Trail Conditions

 

Storm Pass Trailhead, January 12, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

Update - February 5, 2026

Enjoy winter hiking and snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park! Be prepared for cool temperatures and wind. Currently, the amount of snow and ice on trails greatly varies based on elevation and the amount of sunlight an area receives. Expect some snow and ice all hiking trails.

At higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough for snowshoes.

Remember - Your Safety is Your Responsibility

Use Caution Around All Frozen Lakes

Continue to use caution around all frozen lakes. Ice on bodies of water can be thin, especially near inlets and outlets where water is moving under the ice. Walking on frozen lakes or ice skating are not advised.

From now through early June, be prepared for winter hiking conditions; wear warm layers of clothes to help protect your skin from the cold. Waterproof boots, warm socks, traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are all recommended for your safety and comfort when recreating in the winter season.

For your comfort and safety, take time to check the weather forecast before beginning your hike. Be prepared for weather and conditions that can change rapidly and be ready to turn back if needed.

This report is best used as a general guide. By the time you start your hike, conditions on trails in RMNP could be the same, better, or worse than what is described below.

Resources and Safety Information for Hiking in RMNP

Going hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park? Be aware that weather and conditions can change rapidly in the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations. Now through August is the time of year when thunderstorms in the afternoon happen almost daily. Be prepared for thunder and lightning.

When hiking in forest areas, pay attention to the trees near you. Know that falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard throughout the park. When hiking, take time to look up and be aware of your surroundings. Trees and branches can fall without warning!

Other safety tips to be aware of, ticks are out. It is recommended to do frequent tick checks when hiking.

Helpful Resources:

• Check out the National Park Service Trip Planning Guide
• Looking for Information on Longs Peak: View the Longs Peak Conditions Report
• For Area Closures: View Fire Information Area Closures
• Thunderstorms and lighting are common during the summer and early fall seasons. Check out information on Lightning Safety

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Conditions Report

 

