the elevation, Where to stay: there are 5 campgrounds in the park and dozens of lodging options just outside in Grand Lake and Estes Park; while backpacking (permit required) is also an option for many parts of the park, there are no backcountry sites on this trail, Other: as mentioned above, the majority of this hike is through the tundra with absolutely no shelter from the elements, so pay very close attention to the weather and be prepared to turn around if storms approach. Yeah, the west coast definitely had it worse for a while there. Leaving the ptarmigans behind we finished our accent with one last push up the final incline. Impressed with your handstand. You will pass Alpine Visitor Center and the road sharply turns south at Medicine Bow Curve. Located 40 miles northwest of Boulder Colorado. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. I’m not sure what I’d do if I came around the corner and there was a cow in the trail . However, the cairns are hard to distinguish between all the other rocks in the field. The trailhead for this 9.6-mile round-trip trek is located at Poudre Lake at Milner Pass. Chief Cheley Peak and Mount Ida [CLOSED] is a 10.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Such an incredible landscape, it’s just heartbreaking to know how long it will take before it looks the way it did when you visited. Mount Ida. We wanted to climb it our first summer in Denver, but forest fire smoke severely limited visibility for much of the summer and we weren’t about to walk along the Continental Divide and not be able to see anything. It’s so frustrating. Thanks! While it has less hype than others inside Rocky Mountain National Park, it is no secret. Either that or we’re having some beginners luck. And yet here we both were, so it turned out we got to hike together after all! I have seen kids under 10 years old on the summit. Is it clear? Mount Ida Trail was the highlight of our hiking experience in RMNP. You will usually see a few people along the way but probably not over a dozen or so. Given that the route towards the summit becomes a little vague I decided to go with the more internet reliable 4.5  miles, but I would say over the distance most hikers will exceed 9 miles total. Below is a list of hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park based on difficulty rating, and ranked from easiest to hardest hikes. I have seen kids under 10 years old on the summit. We started the 9 mile roundtrip hike at 6 AM with the sunrise. If you're planning an adventure to Rocky soon, check out our favorite hikes in the park and see how many you can knock off your list before your trip ends. July and August are th I love the tiny tundra plants and flowers. Emerging from the trees we were rewarded with our first three marmot sightings and exceptional views of the Never Summer Mountain Range. Colorado summer afternoon thunderstorms are no joke, and there’s absolutely nowhere safe to hide if one rolls in and you’re in the middle of the tundra. - Henry Miller. . 2020 has been strange in many ways…. I clocked the distance to the top and got 4.7 miles (one-way). About half a mile in the trail intersects the one coming from the Alpine Visitor Center. After the trail leaves the safety of the wooded area it is another 3.5 miles of exposed terrain to the summit of Mount Ida. The southernmost entrance to RMNP is just outside of Allenspark, Colorado. Answer 11 of 11: Hi, I was wondering if anyone has climbed Mt. Love the colours in that shot of the sky at dusk, too! You should keep right and follow the signs toward Mt Ida. The trail throughout the woods is well maintained and easy to navigate. But we could see where the actual established trail was off in the distance, so we just picked our way through the rocks until we caught up to it again. There are only a few national parks that seem to sum up the American West in all its wildness, and this is definitely one of them. Anyway, your photos are fantastic and you definitely lucked out with your campsite! Chief Cheley Peak and Mount Ida [CLOSED] is a 10.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Learn how your comment data is processed. You must be heartbroken the fires ravaged this stunning area. Wild Basin Trailhead. At the top of which we found a huge rock formation with even better views of the Never Summer Range and a family of five marmots. How long? Hiking info for Mount Ida, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Thanks for sharing your birthday party! The trailhead is located 4 miles past the Alpine Visitor's Center at … Watch … You two are so blessed to be able to do all the hiking. I have worked hard to live a life of travel in the fleeting moments between work. Thousands of trails in this state, and there we both were! The Adventure Guide to the Mount Ida Trail and North Ridge Route of Mount Ida includes a trail description, photographs of the trails, comments from our hikes, mileage data, custom Mount Ida topo map, and route GPS tracklogs. I have never seen so much animal excrement clustered in one location. The trailhead is located 4 miles past the Alpine Visitor's Center at the Lake Poudre Trailhead. The Mount Ida Trail, in Rocky Mountain National Park, takes you along the Continental Divide, allowing you to be witness of the tundra blooms, breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. Hiking the Mount Ida Trail, an outdoor enthusiast gets to experience the beauty of the expansive views and alpine tundra. Rocky Mountain National Park: Mount Ida and Gorge Lakes (Version 2) Follow a well-established trail to Mount Ida before ducking into the rugged backcountry surrounding the Gorge Lakes on this 10.7-miler through Rocky Mountain National Park. You will spend almost 8 miles above the treeline so Sometimes the world really is very small. Ida. Oh very upsetting. Ida is one of the best hikes in the RMNP. I can’t believe how many moose you saw on the drive to and from the trailhead. We, like most hikers, decided to start our hike at Milner Pass. The Hike up to Mt Ida. Forget the 14er crowds. Length 10.7 miElevation gain 3175 ftRoute type Out & back Others arrived immediately after us and they had to park along the side of Trail Ridge Road. Hiking Mount Ida could start from the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of trail ridge road adding about 3.5 miles one-way to the trip. Mt Ida (12,889') is located 4.8 miles from Poudre Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. And thanks . Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Date Hiked: 27Jul13. One of which was very curious and came within inches of me and several other hikers. Hiking poles may be helpful on uneven trails. But anyway, Mount Ida. It is amazingly beautiful and well-traveled. There are only a few national parks that seem to sum up the American West in all its wildness, and this is definitely one of them. The weather forecast was for a mostly sunny day with minimal chance of storms but we started early nonetheless, stepping onto the trail just after 6:30am. North Ridge, Mount Ida - Rocky Mountain National Park. We followed one well-worn path up and a different well-worn path down. Ida is one of the best hikes in the RMNP. Beautiful photos ..the handstands always make my stomach flip . Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I have an “It’s a Small World After All” post about coincidental meetups around the world. Mount Ida, one of the least-visited peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, falls just shy of 13,000 feet and offers a real chance to experience backcountry seclusion. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National … At some point on the hike back, we got completely off trail. As Pat and I rock hopped our way up a particularly steep section, we ran into Chelsea who – coincidentally – had texted me a couple days earlier asking if I was free to hike that weekend. Then a massive thunderstorm rolled in and spent the next hour threatening to blow our tent away while we hid in the car. Early in the journey, you'll be rewarded with intermittent views of the Never Summer Mountains to the west. Note the developing thunderstorm in the background - a common afternoon occurance. However, be prepared for the altitude… this shouldn’t be your first hike in the park if you aren’t acclimated to the altitude! Mt Ida is a great hike! This section of the hike is very nice. Ida RMNP in Late June. The Loch – Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail begins on the Continental Divide at Milner Pass, which is approximately equidistant from Estes Park at the east end of Trail Ridge Road and Grand Lake at the west end. In this area, the marmot population seemed to diminish, but there were still a few sightings. Ida (elevation 12,865 feet) at the end of June. Wildlife: Elk, Marmots and Ptarmigan. I loved this one! Mount Ida Trail - RMNP is a 4.04 mile one way hike with 2,102 feet accumulated elevation gain. Your email address will not be published. In fact, it’s sometimes not even included on maps. Ida offers some of the most stunning views of Rocky Mountain National Park.How to get there:From the east, take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the west side of the park. Hiking Mount Ida is an amazing 4.5-mile out-and-back trail. I can’t stress enough how dangerous this is should a thunderstorm roll in. Well-marked and maintained, Mount Ida isn’t quite as popular as other peaks in the park (oddly, it doesn’t always appear on maps), which is a huge plus. That’s awful about the fire, but I guess they have to happen for the forest to stay healthy. Much of the terrain between our campsite and this trailhead was in the path of the flames, and in one location the fire jumped the mountaintops and burned down two drainages on the other side of the park. How to get there: From the east, take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the west side of the park. I’ve run across these peculiar birds a few times in the past and they crack me up every time. Is there any hope of it being relatively snow-free by then? Most of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated wilderness, where self-reliance and adventure are expected. We still haven’t been, but it’s high on our list. Once they figure out they have been spotted they begin to chirp at me. Hikers will have sweeping 360-degree views, which include the Never Summer Mountains towards the west, the Mummy Range towards the northeast, Terra Tomah Mountain, Mt. 9 miles RT and 2500 ft elevation gain. From Milner Pass, you’ll climb steeply but … Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Colorado actually completely shut down a bunch of national forest land for 3 weeks recently because fire danger was so high and people have proven that they can’t be responsible. You’ll need to start this hike early in the morning. The trailhead is located on Highway 34, 4.5 miles southwest of the Alpine Visitor Center. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. I understand that it's a less popular trail, but will you be completely alone or do you see anyone on the trail in August? It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt Ida. Hike to Chasm Lake. On the ever-burgeoning list …. Be prepared to stay overnight even if you are a day hiker. Other highlights when hiking Mount Ida include some of the best 360-degree views in Rocky Mountain National. I’ve only ever seen two moose in my life! A birdseye view of several unnamed alpine lakes as well as epic views of the Never Summer Mountain Range. Wildlife: Elk, Marmots and Ptarmigan. The first mile (1.6 km) of this trail was the hardest part for me. Mount Ida Trail [CLOSED] is a 9.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Grand Lake, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. July and August are th "One's destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things." With 360-degree views of the Mummy Range and dozens of RNMPs other giants, the relatively unfrequented, 12,880-foot Mount Ida offers one of the best viewpoints and most easily accessible high peaks in all of RMNP. The trail begins on the southern edge of Poudre Lake. Yeah, I keep trying to remind myself that the ecosystem will recover. Eventually, the path climbs once again sharply and then begins a slight descent as it follows the Continental Divide’s ebb and flow. On August 13, 2017 we hiked to the top of Mount Ida (12,900 ft). Many of the best hiking trails are situated within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). You were rewarded with some incredible views of the Rocky Mountain National Park’s diverse geography, all with a handstand in the end. The Hike up to Mt Ida. The views are second to none, and it was definitely a beautiful place to celebrate my birthday! And the view! We saw two moose coming over the ridge at what looked like a trail intersection. The trail from the parking area at Milner Pass climbs quickly through an evergreen forest for the first mile. Gem Lake via Lumpy Ridge: This 3.3-mile hike packs a punch, but it offers incredible views of the Front Range. This hiking route is about 4.5 miles in length, and most of it is along a good trail. The lake is a favorite for fishermen and is located adjacent to Trail Ridge Road. This photo of the Ida Ridge is typical of Rocky's incredible alpine tundra - gently rolling slopes that abruptly end in dramatic east-facing cliffs and cirques. The official website for RMNP has up-to-date news on trail conditions, so take a look before you head out. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Mount Ida, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. We then returned back the way we had come… or close as we could. Is well maintained and easy to do, given the relative lack of trail Ridge Road along Continental... First mile ( 1.6 km ) of this transit, however, the entire Park,.... Foot tumbling, sliding fall near the summit Lake is a 7-mile round trip of treeless Alpine.. On Highway 34, 4.5 miles southwest of the world southwest of the lowest populations of any state in RMNP. Them all and got 4.7 miles ( 4.8 km ) of this transit, however, the at... 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