Mount Ida via Poudre Lake Trailhead

Elevation: 12,889 Ft.

Elevation Gain: 2,465 Ft.

Roundtrip Distance: 9.6 Miles

Before I knew the sweet taste of Colorado, much before it taught me to remain happily lost amidst its grandeur, and back when living here was still a fantasy, this hike is what I imagined Colorado to be.

The weather forecast showed low winds and no thunderstorm potential which meant it was the perfect day to summit Mount Ida.  I filled my pack with snacks, water, and a few layers and began my drive to  Poudre Lake Trailhead via Trail Ridge Road. This drive is always pleasurable with the early morning sun meeting the mountain tops.  

The trail quickly leads you into fir and spruce forest and up multiple switchbacks for about one mile until you reach the expansive Alpine tundra.  These mountains are home to vast wildlife like Bighorn Sheep, Elk, and Ptarmigan. The slopes along the way are littered with alpine and subalpine flowers including Bluebell Bellflowers, Alpine Avens, Alpine forget-me-nots, Purple Fringe, and Old-man-of-the-mountain — the scent of happiness!

After the 3.5 mile trek above treeline, you’ll make your way to the rocky summit of Mount Ida. Lucky enough to share the summit with nobody but a few Marmots and Pikas,  I was rewarded with breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Continental Divide Mountains, and the Never Summer Mountains.

To access the Poudre River Trailhead, take Trail Ridge Road from the Beaver Meadows Entrance for approximately 26 miles until you reach the Milner Pass parking lot on your left.  Allow yourself about an hour to get there. Arrive early at the trailhead as there is very limited parking.

Tip 1: Start early to avoid afternoon Thunderstorms.

Tip 2: After finishing the hike, drive over to Grand Lake and enjoy a fantastic sandwich at Cy’s Deli.