We recommend using Alltrails.com for the latest updates on trail conditions. https://www.alltrails.com/ RMNP intermittently updates their site while Alltrails is updated almost daily.
Trail Conditions
RMNP Trail Conditions Report as of November 6, 2024
| Destination | Date | Description of Conditions Found | Hiked By |
| West Side Trails | 11/6/2024 | Up Highway 34 on the west side the trails have about 2 inches of packed snow. Mostly the trails are a mix of ice and mud.East Inlet and North Inlet Trails are mostly muddy. When it’s muddy, walk through the mud rather than around it to protect and preserve trails from erosion and other damage. | Ranger |
| Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, The Loch, Lake of Glass, Sky Pond, Alberta Falls | 11/5/2024 | "Winter" is now here, with snow everywhere. Starting at trailheads and roads, routes are frequently icy/snowy/slippery. It is highly recommended that all visitors have traction devices whenever they are out. Early season snow covers unfrozen (or thinly-frozen) lakes and streams, and it would be easy to break through to unseen water. It is highly recommended to be very cautious around the edges of lakes and streams and not try to walk out on lakes. Timberline Falls on the Sky Pond hike is now covered with snow (and likely ice as well very soon) and will be even more challenging and risky. Traction devices were not used except on the Timberline Falls scramble. As the number of hikers increases, trails get more and more packed and icy. Traction devices will be increasingly important as icy conditions under hard-packed/slippery snow develop. While it is not yet avalanche season, it will come soon as the snowpack builds up. Most visitors would be wise to leave Sky Pond for summer months. Another example is the hike from Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, and possibly from Lake Haiyaha to the Loch/Mills Junction, as the traverse from Dream to Haiyaha will soon have slippery and avalanche-prone sections traversing the steep cliff area about 1/3 mile from the Dream intersection, and the traverse from Haiyaha to Loch/Mills will be difficult to follow for visitors who are not familiar with the route. While flotation devices were not needed today, that will change soon as we get additional snow. |
Park Volunteer |
| Alberta Falls | 10/30/2024 | 2 inches of new snow. Trail was slippery. Hiking polies and traction devices advised. | Visitors |
| Flattop Mountain | 10/25/2024 | Winds were significant. Above the tree line winds were estimated to be 10-15 miles per hour with gusts to 20 mph. Winds caused snow to drift into the hollows of the trail, especially in the switchbacks halfway between the tree line and the summit. These areas of packed snow/ice were easily navigated without traction devices. Of most importance was the use of proper clothing making good use of layering. Winds at the summit were estimated to be steady at 20 miles per hour with some gusts slightly higher resulting in significant windchill effects. This was typical for Flattop this time of year. | Park Volunteer |
| Lake Haiyaha | 10/25/2024 | The rails on the bridge before Lake Haiyaha (20-25 feet) are gone. | Park Volunteer |
| Timberline Falls | 10/21/2021 | It’s freezing up there overnight, so expect icy conditions forming on the waterfall. Traction devices advised. | Ranger |
| Bierstadt Lake Trail | 10/7/2024 |
Beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024, the Bierstadt Lake parking area, located on Bear Lake Road on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, will be closed for a vault toilet replacement project. Weather and conditions permitting, this parking area, including a shuttle stop, will be closed for approximately six weeks. Due to the equipment necessary to complete this project, the size of the parking area and entrance and exit areas, the Bierstadt Lake parking area will be closed for the duration of the project. There will be no vehicle access and shuttle service will not be available at this stop. Vehicles will not be permitted to stop in the lane of traffic on Bear Lake Road to load/unload passengers.There are numerous trails that lead to Bierstadt Lake, including from Bear Lake, Hollowell Park and Park and Ride. To board the park’s free shuttles and to access other destinations along Bear Lake Road, hikers will have to use alternate trailheads. |
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.
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.
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 November 6, 2024
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
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Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 10 inches snow |
Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 5 inches snow |
Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ no report |
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Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 7 inches snow |
Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 21 inches snow |
Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 8 inches snow |
|
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 9 inches snow |
Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ no snow |
Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 10 inches snow |
Submit Your Own Trip Report
Send us an email, call (970) 586-1206, 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.