Last updated: June 18, 2026
General Overview of Current Trail Situation in Rocky Mountain National Park
We're in the early summer season in Rocky Mountain National Park. The last of the snow is going. A majority of trails will be snow-free, but you may encounter some patches of snow around tree line or up in the alpine zone. Soon our summer thunderstorm cycle will begin. During most afternoons in the summer you will need to be on the lookout for electrical storms. They can be extremely dangerous. During these storms you do not want to be out of your car above tree line, or next to a large body of water.
Western Ute Trail - June 20, 2026
Also, be aware that this summer the fire danger is already high and both Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park have fire restrictions in place. You can check the current fire danger and restrictions here.
Specific trail reports
These trail reports are primarily provided early in the season(April-July) and late in the season (October-November) to report snow fields, ice, fallen trees, or trail damage. From mid-July through early October there are usually very few reports since most trails are open and in good condition.LL
June 20
The Western Ute Trail is again clear to travel down to Milner Pass. You may encouter a few patches, but they can be easily passed. The trail up Mount Ida is mostly snow-free apart from some large drifts near tree line.
June 13
The Longs Peak Trail up to Chasm Junction is snow-free. However, be aware that if you are heading to Chasm Lake that there is still a steep snowfield to cross. Hiking poles and microspikes are recommended, especially early in the morning when the snow can be quite icy.
The Keyhole Route to the top of Longs Peak is still technical. There is still a lot of snow and ice all along the route. It is not advised to hike this way unless you have the equipment (ice axe and crampons) and the experience for a winter ascent.
June 4
- Trails are melting out fast, but there is still a lot of snow from about 10,000 feet up to tree line. If you are hiking up to Emerald Lake you'll cross snow fields just before Emerald Lake. If you head up to The Loch, you'll encouter snow fields just before the lake and for most of the way past it to Sky Pond. These snow fields can be quite icy and so bringing traction like microspikes is recommended.
May 12
- Trails at high elevations remain under snow. Due to high temperatures, snow will melt and refreeze, contributing to avalanche risk.
May 6
- Following a large spring storm, all trails in the park are now covered in snow. Reports show that Bear Lake has received at least 19" of fresh snow. Traction devices are recommended especially for higher altitude trails, although snow in the lower elevation areas and meadows may melt sooner.
April 22
- We had a very warm day with temperatures reaching about 70 degrees F in Estes Park. I hiked up to Chasm Lake to check out trail conditions. The first 1.6 miles of the Longs Peak Trail was snow free. Then there was patchy snow/ice. For some of it microspikes would have been nice, but the terrain alternated between snow and dry path, so I opted not to wear my spikes. Once you are above tree line, you have only occasional patches of snow. Between Chasm Junction and Chasm Meadow there is still that very steep section of snow that needs to be crossed. It could be very icy when it's cold or in the mornings and if it gets hot, it could be prone to avalanche. Only cross this section if you have microspikes, poles, and a good sense of balance, as the consequences of slipping are significant. Then, the last climb up to the lake is still snow and ice covered. Microspikes and poles are highly recommended for this section both for the ascent and descent.
The first 1.6 miles of trail were snow free - April 22, 2026
There are many patches of snow like this. - April 22, 2026
After Chasm Junction - April 22, 2026
Dangerous section before Chasm Meadow - April 22, 2026
Final climb up to Chasm Lake (Note it's all ice under that snow.) - April 22, 2026
April 17
The summit of Flattop Mountain in blizzard conditions - April 17, 2026
April 7
- The trail from Lily Lake up to Storm Pass was snow-free until you reach Storm Pass. Continuing on up to Estes Cone there are some patches of snow.
April 6
- We had a little snow in the mountains over the last week. This has led to icy trails from 9,000' upward. If you are heading up to Dream and Emerald Lakes, most of the trail is hardpacked snow and ice, but there are some stretches where you walk on dirt.
