Old Fall River Road - RMNP

Since I was getting ready to go after my 20 mile in one day goal in just a few days, today,  I was looking for a snowshoe hike somewhere close, someplace I had not been, and that wouldn't be too terribly hard or long.  I found that in the Old Fall River Road up in Rocky Mountain National Park.  In the 15 years we've been in Colorado, we have not been up the Old Fall River Road or visited Chasm Falls.  The road was severely damaged in the September 2013 flood and was closed to cars for the 2014 season.  Several people we know have been up the road in the summer and fall and have remarked about how beautiful it is there. So, I decided; ah why not.

I drove up fairly early, parked at the Lawn Lake Trailhead and hit the road to the Endovalley picnic area and the Old Fall River Road gate about 900a.  The day started overcast, windy, and with some light snow showers.  Early on the road was a mixture of ice, snow, and mud.  No snowshoes required.  About halfway to Endovalley, across the meadow was a group of stag Elk.  I had to take pictures with my lens fully telescoped, but it was pretty cool.  

Stag Elk

Darn Magpie

When I was younger and living in Darlington, Idaho I learned that Magpies were a complete nuisance. Upon some closer examination, I saw that they are still a nuisance even for bull Elk (note the Magpie on the rightmost Elk in the image above)

Once I reached the gate, I was officially on the Old Fall River Road and the climb began.  Not a steep climb but a steady and consistent one.  After about a quarter mile I looked back and saw the Fall River Valley and Deer Mountain from a new perspective.

Now I was on the chug to Chasm Falls which I estimated would be a bit less than a mile away.  About half-way to Chasm Falls, I decided there was enough snow and put on the snowshoes.  That was a good plan.  Obviously Chasm Falls was frozen and after looking at it in the winter, I decided I would need to visit in the summer too.  I think they will be pretty neat.

Now came the long climb up the valley toward Mount Chapin to the North and Sundance Mountain to the South.   Snow, more snow ...

Snow and more snow

Eventually the trees thinned out and the views of Mount Chapin and Sundance Mountain were well worth the climb.

Mt Chapin - East slope

Mt Chapin

Mt Chapin - 12438 ft

South side of valley

Since it was Tuesday, I needed to make sure I was back home by four o'clock.  That meant I needed to be back at the trailhead by 230p.  It was getting close to the turn around point, which I decided would be six miles or noon, whichever came first.  Six Miles came at 11:45, so I turned around and headed back.  By this time the sun was coming out and the snow was getting a bit soft, so I thought turning around and getting out of the snowfield was probably a good idea too.

This turned out to be a really fun snowshoe hike with lots a good scenery, good exercise, and on a good day (by about 11a the weather had decided to clear).  If the road is open this year, it will be a good summer day trip.

Length: 12.1 miles

Starting Elevation:  8569 ft

Maximum Elevation: 9891 ft

Start Time: 856 am,  End Time: 214 p,  Duration:  5 hours 17 minutes

Average Grade: 4.17%

Average Speed: 2.3 mph

Date of Hike:  February 10, 2015