Rocky Mountain NP: North Inlet / Tonahutu Creek Loop Trail Trip Plan
August 2011
The North Inlet/Tonahutu Creek Loop trail Overview
The North Inlet-Tonahutu Creek loop is a 26-mile (42-kilometer) trail that gives you spectacular alpine scenery. We started at the North Inlet trailhead, and hiked to North Inlet Falls. We stayed there 2 nights, so we didn't miss the side hike off the North Inlet Trail to Lakes Nokoni and Nanita. Nanita reflects Ptarmigan Mountain and Andrews Peak off in the distance. Next we hiked through to the summit of Flattop Mountain. There were numerous backcountry sites to pump water along the way (Twinberry, Ptarmigan and July, just to name a few). From the summit of Flattop, where you are going to get some great photos of snow topped mountains (even in August), you descend past Big Meadows and Granite Falls all the way back to the North Inlet trailhead. In between, we hit the Haynach campsite, where I walked barefoot in a mountain surrounded meadow that was out of a movie. It sucked climbing the steep mile to get there (after a 10 mile doozey) but it was certainly worth it.
You'll travel through 5,000+ feet of elevation gain and a number of different ecosystems, including subalpine forest and alpine tundra, drinking spring water along the way and seeing the occasional bull elk staring you in the face while he grazes. Definitely a classic hike.
Full Trip Plan
- Sunday 8/21
- Fly from Newark to Denver, rent a car and drive to Estes Park, Co where we will stay at a local hotel for the night.
- Rent 2 bear canisters
- Monday 8/22
- Drive to RMNP Tonahutu / North Inlet Trailhead
- Hike to North Inlet Falls Camp
- Tuesday 8/23
- Day hike to Lake Nakone and Lake Nanita and back
- Camp second night at North Inlet Falls Camp
- Wednesday 8/24
- Hike to North Inlet Falls Camp
- Thursday 8/25
- Drive to Longs Peak Ranger Station
- Hike to Goblin
- Friday 8/26
- Hike to Boulderfield Camp **
- Saturday 8/27
- Climb Longs Peak **
- Descend to Ranger Station
- Drive to RMNP Estes Park, Co where we will stay at a local hotel for the night.
- Sunday 8/28
- Drive to Denver airport
- Fly from Denver to Newark
**Due to Hurricane, we bagged Long's peak and high tailed it back to Jersey a full day early. Hopefully I can get back and do it soon.
Requirements
- Bear Canister
- Rent bear canisters (required, $5/day) at Never Summer Mountain Products. 919 Grand Lake Ave., Grand Lake. (970) 627-3642
- You can pretty much rent these at any outdoor store out there.
- Permits
- Permits are required on the loop. $20/person/trip.
- Reserve by phone (970-586-1242) March 1 to May 15.
- Reserve by mail or in person May 16 to October 1.
- Maps
- Trails Illustrated Rocky Mountain NP ($12, natgeomaps.com)
- You will be able to pick these up at the Ranger Stations. They also have them at the local REI.
- Also they will give you photocopied 2 and three sheeters with your permit. These are very helpful as they have more accurate milage and some better directions for some areas.
Additional Important Information
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Visitor Information:
970.586.1206
- Visitor Information:
- Backcountry Office:
- 970.586.1242
- Campground Reservations:
- 800.365.2267
- Emergency Dispatch:
- 970.586.1203
Gear List
As far as gear is concerned, this is a non technical hike, so your basic trekking gear list should suffice. If you go during the summer months, you won't have to worry about a lot of clothes or outter wear. Just throw some clothes in a pack with a tent, a bag, and some food and you're all set.
Here is the Gear List I used for this trip if you want an idea of what you might want to bring.
