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Home > Trip Reports > Rocky Mountain National Park to Moab in 12 Days
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Hallett Peak 12,700ft.
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Ouzel Falls
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Rocky Mountain National Park to Moab in 12 Days
August 2005
Estes Park , CO
posted by Summit Now
The journey began in Akron, Ohio. The driver into Denver, CO was approx. 25hrs and from Denver you follow the route up through Boulder, CO into Estes Park, a small quaint, yet inviting and surrounded by 11,000ft and greater, mountain peaks. On route 36 to Estes Park you can stop by the stone carved sign for Estes Park and get great pictures with the Rockies in the background. From here, we went to our campground at 8,000ft, roughing it and keeping all food items locked in the car, due to bear activity in the area at this time of year (August); it is late in the season where dry spells can occur bringing bears into human contact who are searching for food/water. My advice would be to bring bear spray and wear bells on packs while trekking off trail or backcountry. Visit this area in Spring or early Summer.
On the first day we arrived, our arrival being approx 0900 in the morning, we set up camp and gathered water and day packs and headed to Estes Cone (11,000ft). You have to drive up on the east side and the trailhead is split, one route up Long's Peak (14,256ft) and then to Estes Cone. Follow the Estes Cone trail which will lead you through tall Ponderosa Pines winding along straight for awhile and then you will follow the trail past a small water fall. From here it elevates into long switchbacks that grow shorter and steeper as you go. This turns into a very steep and precipitous grade and you will most likely end up using your arms to clasp roots and small boulders to make it up the last 700-800ft to the peak. Once you reach the Summit you will have a view to die for, with the surrounding valleys and peaks set out before you like a vast choppy ocean of rock embunkments. The trek up Estes Cone is a MUST for anyone staying in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The park also has some less strenuous hikes like Ouzel Falls and Calypso Cascades of which we ventured on the day after Estes Cone. The trail is lengthy and is great for an all day slow hike. You will pass a great view of the Keyhole route up Long's Peak; bring lots of film. Some of the views are completely breathtaking. This trail will wind around following what is essentially the very beginnings of the Colorado River as a small mountain stream. The destination at Ouzel Falls is wonderful; you will be able to get right up next to the falls and get wet if you want, but you can also keep your distance and still marvel at your surroundings. The stream from the falls has a small 'jetty' that you can lay on and rest for awhile. Again...this hike is a MUST for anyone visiting the park!
On our third day, we drove route 34, the highest road in the United States (you will have to pay a fee to enter the park; I recommend paying the $60 or so dollars for a one year pass). We drove up through Medicine Bow curve, which is an extremely sharp curved road with switchback leading down the west side of the park.. Stop at the Contintental Divide sign and get a picture...you'll love it later on... Close by is Specimen Mountain... This trail is dark and intimidating, but no worries...keep the noise level high to ward off bears in the area and the climb is well worth it. There are bighorn sheep at the top, but be warned, you will have to end the trek before getting to the top because the park service has made the bighorn sheep area a sanctuary. The view is great!!! A MUST DO!
On our fourth day a RMNP we started at 7:00am to the trailhead of Hallett Peak. This is the coolest looking peak in the park, if you ask me. But the summit is 12,700ft approx. and it was highlight of our trip. The trailhead begins at a series of small lakes that are fairly touristy, but go right past the people to the trailhead and for some reason things quiet down when you reach the trailhead ...haha...there aren't too many people who want to go all the way up. But this trail starts out fairly moderate in difficulty; you will reach a point where there is a sign, maybe after 2-3 miles and one trail goes off to another site, but to the left the trail keeps going up. Hallett Peak is perfect for a beginning hiker/climber, the altitude is not too great where altitude sickness should be a worry, but of course you have to still be careful. But it offers all the great climate zone changes as you go up. Starting in the alpine forest to subalpine where you will see dwarfed pines; then into the Tundra, where it is mostly rocks and lichens and you will see Peka and Yellow Bellied Marmots living in and around the rocks. Great sights! We saw some Elk that actually made it up to about 11,000ft just off Flattop Mountain! Very cool. You will run into a stop off on the way up which will give you a great look at Emerald Lake down below about 3,000ft or so...bring the camera!! We did the trail the day before to Emerald Lake and sat and had lunch at the rocky base of Hallett Peak. Looking up and realizing we would be on the top the next day was inspiring enough. So on and on, you will keep up into the Boulder Field where you will go through a trail change from actual 'trail' into following cairns, which are pyramidal stone stacks marking routes to the summit. You may want to stick to the cairn trail closest to Tindle Glacier, it is the best view. The last 700ft or more, is grueling if you are out of shape. It is a seemingly 55degree andgle climb up to the top...and get ready to use your arms and hands to help getting up to the top. At the summit there is a wind shelter built from rock; you can see Long's Peak with ease off into the distance. Take in the sights for 30 minutes or so and get off the mountain. You do not want to get stuck in an afternoon lightning storm at the peak. Very dangerous. This day we got off just in time and when we were about half way down, a HUGE storm rolled in and there were still some people who were stuck at the top. I don't know if anyone was injured, but I remember a gentlman who went up with little water or protection. Not a good idea.
I recommend this trip to anyone looking for a nice cruise across the country. We started in Ohio, but wherever you are...just go! You'll thank yourself for the rest of your life.
Cheers
Summit Now
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