Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Some one here has to have done it. I plan on taking a hike there in late May. Searching on line I cannot get a feel of what the hiking trails are like. I was in the park last May but driving only so I have some idea of what is going on terrain wise.

This will be a day long hike, no overnights.

Of course carring camera gear is part of the trip. I have been thinking and planning along that line and pretty much narrowed down how much gear to carry. Fully loaded my back pack weighs 28 pounds. That is not going to happen, to much "stuff". Got it down to camera and two lenses and a monopod along with binoculars, water. Maybe the Canon 250mm kit lens, it is small and weighs nearly nothing.

What are your experiences? Trails to hike before the snow is clear above 8000 feet? Any other gear ideas?

Ken

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

Have been to the park many times, but never hiked. From what I could see, the trails are good. I know the trail to the top of Pikes Peak is good, so I would guess other parks in Colorado are the same.

Keep in mind that hiking at 12,000 ft. is much different than at sea level. If it were me, I would keep my weight to a very minimum.

Make sure you have plenty of water, it is essential at higher altitudes. Late May could still be cold in the morning and evening, and there is always a possibility of rain or even snow in late May when you get up high, so you have to include clothing to layer when you pack.

I would also suggest you consider staying somewhere like Ft. Collins, Denver, or Estes Park for a couple of days to get altitude acclimated before you go to the high country.

Bill

Spider223

Definitely WATER. I've visited Salida, CO (7000ft) a few times, and for me anyway, with lots of fluid intake, it still took a couple days to not wake up with the beginning of an altitude headache. I was motorcycling, not hiking by the way. 10,000 ft Monarch Pass left my wife and I both dizzy, and that was just getting off the motorcycle and walking to the store across the parking lot. We're from Michigan (800ft elevation). I would guess in May, you will have snow..

billmck Loc: Central KY

I've backpacked above 7,000 feet in the Rockies several times, but not in RMNP. I suspect the trails will be good, but it takes a week or so to fully acclimate to the altitude, and hiking before you're acclimated can be tough, depending on your physical conditioning.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Rocky Mountain National Park is big and beautiful. Invest in good boots.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I live in Colorado. so here is a little advise. Water. Sunscreen, seriously, sunscreen. Trail mix or some kind of fuel for your body. Good broken in boots. A hat. Sunglasses. Some people like to use a walking stick or a staff. Dress in layers. It will be cold in the morning. You will need to peel off a layer as it warms up. Rocky Mountain Park is a very cool place. It is also a very fragile place. Please leave it in the same shape as when you got there, if not better. If you see trash please pick it up. Do not pick any flowers. Take your time. Do not force yourself. If you feel any dizziness, sit down. Breath. Sip water. Your body is not use to the thin air. It will be on overload, when you are just sitting. Remember that. Ultra violet rays are filtered by the atmosphere. There is not a lot of that at 12,000 feet. So once again sunscreen, or you will fry. But most important, have fun. It is a great place and I hope you get a picture of a lifetime there. The Wheel, on main street, in Estes Park, has outstanding Bloody Mary's. The Stanley Hotel is where the Movie the Shinning was filmed. There are Elk everywhere. If you see cars pulled over stop and check it out. It will most likely to be some kind of wildlife. I have seen elk in the town on many occasions. The tourist's, make for great street photography as well. Oh one last word of advice. Do not try any of our local goodies, found in the legal pot shops at 12,00 feet. You will short circuit. Trust me on that one.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Take plenty of water.
Take lots of chocolate.
Take cheese....fast carb and protein
Take YOUR TIME.
Watch out for cold.

Our mountains in the UK are small in comparison. I have climbed a lot of them. Having visited Switzerland just getting off the train at altitude was a shock. Slight blurring of eyes and a little instability. Climbing rough terrain took a lot of thought and care. Choosing to walk down 'to get photographs' might have been a mistake...it took more than twice my time estimate...thankfully cell reception is wonderful there. (didn't worry the wife)
Driving up high is not the same as walking up ...your body cannot adjust quickly so be aware and don't start spinning around and rushing straight away.

