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trips - Rocky Mountain (National Park) High

Trip Info

Dates: 7/28 - 8/1/03
Trip Organizer: 2scoops
Location: Rocky Mt. National Park

Number of Attendees: (view all)
4 yes
1 maybe

Colorado
Colorado Books
Colorado Parks

 

Description


I have 4 nights reserved on the Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet Trail loop for the last week in July. PARTY SIZE LIMIT IS 7 due to park regulations, and priority will be given to those who sign up and EMAIL ME (AT SCOTTFECHER@YAHOO.COM) the earliest. If you do not email me, you might not be able to go with us.

It is approximately a 24 1/2 mile loop (26 1/2 if I can get the Haynach campsite) starting around 8500 feet. We will be going counter-clockwise on the loop. The itinerary is as follows:

Sunday morning, I will get two spots at the Timber Creek Campground on the west side of the park, 15-20 minutes north of Grand Lake on US 34. If you are not able to meet us Sunday night, go to the trailhead Monday morning. We will probably be there sometime around 8 or 9. If you dont see us, head for the Big Pool campsite.

Monday: ~ 5 not too difficult miles to Big Pool campsite on the North Inlet Trail. relatively little elevation change (620 feet net elevation gain)

Tuesday: ~ 4.7 miles to July campsite. last 1 1/2 mile will see some steeper elevation change, switchbacking up to just below treeline, at 10,760 feet. will probably take a side-trip up to the unnamed lake between ptarmigan mountain and andrews peak and have lunch at the end of the trail

Wednesday: ~ 8.5 miles, high elevation (just over 12,000). the first two days were just a warm-up. the effort will be worth it for the unobstructed views from on top of the continental divide. weather permitting, a side-trip to the top of hallets peak may be possible. camp will be at either Tonahutu Meadows or Haynach. I currently have Tonahutu reserved, but I might be able to change it to Haynach. wont know until it is almost time to go.

Thursday: first thing in the morning, i would like to take a trip up to haynach lakes, scout the area, and possibly attempt to climb to the summit of nakai peak, if a route that is not dangerous presents itself. depending on whether we are coming from Haynach or Tonahutu Meadows, we will have 4 or 5 miles to South Meadows campsite. We will be on the Tonahutu Creek Trail. Check out page 64 of feb '03 issue of Backpacker magazine for a shot of Tonahutu Creek. Magnificent.

Friday: last day. finish loop by hiking about 3 1/2 miles to trailhead.

finis

I can be reached at scottfecher@yahoo.com with questions/concerns.

Go here for a map if your local outfitter does not carry them:

MAP

 

= Yes, = Maybe

Trip Attendees

stonedhiker 2scoops StoveStomper
aussie strick

 

Picture Albums


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Threads

Thread Name # Messages # Views Last Post
Rocky Mountain (National Park) High225185110:13 PM
8/14/03
created by: 2scoops on 4/21/03 - jump to page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Nakai Peak/Hallets Peak2460812:43 PM
7/18/03
created by: 2scoops on 7/12/03
weather predictions42439:16 AM
7/16/03
created by: nrvale0 on 4/17/03
Airport logistics52148:56 PM
7/15/03
created by: aussie on 7/15/03
Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet loop in RMNP26059:53 AM
4/20/03
created by: 2scoops on 4/19/03

 

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