- Heading to Lake Haiyaha is not for everyone. The trail is narrow and icy, but you can get to the lake this way. Just be aware that after a big snowfall or on very warm days, the stretch of trail from Dream Lake to Haiyaha can be prone to avalanches.
March 31
- The Longs Peak Trail is mostly snow-free until just past the Goblins Forest Campsite about 1.5 miles up from the trailhead. Beyond that point the trail is mostly snow-covered until you get above tree line. Microspikes are helpful. Above tree line the trail is mostly snow-free up to Chasm Junction.
From Chasm Junction to Chasm Lake, you will encounter a very steep snowy section. It is much steeper than it looks in the photo below. This can be crossed with microspikes and poles, if you have a very good sense of balance and are comfortable with heights. However, if you were to slip or trip, the consequences could be very serious. If you are in doubt about it, don't do it.
March 24
- I just hiked up Twin Sisters Peaks. The gate is still closed down by Lily Lake so you'll have to park at the bottom. Most of the trail is snow free with only occasional patches. However for about half a mile before tree line there is quite a bit of snow. In the mornings it will be icy and in the afternoons it can be soft and on very warm days it can be deep. Once you break through the trees then there are only occasional patches of snow.
March 24, 2026 - Twin Sisters Trail just prior to tree line. This is typical of what you'll find at tree line on most trails.
March 22
- The trail up Deer Mountain is mostly snow free for the first mile. After about a mile it gets rather icy on the switchbacks. Then at around 2.3 miles as the trail heads to the north side of the mountain you'll experience periods of snow/ice. The final climb to the summit is also rather icy. If you decide to do the full loop around the mountain, you'll encounter quite a bit of snow from the summit until the trail breaks out on the south side. There is very little snow on the rest of the trail including all the way back around the north side of the mountain.
March 9
- We had a big snowstorm last week which brought 6-12" of snow to the park, depending on the area. The lower areas are melting out, but there is still quite a bit of snow between 9,000' and tree line.
- The Longs Peak Trail was mostly snowcovered up to tree line. Microspikes are recommended. Above tree line there is some drifting but it is melting out. Do not attempt the crossing to Chasm Lake unless you have the training and equipment to traverse the dangerous slope before Chasm Meadow.
February 23
- The trail up to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake are snow packed. Microspikes are recommended.
- The trail up to Haiyaha is often subject to avalanche danger, so talk to a ranger before heading up. As of today, snowshoes are needed from Dream Lake up to Lake Haiyaha.
February 21
- The first portion of the Longs Peak Trail, up to tree line, is on softly packed snow. This may become icy over the next days and so you may want to bring microspikes with you. From tree line to Chasm Junction the trail alternates between open rocky trail and snow drifts. The drifts can at times make the real trail hard to follow.
- The trail to Chasm Lake from Chasm Junction should not be done unless you have both the skills and equipment necessary. Every year a very steep snow slope develops on this section which is dangerous to cross due to the consequences of slipping and because this slope can be prone to avalanches.
February 18
- The Cub Lake Trail was packed snow all the way to the lake. It was possible to descend down to The Pool through shin deep snow. This section can be dangerous if there is a lot of snow due to the potential for avalanches, but on this day there wasn't enough to be a concern. From the Pool back to the Cub Lake Trailhead it was all well packed snow. Microspikes were helpful.
February 9
- Old Fall River Road can be walked nearly to Willow Park without snowshoes. There are patches of snow on the way up, but most of it has hardened into ice. Starting about a mile before Willow Park and continuing upward snowshoes are needed.
- Most of the trails around Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge require microspikes as the snow has been packed down enough that it has turned to ice in many places.
January 1
- For the first sunrise of the year I headed up to Chasm Lake. Microspikes were very helpful from the trailhead up to tree line due to the packed and sometimes icy snow. Above tree line microspikes were no longer needed until Chasm Junction. From Chasm Junction to Chasm Meadow, microspikes are highly recommended as there are numerous icy areas. Also, there is one 30' section of trail just before Chasm Meadow where the trail is on a very steep snow-covered slope. A fall here could have serious consequences and should not be attempted without microspikes, poles, and a very good sense of balance. Also, the final climb up to Chasm Lake has a big flow of ice. You will need to make your way around this to safely reach the top.
