Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Ute Trail at Ute Crossing A great option for a fairly-level trail with expansive views of RMNP and an up-close look at the alpine tundra. Summer wildlfowers and wildlife are common along this section of trail.

Distance: 6.5 miles one-way from Ute Crossing to Beaver Meadows, but this trail is typically not hiked end to end. Trailhead elevation: 11,440 feet Ute Crossing Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

Hayden Gorge from the Ute Trail

The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Ute Crossing to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)

Ute Crossing Trailhead is on the east side of the Continental Divide along Trail Ridge Road. The trailhead is not marked with the typical RMNP trailhead signs and offers very limited parking. The reach the trailhead, travel on Trail Ridge Road to a point about 2 west of Rainbow Curve. The trail starts in the alpine tundra section of Trail Ridge Road, so vehicle access is seasonal, typically late May to mid-October. From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge below the ridgeline of Tombstone Ridge. After about 2 miles, the trail passes by Timberline Pass and begins a long, steep descent to Beaver Meadows. Most hikers opt to turn around at or before this point and return to their vehicle at the Ute Crossing Trailhead.

Sample photographs of the hike on the Ute Trail

First part of the trail at Ute Crossing

Wildflowers and Terra Tomah Mountain

View from first mile of the trail

Elk grazing near the trail

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.