Hey Colorado: RMSP or Indian Peaks for a 3D/2N in beginning of Oct?

[David M]

Hey gang, just found out we’ll be out in Colorado visiting family from Oct 4-10, and thought about getting a 3 Day / 2 Night backpacker in. I know the weather might not cooperate that time of year, but we’re definitely up for a trip out if we can do it, but it’s not a make or break for our trip. Obviously not looking to do anything in higher elevations.

We were interested in doing the Crater Lake and Mirror Lake 15 miler. Given that my wife and I are not that experienced with the elevations out there, we figured it would be best to consider this for two nights. We’ll be based out of Denver and take a day or so to acclimate to the elevation change before setting out. I checked the NPS site and the three campsites at Mirror Lake are still reservable.

For reference, we’re backpackers here on the East Coast, mostly hiking in Shenandoah NP, Jefferson/George Washington NF, and sections of the AT. Have only been at it a short time, myself about a year and a half, my wife 9 months. We’re in excellent shape (both half marathoners) and hike 3 weekends out of the month generally. Our pack weights are always sub-20lbs (but on longer trips, right around there with food and water).

Open to any advice whatsoever! I’m just now starting to research this as the trip kinda sprung up on us, so if there are other doable areas in the 15 mile range, I’m all ears. I know it’s late in the Fall, but would to fit something in while we’re there! Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[Lester Moore]

October in CO can be incredible Indian summer weather with comfortable sunny days and cool nights, or it can be a roaring whiteout with 2 feet of snow on the ground and very cold temps. You might consider more than one day at 5K (Denver) for acclimatizing to the altitude. If possible, try for a night in Denver, a night at 7 to 8K feet (maybe Estes Park), then either do an easy backpack or some day hiking. There are lots of very nice day hikes at lower elevations too (S. Boulder Peak and Bear Peak above Boulder, or Grayrock Mt. NW of Fort Collins, etc, all below 8K feet.).

[David M]

@satori so maybe at most, scale it back to a one-night backpack, if that’s even possible? Not trying to push ourselves to hard, but want to make the most of our time out there. Thanks!

[Lester Moore]

Unless you have time to acclimatize well, day hiking will likely be easier on your body than backpacking. You could do some amazing day hikes in the National Park or Indian Peaks as a day hike and expend less energy and feel better than trying to backpack the same hike IMHO. That being said, backpacking can get you back into some areas away from the crowds. There are so many excellent options that you can’t go wrong either way.

Not sure which loop you mean with both a Crater Lake and a Mirror Lake too. Mirror Lake in Rocky Mt NP is a nice hike and a little less crowded being on the Northwest side of the range. Never been to Crater Lake in the southern Indian Peaks, but the general James peak area is very pretty (and closer to Denver). You could day hike both of these destinations too.

[David M]

@satori Thanks Lester. I think we’re going to do some more research over the coming days to get a better feel for what’s out there for us. Also, this was the hike I was referencing: http://www.protrails.com/trail/118/rocky-mountain-national-park-mirror-lake

[Lester Moore]

Yep, that’s a nice area, and a little less crowded due to the distance from Denver. You can camp at the lake and day hike up to Comanche Peak and then hike cross country to Mummy Pass if you feel up to it and have the extra day.

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