RMNP Loop

Hi Bryan,

The North Inlet to Tonahutu Creek loop is a classic loop – lot’s of pretty valleys, lakes and some nice alpine tundra along the continental Divide in the middle (do this big before noon because of lightning hazard). Altitude on the divide is over 12,000′, so you’ll want to acclimatization a few days first.

I acclimatize very well, but also very slowly. If it were me, I’d stay on the plains one night after the drive (5000′ elevation, maybe Loveland), then camp near Estes Park/Moraine Park for at least two nights (8,000′ elevation) and do day hiking for a few days. There are lots of easy, medium and long day hikes easily accessible from Estes Park and connecting roads in the part (i.e. Bear Lake for example).

Another option if you want to backpack at lower elevations is to hike up one of the long basins, set up a 2 or 3 night base camp, then day hike from camp. You would not be carrying your parks higher than 10,000′ or so this way. Thunder Lake in Wild Basin is one example (many good day hikes from there, including Lion Lakes).

Also be aware that RMNP requires Bear canisters if that makes a difference in your assessment of that loop.

Bryan,

Me and a buddy did this 2 years ago. BEAUTIFUL route all around. Key points of interest include the Big meadows area (moose!) the trek upto hallet peak (you emerge from the treeline to a beautiful scene, Hallet peak, snowfields on flat-top mountain (late July). Lake views, waterfalls. It’s got everything. We also saw a ton of different rodents (wild ferrets? haha). Some sort of muskrat or marmot creatures. I recommend looking up wildlife beforehand so you can identify them as you see them.

Something that really helped my trip was Diamox (preventative altitude sickness meds). We also took iron supplements because we’re dorks (maybe help with hemoglobin production?) FYI, one group that camped next to us had to hike out at 3am because they were suffering bad. They were locals to Denver. Drink tons of water though and take your meds and you’ll most likely be fine. We were happy as clams the whole time.

Other beta, the day you do the backside gorge heading upto Hallet, wear long sleaves and deet. That’s was the only part with mosquitos we encountered. They were the size of pigeons though.

You can easily do this as 2 day but we did it as a 2.5 and really enjoyed the views. We broke camp at 7am and usually hit camp by 2pm. Spent the afternoons bushwacking around the country side.

Pretty much every list of best RMNP hikes I found includes hallet peak. I hear the short route (east side) can get a little crowded but the West route was fine for us. Encountered people every 2-3 hours or so.

Belated thanks for the input on this trip.  For now it looks like a no go – my usual hiking partner doesn’t seem interested (scared of bears?!?).  I’m trying to come up with another good option for a 3-4 day trip somewhere, leaning towards Grand Teton NP (which also has bears).  May have to find a new hiking partner!

The odds of seeing a bear in RMNP is pretty remote. Canisters required like many National Parks.  Last I heard there are no more than 20-30 in the whole park. I’ve seen a couple of bears around Estes Park, but in 25+ years of camping and hiking none in the park!

I was under the impression RMNP doesn’t have grizzley’s only Black bears.

Only black  bears and not many of those!