RMNP: Continental Divide to Mt Ida Morning Hike

HIKE DESCRIPTION: While hiking to Mt Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. For much of this hike you walk along the Continental Divide, so you have panoramic views across the park. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt Ida. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 feet, the entire park stretches out before you.
This hike is much different than many others in Rocky Mountain National Park. You spend very little time below the tree line, so you get sweeping views for most of the hike.
Most likely we will encounter some snow patches for the first mile of the hike but nothing that would defer us from continuing with it. Microspikes and hiking poles are recommended. DOGS are NOT allowed in RMNP.

HIKE STATS: Difficulty: Hard. Distance: 9.8 miles. Elevation gain: 2,411 feet. Highest elevation: 12,899 feet (Mt Ida)
ALL TRAILS: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-ida-trail

MEETING UP: We will park at the parking lot at Milner Pass/Poudre Lake for the hike. The parking lot is very small and holds roughly 22 cars. We will meet up at Estes Park Visitor Parking Garage at 5:30 am and carpool from here. You have an option of meeting us at the trailhead at 6:30am.

TIMED ENTRY PERMIT: To get an access to the park, we need a daily ticket (per car, can be purchased at the ticket booth) or America The Beautiful Pass (could be purchased at the ticket booth or online). We don't need a timed entry pass as we are entering the park before 9am. I have America The Beautiful pass.

IMPORTANT: Please, review the group bio for what you should bring to the hike and other important information. MICROSPIKES AND HIKING POLES ARE RECOMMENDED on this hike. We wait 5 minutes for late arrive to be considerate to those arriving on time.