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| ADVENTURES - WINTER | ||
Estes Park - Rocky Mountain National Park - Snowshoeing Bear Lake |
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 Our first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park just happened to be smack in the middle of January. High altitude. Chilly. Windy. But very sunny, and literally breathtaking. We started our adventure by warming up a bit with a walk around scenic Lake Estes in downtown Estes Park. The paved walkway made it as easy a hike as you can get, and for our midwestern lungs, it was a good way to start off. Lake Estes was covered with a thin sheet of ice that day, which cracked and shifted as we walked. Eerie. Once we got our initial dose of sunshine, we got in our truck and headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park, snowshoes in tow. The views on the way to the trail alone are worth the trip, not to mention all the wildlife you'll see. We had to stop several times to let the mule deer pass, and of course take a few photos. If you drive to the end of Bear Lake Road, the parking lot is only a few feet from the trail. Strap on your snowshoes on and hit the snow. (Bear Lake Road can be closed at time due to inclimate weather, so call the park ahead of time to make sure the road is open: 970-586-1206) This trail is generally considered "easy" for the most part, but when you add snow, snowshoes, wind, and 9,475 feet in elevation, it's a little bit more of a challenge for newcomers. This trail is not entirely flat. Give yourself time if you're new, and don't forget to take in the stunning views. As you hike, you will meander through pine trees and past massive boulders, until finally you're rewarded with trekking across the frozen Bear Lake itself, with Hallett's Peak prominently on the horizon. 
Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter means short days and strong winds. Make sure you go early enough to stay in the sunlight, wear proper layers to stay warm, and keep your digits and face protected from frostbite.ALSO, bring energy food and especially plenty of water! Several snowshoers we passed asked us if we had enough water. I think they were on to something... Here's the phone number for Rocky Mountain National Park's road conditions: 970-586-1206 daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time). Directions to park: By Plane Use Denver International Airport (DIA) By Train Use passenger station in Granby (GRA). No public transportation between train and park. By Car From Denver and the east, take U.S. routes 34 or 36 through Estes Park, Colorado. From west or south, take I-70 to U.S. Rt. 40., then to U.S. Rt.34 through Grand Lake, Colorado. Or visit their website directly at: www.nps.gov/romo If you like snowshoeing in Colorado, you might also like West Fork Ski Track in the southern half of the state, near Wolf Creek Ski Area.  |
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