Rocky Mountain NP Residency Day 9

August 18, 2014 Jessica L. Bryant

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.

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.