Green Mountain Trail-Rocky Mountain National Park

When we chose to get married in early July we totally didn’t think about the fact that it would coincide with America’s Independence Day, therefore if we wanted to do anything camping related on our anniversary in years to come it would be crazy go nuts everywhere in the US, whoops. Since the National Park campsites fill up super quick and the NPS reservation website sometimes leaves a bit to be desired (that’s about the nicest way I can think of to say that), we were unable to secure a campsite in advance for this short trip in July of 2024. We decided to take a gamble and try to obtain a first come first served site at a campground just outside the park. Our flight arrived in the middle of the night (always check the “red eye” flights, it’s a great way to save a buck) and as we drove to a hotel for a couple hours of sleep, I hopped online and at least nabbed a timed entry ticket for Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are planning any trips to the national parks I would suggest checking out our resources page and grabbing the rec.gov app to have the best chance of getting timed entry tickets since the app works better than the website.

After a VERY brief sleep, a quick greasy spoon diner breakfast, and a look at the map we headed towards the park and kept our fingers crossed we would be able to find a campsite. Mind you this was July 3rd around 9am on the biggest camping holiday eve of the year, what were we thinking? By some stroke of anniversary luck, the first campground we went to Olive Ridge had ONE site that was JUST vacated that we were able to secure for the three nights we would be in the area. You can probably tell by the picture we were pretty jazzed about that.

Since we were able to get a timed entry ticket for noon we had just enough time after setting up camp to run to the nearby town of Estes Park to gather supplies and then head into the park proper. We arrived at the Beaver Meadows entrance, checked out the visitor center and housed some PB&J’s in the parking lot straight out of the trunk like true dirt bag car campers and proceeded to drive trail ridge road to the second visitor center. The Alpine Ridge visitor center was the bigger of the two with all kinds of things to buy, exhibits, food, maps, etc. We chatted with a lovely gentleman ranger who helped us decide on a good intro hike based on where we were in the park and the fact that on our first day “in country” we were still adjusting to the elevation. Coming from Michigan which in comparison to the Rockies is a veritable pancake, we had to get used to five digit elevations. We were not alone, we watched passers-by purchasing tiny single serving oxygen assist mechanisms complete with tiny oxygen masks to give a boost when feeling light headed. I selected a topographical map bandana which I think fits my level of nerdery best, I really like maps, and we escaped the madness of the shopping area.

The hike we decided on was the Green Mountain trail because we had already driven all the way over to the west side of the park and upon the ranger’s advice most of the hikes we would likely want to check out would be on the opposite side near Wild Basin. The relatively short hike we did here wound through an old burn site where wildfires had scorched the landscape just four years prior. Since there are/were trees here, that tells us this is a montane area of the ecosystem. Montane is categorized as below 9,000’ of elevation and trees can survive here. Subalpine areas are from 9,000-11,400’ and Alpine is above 11,400’ which is where everything is frozen eight months out of the year and no trees grow. The Alpine area only has a six week growing season. The scene was one of surprising beauty, the dark twisted remains of the forest with lush new green and a rainbow of wildflowers reached up to meet the big blue sky.

The wildflowers and fungi along the way were a wonder to observe. The resilience and rebirth of the forest/plant life was incredible and it seemed that the variety of flowers around every bend were never ending. Although wildfires can be devastating, they also offer renewed growth which was evident along the green mountain trail. This does not mean you should forget about fire safety and go grab some matches to play with. Smokey the bear is always going to be right, only YOU can prevent forest fires and you should be ever watchful to preserve our precious planet. Even though this was not a steep hike by any means, my lungs begged to differ and continually reminded me I was closer to the clouds than I was back home. Luckily we did not suffer any bloody noses but we were definitely glad to have taken it easy for the first hike in the park.

We had a little sit and snack as we watched big meadow’s grass flow like water in the wind. This out and back was only about four miles total but as always, we took our day packs with snacks, water, first aid and layers. The wind in the Rockies can blow up to 150mph and the tundra stays frozen for 8 months out of the year. All this to say, even in July it gets a bit chilly in the shade so one would be wise to carry a long sleeve layer in a pack or tied around your waist for when the cold winds blow.

This little gem of a rock (see what I did there?) was hidden in the exact spot we decided to scramble over to for our sit and snack. The Green Mountain trail is a part of the continental divide and I am guessing a thru-hiker left this little gift on the trail, or someone else left it as encouragement to all passing adventurous spirits.

We headed back to the little roller skate of a rental we somehow ended up in and drove the long road back out of the park. You can read about how that roller skate actually saved the day here. I know I sound disparaging but it actually turned out to be exactly what we needed in the end, it was just hard to understand at the moment since it sounded as if a lone hamster running on its wheel was all that was powering the engine as we crawled up the steep mountain roads.

The drive back offered gorgeous mountain views along with smatterings of elk lounging in the tundras just off the edge of the road. The Alpine Visitor Center sits at 11,796’ and the wind whips without bias. I was putting on and taking off my long sleeves constantly as we went from one elevation to the next. You can see snow on the ground even in July as this area is above alpine level. The highest point on the road through the park is 12,183’ and is located just before the Alpine Visitor Center. As we have noted in other national park experiences, there is always an option for your individual abilities, whether its a short hike, a drive and a quick stop at a pull off for a photo or an extended back country feat of superhuman ability, there is something for everyone.

We exited the park and drove the short way back to our miracle find of a campsite, inhaled a quick dinner and went to bed early to catch up on some much needed sleep. Our first 24 hours in Rocky Mountain National park were shaping up to be another grand adventure, and we were there for it.