Three Ideas For Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park

Three Ideas For Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is finest known for its incredible scenic hiking trails, breathtaking alpine surroundings, and abundance of wildlife. With so many things to see and do, there’s a bit bit of something, for everyone, in the Rockies.


Listed below are our prime three suggestions for getting the most out of your next trip to the Rocky Mountains:

1 Get Acclimated
Rocky Mountain National Park begins at the already-lofty elevation of seven,840 toes and extends all the way in which up to 14,259 feet on the summit of Longs Peak. Unfortunately, for those who’re not correctly acclimated, the high altitude can put a severe damper in your adventure plans.


Decrease oxygen ranges can lead to labored breathing, elevated heart rate, headaches, fatigue, and even nausea. Because your body is working on overdrive to soak up oxygen, it’s more susceptible to Altitude Illness and different altitude-associated symptoms.


Fortuitously, getting acclimated is fairly easy and straightforward. So, earlier than you go full-on-adventure mode, you could need to consider the next suggestions:


Keep hydrated
There’s no such thing as an excessive amount of H20 in a temperate climate just like the Rockies. Try to avoid caffeinated, sugary drinks as a lot as potential and drink a ton of water to maintain yourself hydrated.

Layer up

Not only must you keep watch over the weather, however you need to assume that temperatures will change all through the day – they often do in the Rockies. Layer your clothing or pack appropriately to ensure you can keep your core body temperature, regardless of the place you are within the park. Packing lightweight, well-insulated sweatshirts, just like the Ororo Heated Hoodie, or a fleece-lined, water resistant jacket, like the Ororo Heated Jacket, will give you versatility and luxury in Rocky Mountain’s various climates.


Take it simple
It’s understandable that you simply’re desirous to hit the trails, however chances are you'll need to consider grabbing an excellent book, throwing on a comfy jacket, and spending the afternoon hanging around in a hammock. Low-impact activities, significantly on your first day, are among the finest things you can do to get acclimated.


Eat high-calorie foods
For those who’re searching for a guilt-free reason to bask in your favourite high-calorie camp meal, you’ll be stoked to find out that consuming more calories is an effective way to assist your body acclimate to high altitudes. At high altitudes, your body is working harder and desires more fuel, so, pack an extra Snickers in your daypack earlier than you hit the path! Snickers.

2 Take a Hike
What higher way to experience the great thing about the Rockies, than by taking a walk into the woods? With over 300 miles of hiking trails to select from, there’s a trail for every type of hiker in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikes range from highly accessible wilderness walks to arduous treks up 14,000-foot peaks, so you’ll wish to do some pre-planning earlier than you arrive.


That will help you slim down your must-hike list, we’ve included the top three hikes within the park beneath:


Bear Lake Loop: A short .6-mile stroll that provides views of Hallet, Longs Peak, california posters and early morning reflections in a subalpine lake. This trailhead also gives access to 3 different notable trails: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake.

Mt. Ida: A crowned-jewel of the park, this 9.6-mile out and back path presents sweeping views of the alpine tundra, as well as Mummy Range, Mt. Julian, Longs Peak, and different notable Rocky Mountain landmarks.

Fern Lake: A 7.8-mile trek that ends in incredible views of Notchtop and Little Matterhorn. Hike this path to experience cascading waterfalls, subalpine lakes, and an opportunity to view some wildlife!

As a basic rule of thumb, hikers ought to be aware of lightning and storm risks when hiking at higher elevations. Attempt to keep away from notorious afternoon thunderstorms by hiking within the morning and packing correct gear.

three Take a Drive
One of the distinctive experiences found in Rocky Mountain National Park Is the 48-mile Trail Ridge Road, which stretches between Estes Park and Grand Lake. Recognized by locals as the ‘highway to the sky,’ Trail Ridge Road is the highest steady paved road in the United States and crosses the Continental Divide at an astonishing 12,183 feet.


In addition to offering awe-inspiring views of the Rockies and a wide range of wildlife sightings, Trail Ridge Road also supplies a rare opportunity to drive past the thick subalpine forest into the alpine tundra. In actual fact, eleven miles of the highway extends above the tree line!


Roughly midway by means of your adventure, you'll be able to drop by the Alpine Customer Center, the highest customer’s middle within the National Park System, and seize a chunk to eat or a cup of coffee.


Weather situations alongside Trail Ridge Road, particularly in the alpine tundra, are recognized to be unpredictable and resemble weather you’d discover in the Canadian Arctic. It’s common for guests to expertise extraordinarily high winds and temperatures that are 20 to 30 degrees cooler than neighboring Estes Park. Don’t overlook to pack your Ororo Heated Jacket, so you get warmer, quicker, and are protected against the wind on your alpine journey!