RMNP Advice

Hi folks, me and my climbing partner are heading out from the UK in july to do some of the routes in RMNP and would appreciate a bit of advice. Best pass for 10 days? Can we get good hiking maps in the park? Are areas going to be shut because of the fire risk (Grepon and Lumpy ridge?)? Do areas get closed due to raptors and is this info easy to access? How easy is it to get a bivy permit? Any trouble from bears at the base of Grepon/Sharkstooth? Many thanks in advance for any advice.
KB

Either pay the entrance pass twice (good for a week) or by a RMNP year pass (not sure which option is cheaper). Or just do everything backcountry in one week... you don't need a pass for Lumpy Ridge.

Look for National Geographic maps if you want one map that shows everything. Buy USGS quad maps for the area if you want more detail.

Fires... can't predict now. That can change in a second.

nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/… info about Lumpy raptor closures.

Bivy permits are easy as long as it isn't the weekend. Weekends are CROWDED.

I've not seen bears up high in glacier gorge, but renting a bear canister isn't a bad idea because then you don't have to worry about rodents in your stuff while you're climbing.

Hope it helps.

Individual Entrance Fees

Automobile: $20 - Valid for seven consecutive days, including date of purchase.... Valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. Available at all Rocky Mountain National Park entrance stations.

Passes (Identification may be requested to verify proper use)

Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass--A $40 pass which provides unlimited entry to this park for one year from the date of purchase. Available at all Rocky Mountain National Park entrance stations or purchase by credit card on-line at nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/….

If you are seriously tight for money, climb routes outside the fee entrance areas or go in early before there are rangers at the entrance stations (~7a?).

There are definitely raptor issues on some crags at Lumpy (e.g. Twin Owls, Rock One, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sheep Mountain, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Lightning Rock, Checkerboard Rock, & Alligator Rock). Most of these are posted on MP.com, too. No fees to climb at Lumpy. Approaches are 30-75 minutes.

You have to get bivy permits in person at least a day before you go. These are usually available at the backcountry office, near the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Note, there's a bit of construction going on with the Bear Lake Rd. It'll affect driving at a minimum during the normal tourist hours.

Bears and bear-proof cans, they'll have regulations for areas where there is significant risk. They are required for some parts of RMNP backcountry. Petit Grepon and Sharkstooth are both generally doable in a day without a bivy.

Fire risk, these can start at any point. Yesterday, there were at least 4 new fires that started up. The current fire on the western side of RMNP (over the continental divide) is supposed to be nearly contained.

Hiking maps can be purchased in Estes Park easily. Estes Mountain Shop and other hiking shops in town will have them for sale.

You might check out "Smokin' Dave's" (crowded) for tasty BBQ or "Peppers" for less expensive burritos. For "Smokin' Dave's", sometimes they run an ad with a discount in the free Estes newspaper.

Have fun!

I second 'smokin' dave's'

Pro-tip (I've never actually done, but am always jealous of when I'm standing in line) - Call ahead and order the takeout.

You are not required to have a bear canister if you are bivvying only if your backcountry camping. Bears don't really venture past 10,000 ft. I would definitely not worry about bears around the base of the Grepon/Sharkstooth. Sometimes marmots can try and get into your food though.

Depending on what level of climbers you are you may also want to look into climbing at Hallet Peak and Longs Peak (The Diamond). It is free to drive up to the Longs Peak TH parking area and bivy permits are pretty easy to obtain. These two peaks offer some of Colorado's most classic alpine routes that any visiting Brit needs to check out!

Regarding Parks Pass...if you purchase your bivy permit at the backcountry office (outside park entrance) the day prior to hiking in, then you drive through the entrance gate before 7am to hike/climb, no one will be there to check pass/collect fee. In this case, you need not worry about purchasing a pass.