RMNP Trail Conditions Report as of January 22, 2021Any Time of Year: Choose Your Destination Wisely. Always tell someone where you’re 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.
WINTER REMINDERS Some areas that are easy adventures in the summer can become more arduous and dangerous with winter conditions. Most trails are snow packed. Traction devices are always useful this time of the year as they make walking enjoyable and safer.
Route-finding is important, as RMNP trails are not marked in winter and following other tracks is not advised, as you don’t know where they lead and the wind and snow obliterate tracks.
Approximately 30,000 acres or 9 percent of RMNP has been impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires. Many park trails remain temporarily closed due to the level of fire impacts and ongoing safety assessments. Please see the interactive map
Current Fire Information & Regulations - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) This map will be updated as trails reopen.
RMNP Roads are often icy and snowy, especially in shady areas. Be prepared with 4WD/AWD/snow tires and know how to drive in wintery conditions.
1/22/2021 Chasm Falls on Old Fall River Road
Parked at the West Alluvial Fan and walked down the paved road--a couple very icy spots but mostly clear. Up Old Fall River Road with bits of snow and bare ground. Trail from road down to Chasm Falls was quite icy. Traction there might be helpful. 1/2 mile beyond Chasm Falls the road was a mixture of a little snow and bare ground.
By a Volunteer
1/22/2021 Upper Beaver Meadows Area
Parked along Hwy 36 and walked into Upper Beaver Meadows via the trail that goes off straight/to the left just after the gate. Walked along the woods and then over to the end of Upper Beaver Meadows Road. A few drifts along the way and some icy spots on the trail, but traction not needed. Walked back on Upper Beaver Meadows gravel road past the picnic area and next to the burned area. The road was mostly dry with a few snowy spots that were easily negotiated.
By a Volunteer
1/21/2021 Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road ½ mile beyond Rainbow CurveTrail Ridge Road ½ mile beyond Rainbow Curve. Parts of the road were snow packed, some parts icy, and parts had bare pavement where the wind has blown it clear. Traction devices were not necessary. Snowshoes would have stabilized my feet and ankles there wasn't enough to justify bringing them.
By a Volunteer
1/12/2021 Twin Sisters Peaks
Trail easy to follow all the way up. Tracked down. Traction devices sufficient.
By a Volunteer
1/10/2021 Bear Lake to Emerald Lake Overlook on Flattop Mountain
The trail is hard-packed, so easily done with spikes up to the Flattop trail junction. We used spikes the whole way up past Emerald Lake overlook, although in several spots the trail strayed from the summer trail and crossed krummholtz, which had some deep post-hole areas. There are several places where multiple trails exist, so be careful about following tracks. Several folks were trying to ski up, but the snow depth is still pretty shallow, so rocks/sticks were a bit challenging.
By a Volunteer
1/7/2021 Gem Lake
Trail is pretty clear for first mile and then gets icier and more snowpacked before Paul Bunyun's boot and up to the latrine. I used spikes on the way down just in that area. Gem Lake is pretty tiny this time of year.
By a Volunteer
1/6/2021 Deer Mountain Trail
Not much snow at the trailhead or for the first 3/4 mile. This part of the trail is through a south-facing grassy hillside and open forest. Beyond that point, the trail is snow-covered and packed. In the last mile of the trail, across the top of the mountain, there were many drifted areas of soft snow. We used traction devices on all of the trail except the first 3/4 mile.
By a Volunteer