- The Gem Lake Trail is snow and ice free, apart from some very small little patches which you can easily step over.
December 25
- Wild Basin Road is closed at the winter parking area. From there up to the trailhead the road is mostly snow free, though there are a few icy patches along the way. From the main Wild Basin Trailhead up to Calypso Cascades the trail is snowpacked and microspikes are helpful.
December 24
- The Longs Peak Trail is snowpacked with soft snow during the day and icy in the mornings and after the sun goes behind the mountains in the evening. Because of the lack of snow, it is possible to hike all the way to Chasm Lake without encountering dangerous snow fields.
- The trails in the Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge area are mostly snowpacked. They can be icy in the mornings and after the sun sets in the afternoons. You will also encounter numerous patches where the snow has melted revealing the rock or dirt beneath it.
December 19
- The trail from Lily Lake to Storm Pass is a bit rough. There is crusty snow on most of it and neither snowshoes nor microspikes are very helpful. Like so many of the trails in the park right now, you will encounter fallen trees, but most of them are easily passable on this trail.
December 16
- Old Fall River Road is mostly snow free all the way to Chasm Falls. There are a few patches of snow that are not very deep. The trail heading down to Chasm Falls from the parking area is icy and so microspikes are recommended for that short section. If you continue beyond the falls, the road alternates between being snow-covered and dry. The farther up you go the deeper those snowy patches get and eventually snowshoes are very helpful.
December 10
- Be aware that because of recent wind storms that many of the trail on the east side of the park will have many fallen trees on the trails.
- The Longs Peak Trail up to tree line is soft snow with deeper drifts as you approach tree line. Currently, snowshoes work better than microspikes.
- The Fern Lake Trail and the Lake Bierstadt Trail beginning at Bear Lake have soft snow and it is deep in places. Snowshoes are recommeneded. There were numerous fallen trees between Bear Lake up and Lake Bierstadt.
November 25
- The trails around Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge are quite icy, microspikes and poles are recommended. This includes Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, The Loch, Mills Lake, and other lakes in this area.
- The Longs Peak Trail did not require microspikes until the higher elevations, but this will change with the next snowfall.
October 6
- The Longs Peak Trail had snow and in the trees near tree line and the last scramble up to Chasm Lake from Chasm Meadow also had snow and ice.
You can find more trail reports and leave your own report on this official Rocky Mountain National Park Trails Page. nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm
Trail Closures
- Upper Mummy Pass Trail is closed to all users.
You can read more about trail closures and see a map here.
Winter Hiking Reminders
Here are a few important things to keep in mind as you head out onto the trails this winter.
1. Be Avalanche Aware.
From mid-October through mid-June anyone hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the mountains should be aware of the potential for avalanches to occur. A good rule of thumb is to avoid being on or immediately below slopes that have an angle of 35-45 degrees and to know the current avalanche forecast before you head out.
Here's a good introduction to avalanche safety by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. If you plan to spend a lot of time out in the mountains in the winter, consider taking an avalanche training course. Several are offered in Rocky Mountain National Park by groups such as Kent Mountaineering and the Colorado Mountain School.
2. Be prepared for high winds.
High winds are normal in Rocky during the winter, but there comes a point at which they become dangerous. There are many dead trees in the forest that fall during high winds. Falling trees are called "widow-makers" for a reason. Be prepared to turn-around if the winds are strong enough to topple dead trees.
3. Bring proper equipment.
For most hikes you will need microspikes, snowshoes, or skis. These can all be rented in Estes Park or Grand Lake. You'll also want to make sure you have sufficient warm clothing. Avoid wearing jeans or other cotton based clothing as it holds on to moisure and will not keep you warm once it gets wet.
4. Always let someone know where you are going, when you plan to return, and who to contact if you don't.
