Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
A high-altitude playground where even the clouds need crampons.
1. Lay of the Land
- Elevation spans 7,600 ft to 14,259 ft on Longs Peak, the park’s solitary “fourteener.”
- The Continental Divide zig-zags for 42 miles through the park, feeding both the Atlantic and Pacific basins.
- 124 named summits, 355 miles of trail, 147 lakes, and the highest continuous paved road in America (Trail Ridge Road, 12,183 ft). (nps.gov)
2. Climate & Snowfall (a.k.a. “Why shorts + flip-flops are a trap”)
| Zone | Summer Highs | Winter Lows | Avg. Snowfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estes Park (7,500 ft) | 78 °F | 17 °F | ≈ 82 in/yr | East gateway town |
| Grand Lake (8,300 ft) | 75 °F | 8 °F | ≈ 129 in/yr | Snowier, less wind |
| Alpine (10,000 + ft) | 50-65 °F | sub-zero | 150-200 in/yr* | Snow possible any month |
*SNOTEL data show ~20 in of snow-water equivalent at Bear Lake, translating to roughly 200 in of powder.
Expect July hailstorms, September snows, and UV rays that roast like a George Foreman grill. (nps.gov, nps.gov, bestplaces.net, bestplaces.net, wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov)
3. Wild Things
- Elk star in a bugling symphony September–October.
- Moose numbers (40-60 on the west side) keep willow thickets trimmed.
- Bighorn sheep pose near Sheep Lakes; black bears, coyotes, marmots, pikas, and 280 bird species round out the cast.
Give them space—elk have the right-of-way and better antlers. (nps.gov, nps.gov)
4. Things to Do
Hiking & Scenic Drives
- Cruise Trail Ridge Road for tundra views and bragging rights.
- Classic walks: Alberta Falls, Nymph–Dream–Emerald Lakes, Mt. Ida saddle, Sky Pond.
- Winter: strap on snowshoes or back-country skis when the road closes (late Oct-May). (cntraveler.com)
Camping
- Reservation-only in summer at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Timber Creek (book up to 6 months ahead).
- Longs Peak CG is tents-only, first-come-first-served July-Sept.
- Moraine Park CG re-opens later this summer after a utility facelift; nightly fees run $30-$35. (nps.gov, nps.gov)
Climbing & Scrambling
- Longs Peak, Keyhole Route (Class 3, 15 mi RT, 5,000 ft gain). Start ~3 a.m.; coffee optional, respect mandatory.
- Lumpy Ridge offers world-class granite with seasonal raptor closures (Feb 15–Jul 31).
Bring a helmet—gravity never takes a day off. (nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov)
5. Getting There (drive times, no warp drive required)
| Origin (one-way) | Miles | Typical Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | ≈ 70 | 1.5-2 h (cntraveler.com) |
| Fort Collins | ≈ 45 | 1-1.5 h |
| Colorado Springs | 143 | ~2 h 50 min (wanderlog.com) |
| Cheyenne, WY | 90 | ~1 h 45 min (rome2rio.com) |
| Fly-ins usually land at Denver International; add 30 min to reach downtown before pointing the rental car uphill. |
6. Fees & Permits (2025)
| Pass | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 (1-day) / $35 (7-day) | Covers everyone in car |
| Motorcycle | $25 / $30 | 1- / 7-day |
| Walk-/Bike-in | $15 / $20 | 1- / 7-day |
| RMNP Annual | $70 | 12 months |
Peak-season entry (late May-mid Oct) also requires a timed-entry reservation—$2 processing on Recreation.gov. Pro tip: book at 8 a.m. MDT the day slots open, or arrive before 9 a.m. like the early-bird pika. (nps.gov, nps.gov)
Quick Take-Away
Rocky Mountain NP stacks vertical drama, four-season adventure, and wildlife cameos into 415 square miles. Whether you’re chasing alpenglow selfies, couloir crampons, or simply that thin-air euphoria, the park delivers—just pack layers, patience, and a respect for altitude that climbs faster than your smartwatch’s elevation counter.
Now quit reading and start plotting your own “Rocky Mountain high”… just remember, the elk always get top billing.
The Sarcastic Swede 
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