Backpacking In Rocky Mountain National Park - 50 Mile Loop

Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park has always treated me well, but this 50 mile backpacking loop was different than any of my other trips through the park, mostly due to the weather. Although you only see me getting hailed on in the beginning of the video, I experienced the same thing two other times. Luckily I was below tree line the second time. The third hailstorm was just as scary as the one you saw and I experienced it after coming off of Long's Peak. They predicted that the weather would come early in the afternoon and it hit about 10:30 a.m.. I was definitely thankful that I was well off of Long's before it started. I took shelter under a boulder and didn't feel like filming it.
While the weather was worse on this trip than any other trips I've been on, it couldn't dampen the spirit of the trip. This trip also included more wildlife sightings than I've ever experienced. Not only did I see more wildlife, I saw all the animals much closer than I've experienced before. All of the animals moved right past us, not noticing our presence for a few moments. While moose are my favorite animal, I think the family of deer we saw was the coolest. We were down by the river for a swim and deer were right across the river from us. You could tell they knew something else was in the area, but it took them a few minutes before they saw us sitting on the other side.
I had a lot more footage that I didn't include, but I thought that the clips in here really show the full range of emotions you might experience on a backpacking trip. There's always a piece of me that misses home, but when I'm home I always miss backpacking.
I mention how I thought backpacking was the most ridiculous thing and I still do. I mean it. Backpacking doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Carry more so you can travel shorter distances in less time. People were running the distance we did in two days. However, backpacking is slowly becoming my favorite thing to do. It's inexpensive, educational, and relaxing. I always feel like I've done something worthwhile at the end of my trips. I hope that you feel my account of the trip is worthwhile. As always, I sincerely appreciate any feedback you have for me (good or bad). I'm shocked by the support you all have shown and continue to who me. Thanks! :) - Chris
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[@USNAVDC]

My favorite spot in the world....Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks for your video!

[@inspireAson]

Absolutely! Glad I could share some views from the area with you. Thanks for stopping by to watch. :) - Chris

[@TheoutdooradventureNet]

Nicely done and very easy to watch. Thanks for taking us along Chris.

[@inspireAson]

Thanks, Paul! This one was hard for me to edit for some reason. It seems anymore that when I go out I have high hopes for spending a lot of time with the camera, but then I get out and just want to take it all in. It's always a mix between enjoying the moment and capturing enough to relive the trips later. :) - Chris

[@teec3385]

No matter what part of the world we live the experience of being outdoors on the trail is real food for the soul.!!! Your films capture this perfectly Chris and always enjoy watching them buddy. Thank you my friend..:) Terry.

[@inspireAson]

I 100% agree. We're meant to experience our natural surroundings. :) - Chris

[@msmissy831]

Beautiful scenery! Looked like a great hike

[@inspireAson]

It was a great time Melissa Christel! Have you ever been out to Rocky Mountain National Park? It's a beautiful park. Thanks for watching! :) - Chris

[@msmissy831]

inspireAson I haven't been, but i think it and The Appalachian trail will have to be on my bucket list. You had great music choice too! Really enhanced that much more :D just watched again before replying

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

great video chris! this may be your best one yet! hail storm above the tree line? wow! it seems adversity is the spice of adventure. great job again. - stony

[@inspireAson]

Wow! Thanks Stony. That means a ton coming from you. It was an action packed adventure. I just wish our mileage allowed for more time to stop and smell (shoot) the roses (wildflowers). :) - Chris

[@TheGoatMumbler]

Excellent stuff man. Just makes me want to move to Colorado sooner than we planned.

[@myadventureoutdoors]

Awesome video, you are so fortunate to be there.

[@inspireAson]

Thanks for watching. Glad you liked the video. I've grown quite find of RMNP.

[@longrider42]

I day hike in Rocky, up by Bear Lake. You guys did well. I live at 6200 feet, and hiking in Rocky at 9000+ feet is hard on the body. Even I walk slower. It is a beautiful park but the weather can change on you in minutes. I know I've seen it happen. Good video. Keep on Hiking.

