Rocky Mountain National Park Snowshoeing Travel Guide

Winter is one of the best times to explore the park because the summer crowds are long gone and the peaks are full of snow. The air is cool and crisp, and you are almost assured bright Colorado sunshine. The park maintains many of the hiking trails during the winter and provides recommended winter hikes in the park's newspaper, distributed at visitor centers. Most snowshoe hikes are suitable for cross-country skiing.
The snow is always deep on the west side of the park. Use the Green Mountain Trailhead for a good uphill grunt up Green Mountain Trail. The trail levels out at Big Meadows, two miles into the trail, making a good turnaround point. Remember, that the west side trails are only accessed via Grand Lake in the winter.
The road to Bear Lake Trailhead is kept open all winter, and snowshoe trails abound from here. If snow is scarce, try Bierstadt Lake Trail for good snow conditions and shelter from the wind. The trail is easy, well-marked, and only two miles to Bierstadt Lake and two miles back to the trailhead.
To test out your new snowshoe skills, a nice, level trail runs along Sprague Lake. Once you get the hang of it and want something harder, drive up the road to Bear Lake Trailhead and take the trail to Emerald Lake.
Still craving something more difficult? Start at Glacier Gorge trailhead and go six miles to the Loch. You'll be treated to frozen waterfalls and great views of the surrounding alpine peaks.

Winter Sports Overview: Rocky Mountain National Park

One way to beat the crowds at most national parks is to go in winter. Access roads from the east are kept open in Rocky Mountain National Park, and provide the winter traveler with a panorama of the high mountains. The park's winter sports are glorious. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing generally take place in the lower valleys-Bear Lake and Wild Basin areas are particularly popular with the big shoeprint set. Most other areas of the park could be considered "ski mountaineering" rather than "ski touring" with steep climbs and descents, narrow routes, and sharp turns. Check with the Park Service for safety tips regarding avalanches, lake and stream hazards, and other dangers. Read More

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Rocky Mountain National Park Snowshoeing Travel Guide