2021 RMNP Trip?

[Scubachris]

So, was planning to do a Rocky Mountain NP trip next centered on Grand Lake. Looks like they got hit pretty hard by the East Troublesome fire but I’m not sure if this would impact trip quality next year? Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

[RSerendipity]

Most of the Fire is contained but impacts to the Park have continued. They started to open some areas of the Park. I attached a link to the Official Fire Information site page of the East Troublesome Fire. Many good videos & Links. You do not need a Facebook account to view

https://www.facebook.com/EastTrouble...ons&__tn__=K-R

[F350guy]

We were in Estes Park from September 9 to October 9 and left before things got dicey. We did not get over to Grand Lake this year as usual because of the virus but the west side of the park has been a fire waiting to happen for quite some time. The beetle kill of the pine trees seemed to be a lot more severe on that side of the park and the dead timber outnumbered the living trees by far it appeared. I'm not sure what parts have burned but the parts that did will be pretty stark for a while.

The Fern Lake fire came thru an area around Cub Lake in 2014. We hike the Cub Lake trail from its trailhead to the Fern Lake trailhead every year we are there, including this year. It has been amazing to watch the recovery nature accomplishes in the burned area. It is still noticeable but has really started to green up in the past few years, especially the Aspens.

There won't be much of a recovery in the burned area for quite a while but I think there is still a lot left untouched, especially on the east side. We have already made our month's reservation for next September and will just make the best of it. I'm sure Grand Lake will be open for business no matter the fire because I don't think the town itself was affected.

[Scubachris]

Thanks for the input! I reached out to Grand Lake city via FB and they responded right away on a Saturday! They advised the town itself is fine, area neighborhoods were hit hard. They did express some concern for trail conditions and safety. We are going to do a few days there (we hope) and then some more in Steamboat area.

CB