Comments on: Up and Over in RMNP- Euro Style

By: RN

RN — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:54:25 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. I actually called this morning and confirmed that it's no issue. Thanks.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:25:16 +0000

In reply to RN. You shouldn't. I'd call RMNP, though, if you have concerns.

By: RN

RN — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 03:26:19 +0000

I’m thinking about starting a CDT southbound section by taking a shuttle from Denver airport to Estes Park and then hiking Bear Lake to Grand Lake as a day hike after staying at the Glacier Basin campground for a few nights to explore the area (day hiking). I won’t have a car. If I hike Bear Lake to Grand Lake as a day hike with my overnight gear, would I get into any trouble with not having a backcountry permit? I’ve seen both of your posts on the “European Style” trips over the divide but it looks like your group was carrying only day packs, not overnight gear. Thanks.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 19:21:13 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. Thanks! Now that I've thought about it a little more, I'm leaning towards leaving this trip off for a future time in which I have more navigation experience and a lighter pack.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 05:29:17 +0000

In reply to Ryan. Ryan, sounds likea nice trip! I do not recall BGP it being overly difficult in terms of navigation or terrain, but my friends and I are all experienced off-trail hikers. It is a big day in terms of elevation gain. Expect slower times versus trail hiking. I'd encourage you to brush up on your off-trail travel skills a bit before tackling this one. It is not overly tough, but having some comfort level before going on overnight off-trail trip may be helpful. Good luck!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 05:18:43 +0000

I know this is an old post, but I wanted to ask about the traverse over Boulder-Grand Pass. I booked camping permits for a trip that would take me from Thunder Lake to Lake Verna (over Boulder-Grand Pass) to Nokoni/Nanita Lakes (via Andrew’s Peak?) to Flattop Mountain to Bear Lake. If I go through with this plan, this would be the most off-trail travel I have done. I’m not sure if it’s a good first exposure to off-trail backpacking though… the BGP descent (on the West side) looks very steep on the map! How difficult was the terrain there? Was the bushwacking down to fourth lake particularly tough? I’m imagining a lot of downed beetle-kill trees, and am not sure if I am up for it with a heavy pack (around 30 lbs or so). As a point of reference, I did the 4-pass loop a month ago comfortably in 3 days. But that was over well-groomed trails…