Rocky Mountain National Park: Timber Lake and Mount Ida
Summit a lesser-traveled 13,000-foot peak, then catch some summer alpine fishing at Timber Lake on this 13.4-mile out-and-back.
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Forget the 14er crowds. Mount Ida, one of the least-visited peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, falls just shy of 13,000 feet and offers a real chance to experience backcountry seclusion. What this overnight trip lacks in extra altitude it makes up for in sheer strenuousness and stunning scenery.
Take the Timber Creek Trail southeast. Follow the well-maintained, dirt path for 9 miles, climbing more than 2,000 feet, to the Rockslide Campsite near Timber Lake. Be sure to pack light and warm. Summer temperatures can drop below freezing at night.
If you remember to bring your fishing pole, wake up early to catch (and release) some trout before scrambling up the saddle. Aside from the unprecedented workout you’ll get along the way, massive views await at the summit. The Continental Divide stretches beneath your feet. Never Summers sit to the west. Gorge Lakes lie in the valley below. Grand Lake and Big Meadows are visible to the southwest.
Retrace your steps down the mountain, through the saddle, and back onto the Timber Creek Trail. Make sure to save energy when you bag this peak. Otherwise your quads might hurt more from the long descent back than from the climb up!
INFO For information on permits, current trail and camp conditions, and wilderness guidelines, go to nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm
PERMIT A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping in the backcountry. Reservations accepted ($20 administrative fee for permits during peak season). nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backcntry_guide.htm
CONTACT Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 586-1206; nps.gov/romo
-Mapped by MacKenzie Ryan and Patrick Digmann





















Trail Facts
- Distance: 21.5
Waypoints
MTI001
Location: 40.399767, -105.847263
Parking lot is across the street from the Colorado River Trailhead. Take the Timber Creek Trail south through an aspen grove. Enjoy this short, flat section because it is the only one you’ll have on the entire trip.
MTI002
Location: 40.394459, -105.841675
Marked by a group of small boulders, the first lookout on the Timber Lake Trail doesn’t offer much in terms of scenery. You can only see forest and more forest through a tiny clearing, but this spot does give you a chance to catch your breath.
MTI003
Location: 40.378737, -105.834024
First small bridge. Timber Creek runs alongside the trail (thus the name) and decreases in size and speed as you get closer to Timber Lake.
MTI004
Location: 40.370991, -105.823479
Second small bridge over Timber Creek.
MTI005
Location: 40.370663, -105.821899
In case you started late on a Friday, this is the first backcountry campsite on the trail.
MTI006
Location: 40.374928, -105.810914
Bear left at the Y-junction. Long Meadows Trail veers off to the right.
MTI007
Location: 40.374994, -105.810227
Third small bridge over Timber Creek.
MTI008
Location: 40.376628, -105.807867
Jackstraw Campsite is the second available backcountry campground on the trail. It is more crowded than Rockslide, which is further ahead near Timber Lake.
MTI009
Location: 40.379489, -105.804434
Fourth bridge over Timber Creek. If you bushwhack a few feet off trail, you’ll notice why the upcoming campsite is called Rockslide. A waterfall cascades down slippery rocks, looking a lot like a rock slide.
MTI010
Location: 40.379562, -105.801613
Rockslide Campsite: Don’t forget your backcountry permit because you likely will encounter a ranger who’ll ask to see it. Also, bring a bear box or hang a bear bag here. Wildlife abound.
MTI011
Location: 40.375795, -105.798211
Timber Lake (11,200 ft.): The water is too cold to swim in no matter how much of a sweat you worked up. Bear left and follow the trail along the east side of the lake. Scramble up the rocky route to the saddle southeast of the lake.
MTI012
Location: 40.368406, -105.79098
The Saddle. Southeast of Timber Lake, you have scrambled and likely clawed your way to this 11,500-foot ridge. An unnamed peak is directly to your right. Look southeast to view Julian Lake and Nakai Peak (12,216 ft.) behind it. Mount Ida is to your left–and still a good, long climb away.
MTI013
Location: 40.371494, -105.7845
False summit. Just when you think the scrambling and climbing is over, there is yet another crest to climb. Continue east, gaining 300 more feet, before reaching the true summit of Mount Ida.
MTI014
Location: 40.372057, -105.778725
The Mount Ida (12,880 feet): You are now standing on top of the Continental Divide. To the east, Gorge Lakes lie in the valley beneath you. Mount Julian and Terra Tomah Mountain form an eastbound ridge to your right. If you look south, you can see all the way to Grand Lake–and the destruction the bark beetle has caused on the west side of the park.
West Side of Timber Lake
Location: 40.37352, -105.795799
©MacKenzie Ryan
Small Bridge
Location: 40.37877, -105.833788
©Patrick Digmann
Hiking along Timber Creek
Location: 40.372829, -105.827843
The climbing seems never-ending on this trail. ©Patrick Digmann
Long Meadows
Location: 40.370613, -105.82057
©MacKenzie Ryan
Jackstraw Campsite
Location: 40.376596, -105.807652
©Patrick Digmann
Great view of the Continental Divide
Location: 40.378786, -105.800722
©MacKenzie Ryan
Rock on Timber Lake
Location: 40.374821, -105.797508
©MacKenzie Ryan
Saddle Behind Timber Lake
Location: 40.374035, -105.796989
As you stand at the northeastern-most point on Timber Lake, take a good, long look at the saddle behind the lake. Though Mount Ida’s summit is not visible, this extends to the right of it. You’ll need to scramble to the top of the saddle in order to access the summit. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Mountains
Location: 40.373155, -105.795293
Mountains surround Timber Lake, creating almost a complete circle. This mountain is on your far right behind the lake. Likely the result of some serious snowmelt, two smaller, unnamed lakes are directly west and southwest of Timber Lake. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Timber Lake
Location: 40.37304, -105.795186
This unnamed peak connects with Mount Ida, forming a saddle. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Timber Lake
Location: 40.37249, -105.79512
©MacKenzie Ryan
Lake View
Location: 40.370083, -105.792809
During one of your necessary breathers, take a moment to look back at Timber Lake. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Columbine
Location: 40.369309, -105.792084
As you scramble up to Mt. Ida’s saddle, you’ll pass gorgeous mountain flowers such as these columbine. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Mount Ida Summit
Location: 40.372073, -105.778732
©MacKenzie Ryan
Big Meadows and Grand Lake
Location: 40.372085, -105.77874
Truly one of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Chief Cheley Peak
Location: 40.3721, -105.778752
©MacKenzie Ryan
Azure Lake
Location: 40.372113, -105.77876
One of the Gorge Lakes. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Never Summer Mountains
Location: 40.372129, -105.778772
One of the few times a year you’ll see the aptly-named Never Summer Mountains without snow cover is mid to late summer. Their granite peaks become exposed, showing off their pinkish color. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Continental Divide
Location: 40.372142, -105.778783
Sundance Mountain and Iceberg Pass can be seen in the distance. ©MacKenzie Ryan
Impressive Rock Formations
Location: 40.374248, -105.79541
©MacKenzie Ryan
Continental Divide
Location: 40.374814, -105.79613
©MacKenzie Ryan