Odessa Lake Hike (RMNP) with K&C

Christina and Kevin are back (well, at least for Halloween 2022)! Join us for one of our favorite RMNP hikes to Helene and Odessa. If you've never hiked to Odessa Lake, you're missing out on one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most beloved gems!

With backdrops rivaling scenes from Switzerland (especially the Little Matterhorn at Odessa Lake), this 8-mile round-trip hike won't disappoint.

We start at Bear Lake, hop off trail at the 3-mile mark for a peek at lovely Lake Helene, and continue on to Odessa Lake with amazing views in all directions. A full overview of the trail can be found here courtesy of ProTrails. (http://www.protrails.com/trail/52/rocky-mountain-national-park-odessa-lake)

Distance: About 8.3 miles R.T.
Elevation: 9,475' - 10,055' (about 1,912' total round-trip elevation gain)
Dogs: No
Difficulty: Moderate

Weather:

Old man winter is on his way back. There may be some snow already by the 29th.

What to bring:

This is the time of year where many people's backpacks are ill-prepared for the transition to winter weather. Be sure to bring a fleece, a rain jacket, a WARM hat, and gloves. Also remember a lunch and adequate water as well. There may be some snow, so traction devices like microspikes are a good idea.

Carpool info and departure times:

(5-minute wait. Please be on time. If you carpool, please remember to bring cash and contribute for gas as appropriate for the distance.)

6:10 a.m. Depart Fort Collins - JJ's Corner Market (https://www.google.com/maps/place/4015+S+Taft+Hill+Rd,+Fort+Collins,+CO+80526/@40.5314672,-105.1158496,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x87694bfac642717b:0x26c1bbbe71410415) (meet on the east side of the parking lot bordering Taft Hill Rd); drive to meet the rest of the group in Loveland.

6:30 a.m. Depart Loveland - Jax (formerly KMart) (https://www.google.com/maps/place/2665+W+Eisenhower+Blvd,+Loveland,+CO+80537/@40.4085802,-105.1113078,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x87695231801c94a5:0x5999560e1b776fbc) (meet in the SE corner of the Kmart parking lot on Wilson and Hwy 34.)

7:45 a.m. - Depart trail-head