While hiking to Mt Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. For much of this hike you walk along the Continental Divide, so you have panoramic views across the park. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt Ida. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 feet, the entire park stretches out before you.
This hike is much different than many others in Rocky Mountain National Park. You spend very little time below the tree line, so you get sweeping views for most of the hike. And since this is a lesser known hike, you will share the trail with fewer people than many other hikes in the park.
But this is a tough hike. It starts at 10,797 feet and tops out at 12,899 on Mt Ida, so you will really feel the effects of the higher elevation. Expect lots of wind and cold temperatures, even during the summer months. Hikers need to keep a close eye on weather conditions. This is a terrible trail to be caught in a thunderstorm, since you are so exposed.
This is one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. Just come prepared, bring warm clothing, and start early to avoid those typical summer afternoon thunderstorms.
Table of Contents
Continental Divide Trail to Mt. Ida Hiking Stats
Distance: 9.8 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Total Elevation Gain: 3,060 feet
Starting Elevation: 10,797 feet (trailhead)
Highest Elevation: 12,899 (Mt Ida)
Length of Time: 4.5 to 6.5 hours
When to Go: The best time to do this hike is from July through September, when the trail is free of snow. Get updates on trail conditions on the National Park Service website.
Timed Entry Permit: Park Access permit (it does not have to include Bear Lake Road)
Mount Ida Elevation Profile
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
How to Hike Mt Ida
Step-By-Step Trail Guide
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead is located on Highway 34, 4.5 miles southwest of the Alpine Visitor Center.
Park at the small parking lot at Milner Pass/Poudre Lake. This lot can hold approximately 22 cars. We arrived at 7 am on July 1 and got one of the last spaces.
There are two pit toilets here.
The trail starts next to Lake Poudre, on the northern end of the parking lot.
The view from the first part of the trail, looking back at Lake Poudre and the start of the hike.
Hiking to Mt Ida
The trail briefly skirts around the southern end of Lake Poudre and then heads into the trees. This first section of trail is one of the hardest and least exciting sections of the hike. You steadily gain elevation with very little to look at, other than the evergreen forest. But that is about to change.
Just over 0.5 miles into the hike you will arrive at a trail junction. Stay to the right to continue to Mt Ida (follow signs for Mt Ida).
At about 1 mile into the hike, the trail emerges from the trees and the views really open up. To your right are the Never Summer Mountains. Out in front of you, you will be able to see the peak of Mt Ida.
The Never Summer Mountains
Mt Ida is the tallest peak off in the distance.
This photo is taken farther into the hike. Now, you are looking back at the trail and the Never Summer Mountains.
While hiking this trail, it’s possible to see bighorn sheep and elk. We didn’t get so lucky, but there are also quite a few marmots who call this area home.
At this point, you are hiking through subalpine tundra. On the day we did this, the winds were relentless and very strong. We later talked to a park ranger who stated that this is quite normal for this hike.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Even during the summer months, I recommend packing a hat, gloves, and several layers of clothing. The temperature gauge in our car read 37°F at 7:30 am. With the high winds and the high elevation, we experienced freezing temperatures for most of our hike, on July 1.
For the most part, it is a steady uphill hike to get to Mt Ida, with a few nice downhill sections.
The hardest part of the hike is the final summit of Mt Ida. This climb starts 3.5 miles into the hike. You will steadily climb up through a field of boulders. There is a faint trail to follow, but you will really have to pay attention, because it is sketchy at times.
Tim hiking up through the boulder field.
This part of the hike is hard. By this point, you have already been hiking for several hours, battling the wind and the altitude, so you will feel fatigued at this point. Take your time and stop to take a break when you need it.
But once up on top of Mt Ida, all of your effort pays off. The views are astonishing and this was one of my favorite views after six days of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
From the top of Mt Ida, you have 360° views of RMNP. To the west are the Never Summer mountains. To the north is the Mummy mountain range and Trail Ridge Road. To the southeast you can see Longs Peak. To the southwest is Grand Lake. And just below Mt Ida is Inkwell Lake and Azure Lake.
Panorama from the summit of Mt Ida.
The view south from Mt Ida.
Trail Ridge Road runs along the peaks off in the distance.
On the day we did this, miraculously, there was very little wind on top of Mt Ida. We took our photos, ate an early lunch, and watched the marmots scurrying around the rocks (don’t feed the wildlife…this is part of the seven principles of Leave No Trace).
To get back to your car, retrace your steps. It’s a mostly downhill walk back to the trailhead, but the few short uphill climbs along the way add up to about 475 feet of elevation gain on the return hike.
One of the great things about this hike are the incredible views. I think that the views are better on the walk back to Milner Pass than on the way to Mt Ida. Some out-and-back hikes can be boring on the way back, repeating the same views, but not this one. Plus, now that it is mostly downhill walk, it is easier to enjoy those spectacular views.
