HOW TO USE: This is a rough guideline for your trip. Be sure to fill in the blanks and send to your loved ones. Remember, the wilderness is wild, plan accordingly.
ITINERARY
Emerald Lake Snowshoe, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
TBD (_) Trailmaster
On ______, ______is snowshoeing to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Boulder. Trailhead is approximately 75 miles from Denver. This trip involves car camping in Moraine Park within RMNP for two nights with the main event being day trip to Emerald Lake. The trip totals 3.5 miles and is anticipated to be of easy difficulty as the trail is relatively flat; this is an ideal first snowshoe trip. If you have not been snowshoeing, consider your gear and weather carefully.
Water at the campground is turned off during the winter so plenty of water will need to be brought in the cars. The snowshoe hike is in incredible terrain with amazing views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak.
Campsite Directions- From Denver, take Highway 36 north through Boulder, Lyons to Estes Park. In Estes Park, turn south/left on Moraine Avenue which eventually becomes an entrance to RMNP. After paying the entrance fee, head into the park and turn left/south on Bear Lake Road. Your next option right is Moraine Park which leads directly into the campground.
Trailhead Directions - From Moraine Park Campground road, turn south/right on Bear Lake Road and follow it to its end at the Bear Lake Ranger Station which is the trailhead.
SCHEDULE
FridayDay 1, (0.0 Miles)
7:00 pm arriveMoraine Park Campground and set up camp
10:00 Lights out
SaturdayDay 2, (3.5Miles)
7:00 up and about, breakfast, make ready for hike.
8:30 arrive Bear Lake Trailhead and head out to Emerald Lake
10:00 Lunch at Emerald Lake. Snowball fight, generally laugh hard
12:00 head back to Bear Lake Trailhead
2:00 arrive at trailhead and head back to Moraine Park to camp
4:00 High tea
5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night
10:00 Lights out
SundayDay 3, (0 Miles)
8:00 Up and about, morning camp fire, breakfast, pack up and throw more snowballs
10:00 Make ready to move out.
11:00 begin head home congratulate ourselves on how cool we are.
WEATHER (expected)
Likely to be below freezing most of the time. Wind is always possible and will make all activity more difficult due to cold. It could also be warm and calm. But, it isn’t sure; be prepared for 30 to 0 degrees and snow. These are the Colorado Mountains and nearly any weather system is possible.
WHAT TO TAKE,see website wintergear list.
REMEMBER, backpacking teaches you to take care of yourself in a wilderness setting and to enjoy it.
If your mother packed your pack, you have too much stuff.
The Boy Scout Outdoor Code, the 4 c’s; CLEAN IN YOUR OUTDOOR MANNERS, CAREFUL WITH FIRE, CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS, CONSERVATION MINDED.
COSTS
Gas
Food
WHO's Going
Fill this in with names and cell phone.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 US highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone:(970) 586-1206
ATTACHED
81/2 x 11 copy of map