RMNP - Fern, Odessa, Spruce, Cub Lakes Hike - 13-14 miles & 2700-3000 ft elev gn

SUNDAY: DINNER & OVERNIGHT LODGING
MONDAY: EARLY MORNING HIKE
See details below.

READ THIS before signing up. Timed entry permits are needed and carpool is required. I am lodging the night before so we can get an early start. If I do not get enough volunteers to purchase timed entry permits on May 1, then I WILL MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF CONFIRMED AND/OR CONFIRM PEOPLE FROM THE WAITLIST who can get permits. So PLEASE help me out with the permits. See details below.

EVERYONE WILL SIGN UP ON THE WAITLIST AND I WILL CONFIRM PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ATTEND MY HIKES REGULARLY WILL GET PREFERENCE.

DIFFICULTY: about 13-14 miles and about 2,700-3,000 feet elevation gain. This is a self-created trail so mileage and elevation gain are estimated. Please be flexible if you sign up for this hike.

CARPOOL INTO RMNP REQUIRED: We will meet at the Estes Park Parking Structure at 4:30am on Monday and carpool from there. See details below.

RMNP HAS A “TIMED ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM”. Permits for this hike go on sale May 1st at 8 a.m. and each car needs a permit. We will carpool into the park, but the park only allows you to purchase 1 permit per person and permits are non-transferable. So I will need volunteers to commit to going and purchase a timed entry permit so that we have a permit for each carpool vehicle. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, the fee for the permit is only $2. The permit holder does not have to be a carpool driver. We just need a permit holder in each vehicle.

**LODGING: We will be starting very early in the morning…end of June is busy in the park and even though we have timed entry permits, that does not guarantee a parking spot at the trailhead. Therefore, I plan to drive up Sunday and I will be staying at Murphy’s Resort the night before the hike. Here is a link to Murphy’s Resort: https://www.murphysresort.com**
However you may stay at any hotel of your choice…or even camp if you choose.

RESTAURANT SUNDAY AT 4PM: For those interested in meeting for dinner Sunday evening, let’s go to The Wapiti Colorado Pub. We’ve been there a couple times and everyone enjoyed it. Since we will be getting up early for the hike, let’s meet at 4 pm at the restaurant. The address is 1350 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517.

**HIKE MONDAY: Beginning at the Cub Lake Trailhead, we will take the Fern Lake Trail to Fern and Odessa Lakes, passing The Pool and Fern Falls on the way. Heading back, we will take the side trail to Spruce Lake (which I’ve never been to before), then take the Cub Lake trail back to the trailhead. We will have spectacular lake and mountain views along this scenic hike. This exact hike is not in alltrails, but here is a link to my self-made alltrails route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/map-january-17-2026-0c810f5?u=i&sh=ittjkn**

DOGS: NO DOGS. RMNP 🚫 does not allow dogs in the park.

CARPOOL AT 4:30AM: Because parking is limited at the trailhead and because we need timed entry passes, we will meet at the Estes Park Parking Structure on Monday morning at 4:30 am and carpool to the Cub Lake Trailhead. The address for the Parking Structure is 691 N. St. Vrain Ave., Estes Park 80157. After parking, let’s meet by the charging stations outside the parking structure (see photo).

**For carpool drivers: To get to the Cub Lake Trailhead, you can click on the following alltrails link above and click directions: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/cub-lake--2**
Or if you use Google maps, you can type in “Cub Lake Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the parking structure.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

**WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.3367&lon=-105.6764**

**REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0**
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.