National Park Service Rocky Mountain U.S. Department of the Interior Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall River Area Trail Guide
Deep valleys and towering alpine mountaintops, beautiful lakes and rushing rivers, historic roads, rocky trails, and stunning wilderness: all are part of the Fall River Area of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bighorn Sheep and Horseshoe Park including the Sheep Lakes • Do not approach wildlife. Wildlife are Elk are Frequently area can have abundant wildlife. When view- unpredictable and can hurt you, and Seen in This Area ing any wildlife: approaching them can cause them stress, • Obey wildlife closure areas and “no stop- leading to disease or illness. If an animal ping” traffic zones. changes its behavior because of you: you are too close! Enjoy and photograph them from • Use parking areas along the road. If not a distance. available, pull your vehicle completely off the road and do not park on vegetation. • Never feed wildlife, including birds and chipmunks.
Tips for a Pay Attention to Altitude Bring the Right Gear Great Hike High elevations can cause altitude sickness 33Bring waterproof outer layers and extra lay- and may aggravate existing health conditions. ers for warmth. Use caution. Take time to acclimatize to the park’s high altitude before attempting strenu- 33Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. ous hikes. Rest, drink lots of fluids, eat salty Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, snacks, and start with easy hikes. even on cloudy days. 33Pack extra water and snacks. Don’t drink Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation from streams or lakes without treating the can be intense at altitude. Protect yourself by water. wearing a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, 33Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know and sunscreen. how to use them.
Watch the Weather: It changes quickly! 33Wear sturdy footwear with good ankle sup- Thunderstorms are common in summer and port and a treaded sole. are dangerous. Plan your day to be below 33Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have treeline by early afternoon. If you see building no service. storm clouds, head back to the trailhead. If Stay Safe and Practice Good Etiquette caught in a lightning storm, get below treeline. • Pets are prohibited on all Rocky Mountain National Park trails, tun- It might be summer, but expect snow, gusty dra, and meadows areas. There are pet- winds, and cold temperatures at any time. friendly hikes outside the park, and nearby Always carry storm gear, even if the sky is communities have boarding facilities and clear when you start your hike. Carry layers veterinary clinics. To learn more, visit of windproof clothing. If the weather turns, go.nps.gov/RockyPets. you’ll be glad to have them. • Stay together! Keep everyone, including children, with the group. • Stay on the trail. Shortcutting causes erosion. • In the Fall River Corridor, strollers are allowed only on the nature trails around Hidden Valley.
For More Park Information...... (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo Information Trail Ridge Road Status...... (970) 586-1222 Emergencies ...... 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado BL-S 05-2017 Fairchild Mountain . mi 1 502 . km 115 Crystal Lake Fall River Area Trails E . mi G Lawn Lake . km Rocky is very busy in summer and on fall weekends. N 0 2 A R 0 2 Expect congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails. Ypsilon Mountain 1 51 Tour and hike early and late in the day. Parking areas often ll by mid- 11 morning. Carpool or use the free summer shuttle buses. r e v i R Spectacle
Lakes
Mount Alpine isitor enter Y Chiquita Mount M 1 0 Ypsilon Tileston M Lake 1125 0 To U . mi Grand Lake Chiquita . km Fall River M Lake Pass hapin reek g Trailhead Mount Chapin n ri . mi 12 5 a . km 7 o Dark Mountain . mi R 10 5 . km Bighorn Mountain 10 . mi 11 . km . mi ek . km Cre ld Fall Riv er R Cow n oad N e 0 arr ay B o up 1 5 l a di onl c k rt ro y. Roa ad d open ith no early Old Fall River Road guard uly S . mi rails ti ept. The Needles ght s . mi Start of ld MacGregor 100 . km . mi itch Mountain . km acks . km Fall River Road 0 • losed in inter Chasm . mi 10 Falls Fa . km 1 ll L Balanced Gem Endovalley Riv U M Rock Lake 1 15 er P Y R I Winter Gate Alluvial D G E Fan Sheep akes . mi . mi S C . mi Wildlife viewing Fall River isitor enter a n . km . km y o . km B do nhill n The Twin Owls To Rain o urve Ho Glen rses . mi Beaver hoe Haven . mi . km 25 Ponds Park Aspenglen . km ampground umpy Ridge Hidden alley Deer Ridge Trailhead unction Castle Mountain Trailhead DESTINATION DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN . mi 2 Many . km mi km ft m . mi Parks . km Estes Park Winter Gate To Alluvial Fan 0.3 0.5 60 18 urve isitor enter Loveland r . mi Beaver Mountain Loop 4.7 7.6 1160 354 inte Closed in w . km Deer Mtn ESTES 7 Mount Chapin 1.5 2.4 1814 553 02 . mi Chasm Falls (from winter gate) 2.2 3.5 640 195 . mi Lake Estes . km . km S . mi Mount Chiquita (no trail) 2.4 3.9 2429 740 loop . km PARK To Crystal Lake 7.7 12.4 2980 908 Beaver Lyons and Mountain Boulder Deer Mountain 3.0 4.8 1083 330 10 1 Beaver Upper Beaver 1 Mountain Meado s Winter B Gate S Deer Mountain Loop 10.3 16.6 1083 330 . mi oop . km 07 Gem Lake 1.7 2.7 830 253 To Lawn Lake 6.3 10.1 2249 685 Beaver Meado s Lily Lake Longs Peak Bear ake Road isitor enter Marys ake and Wild Basin Ypsilon Lake 4.5 7.2 2180 664 to Moraine Park Road S (winter only) Park & Ride and Ypsilon Mountain (no trail) 3.5 5.6 2874 876 Bear Lake
All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.