Have fun

SonyBug

Ahhh, but nobody told you about ticks. Take insect repellent. My orthopedic surgeon hiked in RMNP last year and got tick bit and did not think anything about it. But, ticks there carry several diseases including Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. He got one of the other ones and did not get diagnosed quickly as the symptoms were different and those ticks are indigenous only to Colo, Wy, Mont. He almost died before the diagnosis and treatment. Glad he made it thought because he is going to "do" my knee when I get back from the Panama Canal cruise.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

I lived in Fort Collins for 13 yEARS. TYEDETOMMY'S advice is great. I lived at 5400 feet and still would have some difficulty at 8000 ft and above for the first few months. After the first year my system (blood) was okay. Storms can be frequent and severe, and suddenly. Watch the weather. Lots of nice hikes to do around Bear Lake and the Wild Basin Area. I did my fly fishing there.
Emerald Lake. Sprague lake and Lily Lake. The latter a nice loop walk. Great for photography. I liked the Big Meadows area for the fishing, elk, and not much people.
Just remember to drink, drink drink. Don't over do the out loop otherwise the return will tire you out. I used to snow shoe the area as well and that can really tire you out. Good luck and fun.

davidl743

I go there every year, it is one of the most beautiful places in the state (and the state is full of them) to hike! Now as to the conditions of the trails in late May... many of the trails, especially those in glacier basin will still have a bit of snow and/or ice on them, so ice cleats or grips (the easy on and off type) are a must if you plan on hiking up into the mountain valleys or around any of the many waterfalls there. Do you know the trails you will be hiking on? Perhaps I can give you a better idea of what they will be like. I'm heading back up there myself this July. Just love the trails there, lots of subject matter for photos.

David

camera77buff

I live in Colorado (all my life except for 4 college years) and have hided hundreds of miles in RMNP. Lighter is best but it depends on the weather and the quality of your outdoor gear. Water is a must, but in May you will have dozens of sources of water if you have the treatment. May is a mixed bag. I've seen years where the trails were open from the snow. Others, were impassable without snowshoes. Check with the Forest service for advanced reports.

I highly recommend trails originating at Bear Lake which starts at 9,400 feet. The long loop of Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, and a must see Lake Haiyaha. You will fill more data than you can imagine. I recommend wide angle below 20mm and with 10mm as a perfect companion. The reason is to capture not only the foreground of these alpine crater lakes but the towering rims, some 2,000 feet above the lake elevation of 11,000. I assure you, it is other worldly.

In May I recommend gators for your boots and a space blanket in the event of an injury (rolled ankle or bone break) if your hike alone. RMNP is not the Smokey Mountains and the weather can entirely change in 20 minutes. The elevation is too high to see any inclement weather coming in. My comments are not to frighten you but to inform you of Colorado weather. I've summited 70 14ers, with camera gear, and know the "wait" being slowed by high altitude storms.

I am enthused for you to see what so many have traveled to Colorado see. Best wishes.

(Download)

geezer7 Loc: Michigan

My wife and I hiked at RMNP in 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I put together a journal of our days there which you should be able to find at the following link: https://sites.google.com/site/davebrendaleffen/
I had just bought my Canon S90 the previous month so I wasn't used to the camera but you should get an idea of the possibilities available. I don't believe I post processed any of the photos and I don't pretend to be an accomplished photographer.
I would recommend buying a guide to the park. We used "Rocky Mountain National Park Day hiker's guide" by Jerome Malitz. We went there in early September so there was no snow on the ground.
Enjoy the trip it is a beautiful park and my wife and I are talking about returning later this year.
Dave

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

hiked there last July. My sister-in-law hikes it every weekend. a lack of oxygen can make you ill--and it's not pleasant. Some of the 14s require that you crawl over hikers you meet on the trail because of the narrow trails--with sheer walls on one side and sheer drop on the other. I'd stay off of these trails-- or turn back-- unless you are very fit and experienced and are not bothered by heights. Otherwise it's a beautiful place. The other thing to know: get there early or you will not have a place to park and parking in non-designated areas will get you towed--and fined.

sands Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Chances are, you are going to run into some snow at the higher altitudes. I have hiked there many times, and on one occasion in May, ran into a snowstorm at lower altitudes. Might be a good idea to pack a space blanket as well... very lightweight and could save your bacon if you run into a storm.

The trails are excellent and well maintained. Some are a real challenge in terms of slope, but many are easily traversed, just bring some good, we'll broken-in hiking boots! In addition to the advice offered by others, I would check in with the Ranger station at the entrance to the park. They are an excellent source of info about the trail conditions and the snow pack at higher altitudes. I also highly recommend a book: Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park, by Kent and Donna Dannen. It's a Falcon Guide book and can be easily stored in your pack. It has a wealth of info on the trails, what to pack, wear, etc. and trail maps.

I'm jealous of your trip and hope it works out for you and delivers all that you expect. RMNP is a gem!

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

The boot advice was good.... there are rattle snakes if it is warm enough. I lived in CO many years.