Destination	Date	Description of Conditions Found	Reported By
General Conditions for All Trails in RMNP	February 5, 2026	Be prepared for some snow and ice on all trails in RMNP. There is less snow on lower elevation trails. It is helpful to carry traction devices to use in areas where trails and walking paths are icy. On higher elevation trails, including the Bear Lake Nature Trail, there is more snow on the trails. Snow could be hard packed and icy or soft and deep. If recreating in higher elevation areas, it is recommended to carry and be prepared to use both traction devices and snowshoes.	Park Ranger
Cub Lake Trail from Cub Lake Trailhead	February 5, 2026	From the Cub Lake Trailhead, the trail is dry and clear of snow or ice. When the trail veers to the left and begins to climb towards the lake, there are sections of trail that are very icy. The ice is thick and slippery. Traction devices are needed to safely navigate this section of the trail, it is very easy to slip otherwise. Especially take care on the way back down.	Park Visitor
Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Mills Lake	February 2, 2026	Beginning at Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard packed snow. The trail to Alberta Falls is wide and flat, with the rocks covered by packed snow. This section of trail is easy for someone to walk on with traction devices. There are dry patches on the shelf leading to the Loch/Mills junction.	Park Visitor
Colorado River Trail	February 1, 2026	From the Colorado River Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow and ice. The trail is packed down to the Red Mountain Trail Split. Traction devices are helpful. If hiking beyond this split junction, switch out to snowshoes. Many people are enjoying cross-country skiing along this trail.	Park Visitor
Lawn Lake	February 1, 2026	From the trailhead, the Lawn Lake Trail is mostly dry for the first mile. Beyond the first mile, there is hard-packed snow on the trail to about 2.5 miles. This is where I turned around.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake to Two Rivers Lake/Lake Helene	February 1, 2026	Beginning at Bear Lake Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow. Traction devices were used to just past the 2 rock slopes. In the Banana Bowl, there is deep snow drifting, so this is a good place to switch to snowshoes and continue on the summer trail. Once past the 2 rock slopes, the trail diverts from the summer trail to stay lower in the drainage. Drifting is prevalent due to the high winds in that area. Snowshoes are needed for the rest of the way to Two Rivers Lake as well as to Lake Helene. Lots of rocks are exposed, which make lake crossings challenging.	Park Visitor
Cub Lake Trail	January 30, 2026	From Cub Lake Trailhead, the trail is mostly dry until the Aspen grove. After that, there was a mix of thin snow and bare ground on the trail, traction devices were not needed. There are three large sections of ice flows on the trail. For these sections, traction devices were helpful.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake Loop Trail	January 29, 2026	The trail around Bear Lake is covered with hard-packed snow. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised.	NPS Volunteer
Bear Lake to Dream Lake	January 29, 2026	The trail is icy and hard packed. Traction devices are helpful and you can use snowshoes. At Nymph Lake, I would recommend using the summer trail, located at the right end of Nymph Lake. The winter trail is at the left end of Nymph and is very steep. This winter trail is quite challenging to follow up to Dream Lake. The summer trail is slightly longer but much easier to follow and not nearly so steep.	Park Visitor
East Inlet Trail	January 29, 2026	The East Inlet Trail is covered with snow and the snow is hard packed till about 3 miles up the trail. Traction devices are helpful. If heading to Lone Pine Lake, switch out to snowshoes due to snow depth for flotation. There are multiple trees down across the trail prior to Cat's Liar campsite.	Park Visitor
Glacier Creek from Sprague Lake	January 29, 2026	The trail along Glacier Creek from Sprague Lake was easy to follow. There was about 1 inch of snow on the trail.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake Trailhead to Lake Helene	January 27, 2026	From Bear Lake Trailhead to Lake Helene, the trail is covered with snow. As always, conditions can change frequently and rapidly, so the conditions listed here could be the same as, better, or worse than what is described in this report. This is an area where people should be avalanche aware and have the rescue equipment, education, and experience to make informed decisions about traveling in avalanche terrain. For the latest avalanche conditions forecast, visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center webpage It is not recommended to travel beyond Lake Helene this time of the year. Beyond Lake Helene heading toward Odessa Lake, the slope is fairly steep and can have natural avalanche releases with unstable snow. For most of this trail, traction devices were used, but is it recommended to carry floatation devices like snowshoes for areas with deeper snow.	NPS Volunteer
Fern Lake Trailhead to The Pool	January 27, 2026	The trail is mostly covered with hard-packed snow. There is an area with ice on the trail that is about 75 feet long. Traction devices were needed to safely cross.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake to Emerald Lake	January 26, 2026	From Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake, the trail was covered with snow and mostly hard-packed. Traction devices are strongly recommended, as the trail is icy. The snow was not very deep and snowshoes were not needed on this section of trail. There are some sections with wind-blown snow drifts, but the snow was not deep. Take time to check the weather and make sure you are prepared. The temperature was very cold. Gear used on this hike included waterproof winter mountaineering boots with integrated gaiters, hiking poles, traction devices and snowshoes. I carried snowshoes when they were not needed. Warm socks, gloves, ski goggles for eye protection and a gaiter or full face balaclava to protect your neck and face were very nice to have.	NPS Volunteer
Upper Beaver Meadows	January 25, 2026	Upper Beaver Meadows Road and trails were covered with some snow following a recent storm. Traction devices were not needed, but it is advised to carry them with you if sections become icy.	NPS Volunteer
Timber Lake Trail	January 23, 2026	Snow is deep enough for snowshoes. This is a good snowshoeing trail from the trailhead to the landslide.	Park Visitor
Gem Lake Trail	January 21, 2026	The trail to Gem Lake from Lumpy Ridge Trailhead was icy and there were many places with patches of snow. Traction devices were helpful in sections.	Park Ranger
From Bear Lake to Nymph and Dream Lakes	January 12, 2026	From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised. It can be difficult to see the trail around Nymph Lake. It is not recommended to walk on ice, as ice could be thin. It can be easy to wonder off trail when hiking from Nymph to Dream Lake. Pay attention when crossing the outlet stream to Dream Lake. It is easy to miss the footbridge under the snow and walk on ice. This ice is thin. GPS navigation devices to help you navigate along the trail are helpful.	NPS Volunteer
From Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha	January 12, 2026	If following the normal summer trail, there is a section about 30-40 yards that has deep wind-drifted snow and a very steep drop off. This is an area where the trail is icy and it is easy to slip and fall. From Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, this trail is not advised in the winter as it is very slippery and easy to fall even when using traction devices. The Haiyaha Traverse, located about 1/3 mile from the Dream/Haiyaha Junction, is often narrow with a steep drop. If recreating in this area, all members of your party should be avalanche aware. Snowshoes are helpful. It is easy to turn the wrong way on the trail to Lake Haiyaha. GPS navigation is helpful to avoid traveling in the wrong direction.	NPS Volunteer
Longs Peak & Chasm Lake	December 16, 2025	Winter conditions have taken over on Longs Peak and will likely persist well into June of 2026. Any venture beyond the trailhead will require proper winter equipment, routefinding skills, and knowledge of winter travel. Travelers should expect to encounter snow and ice, extremely cold temperatures, avalanche hazards, and high winds. On the Keyhole Route, expect winter conditions with extremely cold temperatures, drifting snow, and widespread ice formation. Avalanche hazards will persist along the Keyhole Route for the remainder of the winter and spring. Click here to view the Longs Peak Conditions Report for details and recent photos	Park Ranger

 

Cross-Country Skiing along the Colorado River Trail

NPS Photo

Submit Your Own Trail Conditions Report

Have you recently been out recreating on any trail inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Would you like to share with others what conditions on the trail was like?

