Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Big Meadows

Big Meadows is a large open area in the Tonahutu Creek drainage on the west
side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The approach is on a wide trail through dense forest.
Distance: 1.8 miles one-way

Meadow elevation: 9,400 feet

Trailhead elevation: 8,800 feet

Net elevation gain: 600 feet

Green Mountain Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Big Meadows
The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Big Meadows to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)
Major Trail Landmarks
Junction of Tonahutu Creek and Green Mountain Trails (1.8 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Big Meadows
Granite Falls (5.2 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Tonahutu Creek Trail
Backcountry Campsites Near Big Meadows
Big Meadows [PDF Link] - (1.9 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 9,400' - 1 group site
Sunset [PDF Link] - (3.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 9,550' - 1 individual site
Sunrise [PDF Link] - (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 9,600' - 1 individual site
South Meadow [PDF Link] - (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 9,360' - 1 individual site
The Green Mountain Trailhead is on the west side of the Continental Divide between Grand Lake and
Milner Pass. Follow Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) either 3 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor
Center or 14 miles south of Milner Pass. The trailhead parking area is on the east side of the highway.

The Green Mountain Trail heads east through dense forest from the trailhead. After a long uphill stretch, the trail
heads downhill briefly to the west end of Big Meadows. Big Meadows can also be reached from the Tonahutu
Creek Trail, or as part of a loop trail connecting the Green Mountain and Onahu Creek Trailheads.
Sample photographs of the hike to Big Meadows
Green Mountain Trailhead
Moose in Big Meadows
West side of Big Meadows
Cabin ruins at Big Meadows
Big Meadows topographic map
Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail/route marked by dashed red line.
Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

USGS Quad Map: Grand Lake - Latitude: 40.312 deg. N - Longitude: 105.809 deg. W
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