If you look closely, you can see the trail heading across the plateau.
Tips to Have the Best Experience
Start the hike early, ideally by 7 am. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are common, typically occurring at 2 pm. You need to be below the tree line by 2 pm.
Do not expect your cell phone to work. During most of this hike we had no cellular service (this also goes for the drive along Highway 34). There were a few spots here and there where we got a few bars of LTE or 3G, just enough to send a text message. The best cellular service was on top of Mt Ida. Don’t depend on your phone to call for help, talk to friends, or send photos to friends and family.
Be prepared to turn around early. If weather conditions change and you see approaching thunderstorms, be prepared to end your hike before you reach Mt Ida. Your safety is more important than making it to the lake.
If you are not acclimated to the altitude, this is not a good first hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The long distance, elevation gain, and altitude make this a tough hike. If you have not already spent time in Colorado adjusting to the altitude, I recommend that you spend at least two days acclimating to the higher elevation.
If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer months, you will need to reserve a timed entry permit. Learn more here.
Trail updates. As you plan your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, and just before doing this hike, check the National Park Service website for updates on trail and road closures.
What to Bring on the Hike
Hiking shoes. Don’t do this hike in anything other than hiking shoes or hiking boots.
Hiking poles. Hiking poles take the stress off of your legs and help to ease leg pain and fatigue.
Water and snacks. At least 3 liters of water in the summer.
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. For much of the hike you will be above the trees, in direct sunlight.
Camera. Even a smartphone will do. For great photos of the Never Summer mountains and the views from the top of Mt Ida, use the panorama feature of your smartphone.
Warm clothing. Bring a hat and gloves. A rain jacket or windbreaker is great for this hike. And wear several layers of clothing, even in the summer.
If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.
If you have any questions about hiking to Mt Ida, let us know in the comment section below. Happy hiking!!
More Information about Colorado
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For an overview of Rocky Mountain National Park and links to all of our RMNP articles, take a look at our Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best hikes in the park, and how to plan the perfect itinerary.
HIKES IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: In our Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Guide, learn about the top hikes to do in the park. We also have detailed guides on Sky Pond, Deer Mountain, Emerald and Dream Lakes, the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, and Chasm Lake.
COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives.
NATIONAL PARKS IN COLORADO: In our guide to the National Parks in Colorado, learn about all 4 national parks: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde.
MORE GREAT HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS: From hikes to the tallest peaks to beautiful coast trails, read our Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks.
Are you planning a trip through the United States? Read all of our articles about the USA in our United States Travel Guide. You can also see all of our articles about Colorado in our Colorado Travel Guide.
All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Comments 4
Nice write-up with a lot of good information and photos. I live in Colorado and have done Mt Ida many times, including a few backpack trips in the Gorge Lakes (the drainage below Mt. Ida). I’d like to point out a couple of errors with the captions in two of your photos.
One photo refers to the large lake south of Mt Ida as Grand Lake. Actually, you can’t see Grand Lake itself from Ida. In fact you are looking at two lakes. The closest is Shadow Mountain Reservoir and the second is Lake Granby. Both are much larger than Grand Lake, which is blocked from view and left of Shadow Mtn Reservoir.
There are also a couple of errors are in the caption of the very next photo down. You label the lakes in that photo as Azure and Inkwell. Actually, Azure and Inkwell are the two frozen lakes within the Gorge Lakes basin in the panorama photo you took from the summit of Mt. Ida. The lakes you mislabeled as Azure and Inkwell are actually two ponds in the large basin innediately north of the Gorge Lakes basin. You also say you can see Alpine Ridge Road in the distance of that photo. The correct name of the road is Trail Ridge Road.
Other than these minor errors, you did a great job reviewing what I agree is one of the better hikes in RMNP.
Thanks for your writeup.
Author
Thanks so much for all of the corrections! Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
Regarding Mt. Ida, my group could not handle the full 9+ miles. But it sounds like at a mile in the sweeping views emerge. Would you recommend this hike if we could only do 2.5 miles in (5 total)?
Also, when are Earth Trekker t-shirts coming out?!?
Thanks for all your trail guidance.
Author
Hello Roy. That’s funny you mention T-shirts…Kara does graphic design and she has been working on some merchandise for us.
I think the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a better hike if you want a shorter hike. The Ute Trail has great views for the entire hike and the views are similar to what you get on the Continental Divide Trail. It’s 4 miles out and back but you can cut this one short and still get the great views. Plus, it’s mostly flat. To hike the Continental Divide Trail, the first part is uphill through the trees and not a whole lot of fun. But yes, around the 1 mile point you get to see the Never Summer Mountains. Take a look at the photos from the Ute Trail and then should help you make your decision.
Happy hiking and maybe we will have some T-shirts out soon. 😊 Cheers, Julie