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Mount Ida

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (39)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. Trail Ridge Road
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“A relatively easy but exposed trail to a gem in the center of RMNP. ”

Nathan Jamieson
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Map Key

9.5

Miles

15.3

KM

Out and Back

12,825' 3,909 m

High

10,758' 3,279 m

Low

2,231' 680 m

Up

2,228' 679 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This route quickly takes you above treeline for a fairly easy but exposed trail along the continental divide to an accessible peak overlooking all of Rocky Mountain National Park

Need to Know

I accidentally started to head southwest thinking there might be good trails but that was a mistake. Several of the trails that are marked on the map are unfortunately wrong or not maintained and very difficult to find and require significant trail finding to get back on track. If you start out going north from the parking lot you'll find the trail without any problems

Although this trail seems very straightforward you should be aware that after only a few miles this trail leaves you very exposed to the elements. Be prepared for cold winds, significant sun, and rapid changes in weather. If you get caught out in the open near the peak during one of the infamous afternoon thunderstorms, it will still take you several miles to make it back to the safety of the treeline.

Description

Start from Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass and head northeast toward Poudre Lake. Parking fills up quickly and this area is known for it's afternoon thunderstorms so plan on getting there early if possible. You'll hike past the southern shore of Poudre Lake and at approx. 1/2 mile the Ute Trail will break left and head toward the Alpine Visitor Center. You should keep right and follow the signs toward Mt Ida.

This will take you uphill and toward the southwest side of the hills. Early in the journey, you'll be rewarded with intermittent views of the Never Summer Mountains to the west. After you pass the treeline, you'll have ample opportunities to soak in the views of this mountain range, and you'll even be able to see Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake in the distance toward the south.

Following this well-traveled route will take you over intermittently steep slopes and flat trail, and you can move fairly quick over the following section. Be sure to stop at the saddle just before making the ascent to Mt Ida to see some temporary lakes fed by the glaciers in this region. Soon after this point, it may be tricky to find a steady trail to the top. On the way up, I followed a trail that routed me nearer the edge, but this gradually faded away as you scramble over larger and larger boulder fields. I was glad I brought my trekking poles for this section of the trail. If you are comfortable with this, continue to work your way uphill but away from the ridge edge toward the summit at just under 13k feet.

This amazing summit will give you incredible views of nearly the entire park as you straddle the continental divide. In the valley below you sits Azure and Inkwell lakes in the Cirque Basin. In the distance to the southeast you can see Longs Peak and to the southwest you can see Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake. Luckily there are a few places on the peak to take a break from the wind before starting your trek down.

As you head back downhill, you should follow the obvious trail but I should let you know that navigation can be tricky as you descend from the summit. You may be tempted to follow well-worn paths, but sometimes they lead to places in the middle of the alpine tundra with no easy way back to the original trail. I think the best thing to do is head back down the trail from the summit until you seem to be past the large rock field and take a right and work your way back toward the edge of the cliffs you came up on. This should get you back to the main trail and from there it is an easy trip back to the start.

Flora & Fauna

You may see alpine sunflowers or arctic gentian as well as marmots, picas, deer, bighorn sheep, and elk grazing on the open tundra

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Nathan Jamieson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 39 votes

#1

in Trail Ridge Road

#268

Overall
  4.7 from 39 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Trail Ridge Road

#64

in Colorado

#268

Overall
15 Views Last Month
9,647 Since Aug 23, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Mt Ida trail, Rocky Mountain National Park
Jul 19, 2022 near Grand Lake, CO
On top of Mt Ida looking southwest you see several valleys as well as Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake in the distance
Aug 23, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO
Coming down from the summit of Mt. Ida, we make our way off into the horizon.
Apr 7, 2017 near Grand Lake, CO
Mt. Ida Summit - 7.29.22
Sep 26, 2022 near Grand Lake, CO
On top of Mt Ida looking East. Below are Azure and Inkwell lakes and Longs Peak in the distance.
Aug 23, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO
Marmot on the Mountain
Aug 16, 2023 near Grand Lake, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 73 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 28, 2024
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Sep 30, 2023
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10.4mi — 4h 44m
Jul 16, 2023
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Jul 15, 2023
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Jun 19, 2023
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Beautiful scenery. A steady hike with a bit of a scramble. The hike is well paved. The first mile is drastically snowy compared to the rest of the… 95mi — 6h 30m
Jul 17, 2022
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