Adventure Log

Hiking Up to Mt. Ida
Most visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park spend their time exploring the east side of the range. While there are many lovely hikes and scenic vistas, there are also lots of people. We prefer exploring the west side of the range. There are fewer visitors and many more animals roaming about as a result of less people. Besides, the west entrance is a mere 30 minutes from Winter Park. On our first trip to the west side of the park, we stopped at Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road for information about hiking trails. An elderly, gray haired ranger recommended a trail which was used by the Ute Indians to traverse the range. It ascends to Mt. Ida, whose summit is along the Continental Divide, elevation 12,880 feet. The trail passes through a variety of distinct ecological zones, from lush forest of Douglas Fir, Lodge Pole pine and Blue Spruce. The pine cones of the Blue Spruce are purple! As the trail ascended above the tree line, we spotted lots of small, furry animals (Yellow-Bellied Marmots), sunning themselves on the rocks. Although it was August, there was still snow above the tree line. It was 103 degrees in Denver, but lucky for us, it was a pleasant 70 degrees up here on the top of the world. The trail above the tree line cuts across the tundra. It takes 500 to 1,000 years for the tundra to grow back if damaged. So, we tried hard to stay on the path. I loved the tundra. It was full of tiny, delicate flowers cast in many soft colors. Near the summit, we spotted a herd of mountain goats loping across the tundra some distance away. A few minutes later, a mother goat and her baby came loping right up the path! They stopped for a rest, and to look us over from a few yards away. They had large patches of missing fur all over their bodies; summer shedding I suppose. At the summit, 5.5 miles from the trail head, we enjoyed our lunch, and headed back down. We could see some very dark thunder clouds forming in the distance, and were afraid they might be headed our way. At that elevation, we were the tallest objects on the mountain, making us good targets for any lightening strikes! Besides, we were all looking forward to a nice soak in the hot tub, before putting dinner on the grill. (You can find the trail to the summit of Mount Ida is on the western slope of Rocky Mountain National Park. The remote summit can be most easily reached from a trail leading southeast from Milner Pass. Trailhead elevation is 10,578 feet and there is a net elevation gain of 2,112 feet to the 12,880 summit.) Enjoy!

Hiking Up to Mt. Ida

Most visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park spend their time exploring the east side of the range. While there are many lovely hikes and scenic vistas, there are also lots of people. We prefer exploring the west side of the range. There are fewer visitors and many more animals roaming about as a result of less people. Besides, the west entrance is a mere 30 minutes from Winter Park.

On our first trip to the west side of the park, we stopped at Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road for information about hiking trails. An elderly, gray haired ranger recommended a trail which was used by the Ute Indians to traverse the range. It ascends to Mt. Ida, whose summit is along the Continental Divide, elevation 12,880 feet. The trail passes through a variety of distinct ecological zones, from lush forest of Douglas Fir, Lodge Pole pine and Blue Spruce. The pine cones of the Blue Spruce are purple!

As the trail ascended above the tree line, we spotted lots of small, furry animals (Yellow-Bellied Marmots), sunning themselves on the rocks. Although it was August, there was still snow above the tree line. It was 103 degrees in Denver, but lucky for us, it was a pleasant 70 degrees up here on the top of the world.

The trail above the tree line cuts across the tundra. It takes 500 to 1,000 years for the tundra to grow back if damaged. So, we tried hard to stay on the path. I loved the tundra. It was full of tiny, delicate flowers cast in many soft colors.

Near the summit, we spotted a herd of mountain goats loping across the tundra some distance away. A few minutes later, a mother goat and her baby came loping right up the path! They stopped for a rest, and to look us over from a few yards away. They had large patches of missing fur all over their bodies; summer shedding I suppose.

At the summit, 5.5 miles from the trail head, we enjoyed our lunch, and headed back down. We could see some very dark thunder clouds forming in the distance, and were afraid they might be headed our way. At that elevation, we were the tallest objects on the mountain, making us good targets for any lightening strikes! Besides, we were all looking forward to a nice soak in the hot tub, before putting dinner on the grill.

(You can find the trail to the summit of Mount Ida is on the western slope of Rocky Mountain National Park. The remote summit can be most easily reached from a trail leading southeast from Milner Pass. Trailhead elevation is 10,578 feet and there is a net elevation gain of 2,112 feet to the 12,880 summit.)

Enjoy!