Best “been there, done that”
ever! I did a solo hike of about 5.5 miles up the continental divide
to the peak of Mt. Ida, which at 12,880 feet is one of the tallest
peaks on the west side of the park, and perhaps the only one that is
reasonably climbable. Unbelievable panoramic views from the summit.
I was up at 3:30am, got over to the trail head at 5:30am, and was
hiking before dawn. The idea is that you have time to get back below
tree line, or better yet back to your car, before the typical
afternoon thunderstorms roll in. Lightening being the biggest danger
to visitors at Rocky Mountain. On my drive along Trail Ridge Road
this morning, I saw just one other vehicle. There were two parked
cars at Milner Pass when I arrived, but I was the only one on the
(unimproved) trail to Ida. I saw no one until I started back down,
and I even rested at the peak for close to an hour. Passed a number
of people heading up on my way down, which surprised me considering
the heavy, dark bottomed clouds that were building and heading
straight for Ida. All six of the rangers I consulted said that it's
time to get off the tundra when you see clouds building, and from Ida
it's 3-4 miles before you're at tree line. No one can guarantee
whether lightening will be present. But I think all is well, I never
did hear thunder, there was just rain.
Saw more wildlife today, many marmots, pika, least chipmunks, and some ptarmigan on the hike up to Ida, and while driving Trail Ridge back home, I saw elk and big horn sheep. Plus more pika, marmots, and chipmunks. The hike to Ida is quite steep for the first 1.5 miles, then intermittently steep, level, and some up and downs for the next 3-4 miles (actual length depends on who you ask. Maps say 4.5, a ranger who's worked on the west side for decades and does the hike often said its closer to 5.5). Towards the end there are numerous unstable boulder fields to cross, and the unmaintained trail peters out. There are some cairns to hunt for, but they are a little sporadic. In the end, I made it to the peak, and was rewarded by the spectacular panoramic views: the gorge lakes, Grand Lake, the Never Summer range, and views of the far distance Trail Ridge Road. The hike back down is a little more challenging for finding and keeping the “trail.” You can see it in the far distance, but lose it frequently in the boulders. I can easily see why everyone wanted to warn me about finding landmarks. Apparently a number of hikers have been lost and come down completely the wrong way, ending up many miles from the vehicle.
I came home this afternoon to a box of goodies left by the family I met from Switzerland. Bummer to have missed them again. They left me a can of bear spray yesterday in case I make it to Lake Jenny on my drive home next week. Today's treats were various food and camp items that they can't fly home, and all will be well used. Thank you!
I'm tired now, but what a great day, all around.
Now to show the day in panoramic shots from my phone.
Saw more wildlife today, many marmots, pika, least chipmunks, and some ptarmigan on the hike up to Ida, and while driving Trail Ridge back home, I saw elk and big horn sheep. Plus more pika, marmots, and chipmunks. The hike to Ida is quite steep for the first 1.5 miles, then intermittently steep, level, and some up and downs for the next 3-4 miles (actual length depends on who you ask. Maps say 4.5, a ranger who's worked on the west side for decades and does the hike often said its closer to 5.5). Towards the end there are numerous unstable boulder fields to cross, and the unmaintained trail peters out. There are some cairns to hunt for, but they are a little sporadic. In the end, I made it to the peak, and was rewarded by the spectacular panoramic views: the gorge lakes, Grand Lake, the Never Summer range, and views of the far distance Trail Ridge Road. The hike back down is a little more challenging for finding and keeping the “trail.” You can see it in the far distance, but lose it frequently in the boulders. I can easily see why everyone wanted to warn me about finding landmarks. Apparently a number of hikers have been lost and come down completely the wrong way, ending up many miles from the vehicle.
I came home this afternoon to a box of goodies left by the family I met from Switzerland. Bummer to have missed them again. They left me a can of bear spray yesterday in case I make it to Lake Jenny on my drive home next week. Today's treats were various food and camp items that they can't fly home, and all will be well used. Thank you!
I'm tired now, but what a great day, all around.
Poudre Lake |
Already well up in the trees by first light on the Never Summers |
The little uplift on the big hump on the right is Ida's peak |
The trail |
Ptarmigan |
Trail to Ida, which is the center of the frame |
The false peak you have to get up before Ida rises higher |
Looking down from the false peak, these are some lakes that aren't labeled on the park map, but drain into the Big Thompson River through Forest Canyon |
Tundra and the Never Summers |
Sort of almost there... |
Gratuitous self shot on the peak |
View of the Gorge Lakes |
View toward Grand Lake, with Timber Lake in foreground |
Gorge Lakes again |
This marmot had no fear, he seemed to want my pack, which I had put down for a rest. Made it hard to take photos, I had to watch for him and chase him off. |
Grand Lake again, but with a marmot |
View from the boulder field. |
Cairns along the trail |
Can you see the trail? |
Another view into Forest Canyon |
Stormy clouds moving in over the Never Summers |
View on the trail back out |
The Never Summer Range. Love these. |
Trail again |
And again with the trail. You can see it stretch on across the divide in the distance. Lots of tundra. |
Kissing marmots |
Back in the krummholz |
Just getting into treeline |
Rain seems imminent towards the end of the trail |
Figured I'd bookend the hike photos with Poudre Lake |
Had to drive down to Grand Lake to get cell signal to check out with my hike watcher. Stopped for the view of Kawuneeche Valley on the way back home. |
Here is Mt. Ida from Trail Ridge Road, tall one on the right. |
And the bighorn along Trail Ridge. |
First light over the Never Summer Range |
180 degree view from the summit of Mt Ida, facing East |
180 degree view from the summit of Mt Ida, facing West |
View from the false summit, facing West |
Mt. Ida from Trail Ridge Road |
View from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road |