To submit a trail conditions report:

• 💻 Fill out and submit an RMNP Trail Conditions Report online
• ☎️ Call Rocky Mountain National Park staff at 970-586-1206 and share a report over the phone.
• 🏫 Stop by a Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers and fill out a report in person.

 

How Much Snow is in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Most areas and trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park below 10,000 feet are currently snow free. Expect snow and ice on trails located above 10,000 feet in elevation.

How do we know how much snow is in the park? There are several SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. These are monitored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and there is a website available where anyone can see current and past snow depth information specific to each location.

The main SNOTEL Website is: https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=

Every SNOTEL site has a unique site number. For example, the site number for Bear Lake is 322. To see information specific to Bear Lake, visit https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=322

Update as of February 4, 2026

For snow depth at all SNOTEL Sites inside RMNP, see the chart below:

Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 27 inches of snow	Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 26 inches snow	Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 11 inch snow
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 2 inch snow	Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 31 inches snow	Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 21 inches snow
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 34 inches snow	Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 18 inches snow	Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 28 inches snow

 

Photos Showing Trail Conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Trail to Bear Lake, covered with Snow

NPS Photo

 

Bear Lake, taken on January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Upper Beaver Meadows Trail, taken January 25, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Snow cracking on steep slope enroute to Lake Helene, taken January 27, 2026

NPS Photo/D.Turk

 

Deep snow on a section of the Bear Lake Loop Trail, taken January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Trail to Dream Lake Before Nymph Overlook, taken January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Dream Lake, taken January 29, 2026

NPS Photo/D.Turk

 

Haiyaha Traverse, taken January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Things to Know Before Your Next Hike:

Plan ahead and be prepared for varying weather and conditions. Remember- Your safety is in your hands! Trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park can experience extreme weather and conditions can change quickly. In RMNP, all four seasons can happen in one day!

Any Time of Year - Be prepared: Choose your hiking destination wisely. Know your personal limits and choose a trail that meets your goals within your limits. Be willing to turn back for any reason. Always tell someone where you are going, where you will be parked, what your intended route is, when you plan to be back home, and then let them know when you return.

Lakes: Always proceed with caution around icy lakes, especially around inlets, outlets, and rocks, where the ice can be thin.

Route-finding is important. RMNP trails are not marked in winter and following other tracks is not advised, as you don’t know where they lead, and wind and new snow obliterate tracks. When trails are covered in snow, signs may not be visible. Carry a map and compass or GPS and know how to use them.

Be Prepared for Conditions with Essentials. It is important to bring and use the right gear, especially suitable gear for the season.Plan that trails can be snowy much of the year. Depending on conditions and elevation, some trails can be icy and snowy September through midsummer.

Important questions to consider - Do you have the right gear and equipment for your hike? Do you know how to use it?

• Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended, as trails may be icy. Or depending on conditions after snowstorms or at higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised. Hiking poles are helpful for stability.

• Food and water are essential no matter how long your hike.

• Wear layers of wicking clothing and pack extra socks.

• Bring waterproof outer layers (rain gear/snow gear/windproof jacket) and extra layers for warmth. During the summer season, be prepared for afternoon rain storms.

• Pack a hat and gloves, sunglasses or goggles, and sunscreen any time of year. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days. Protect your eyes from the sun and blowing snow.

• It is advised to wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole when hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction, sandals, high-heeled shoes, flip flops, and/or clogs can all lead to cold toes, wet feet, and slips, trips and falls.

Roads can be icy and snowy, especially in shady areas. Be prepared and know how to drive in wintery conditions. If the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is in place in RMNP, for your safety and the safety of other motorists, all vehicles must have properly rated tires with a minimum of 3/16” tread or an approved traction control device.

Pets: Pets are prohibited on all trails, tundra, and meadows areas in Rocky Mountain National Park. For details, see RMNP's Pets Webpage.