[@inspireAson]

James Hart Thanks for watching James. I feel like anything over 8,000 starts to have an impact. I love life at higher elevations though. There's so much you realize when you're up that high. I'll keep on hiking and you do the same. Deal? ;) I really appreciate your comment. Thanks for stopping by. :) - Chris

[@acet7]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@inspireAson]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and am even happier that you commented. Just watched your restoration of those Tonka trucks. Very cool! Keep up the great work on your channel :) - Chris

[@acet7]

Thank you very much

[@PrimalOutdoors]

I thought it was great video even if you teased us with big pool, lol. We have place here in Oregon called Blue pond it sounds similar to what I imagine that Big pool is like the water is crystal clear and is blue as blue can be but its cold only 36 degrees. I dove into it and came out almost as quick, lol. Anyhow really enjoy your videoing and editing. Jason

[@inspireAson]

Haha, yeah. I think I'll probably do another edit with more shots of Big Pool. Unfortunately that footage just didn't go anywhere (or so I thought) because I ended up deciding that it probably wasn't my safest option for swimming. I've heard of too many people drowning because of cold water temperatures, so I'm always cautious on that front. I didn't mean to let everyone down, but now it seems like I should have seen that coming lol. Look for a "Big Pool" edit, because it was a really cool pool of water. Crank the water temp up to 60 degrees and I would have been having the time of my life. :) - Chris

[@CampfireTalk]

Flat top mountain looks like something out of northern Great Britain. Love the less than perfect weather. Those are the trips I remember most & moments when I really feel alive. Great video

[@inspireAson]

I completely agree with ya on all accounts. I've spent a lot of time in Rocky Mountain National Park, but this was a completely new area (except for the last little stretch) with a whole new feel. The forest in between Sunrise Campground and Big Pool campground was unlike most in this region (perhaps due to the moisture?). It's funny how the hail really sucked at the time, but looking back it was cool thinking about how it moved in. There was a really sweet "Calm before the storm" effect going on. It was a unique trip for me that I won't soon forget. :) - Chris

[@leonyeh]

Wow!!! Awesome video. I felt like I am there. Where do you learn to take such beautiful video. Simply amazing.

[@inspireAson]

Thanks! Glad you like the video. I learned how to shoot videos through lots and lots of practice and have aspirations of becoming even better. I appreciate the encouragement. That's very kind of you. :) - Chris

[@TheCampingCanuck]

great video. thanks for sharing your adventure

[@RonGallimore]

Another great video Chris. Thank you for filming it.

[@inspireAson]

Thanks, for watching Ron! It was a great 4-day adventure. Can't wait to get out and get back to it. :) - Chris

[@hammockrooky]

5:25 'roof needs some work', very funny. I am so happy that I found your channel. I really look forward to your videos and they keep getting better and better, this one being my favorite. The clarity of most of your footage is amazing and the editing with music really impresses. It seems apparent that you know this but please don't take for granted the beauty that surrounds you. Having hiked in the Cascades and Olympics but now live in the Appalachians, I know first hand how beautiful those views are and miss them very much. Your videos help me remember them. Congrats on achieving your climb this time. Thanks!

[@inspireAson]

It's funny that you mention taking the beauty for granted. I grew up in a high desert with nothing but sagebrush as far as the eye could see. At first glance it wasn't impressive but the details are so beautiful. The Rockies definitely impress with face value and the view at 14,000 feet in the United States is incredible! I am still frequently amazed by the scenery. Between sunrise campsite and Big Pool campsite I saw a forest that was unlike any in the area. It blew me away. I'll keep making the most of the beauty. Thanks for the reminder! Thanks for the compliments on the production value and I'm so glad I could show you around the summit. Thanks buddy! :) - Chris

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Very nice. You packed a lot into the hike and the video.

[@inspireAson]

Thanks! It's probably been the best "bang for my buck" trip yet. In four days I experienced a wider range of unique things than I ever have on any other trip. Definitely a trip to remember. Thanks for watching :) - Chris

[@LowryHouse]

Awesome, awesome video man.

[@desert.mantis]

Love your outlook on life, Man.

[@BrosephRussell]

amazing hike that was awesome I want to do a long backpacking trip maybe this year I can . your backpacking trip was so inspiring so beautifull and amazing views

[@mikemathews9277]

Great adventure,wish I could have tagged along.

[@dcordry]

Good job, sir!

[@inspireAson]

Thanks Multi-Tool School! It was a great trip. I did the John Muir Trail last summer and ever since then I've been pushing to go on another long trip. While this one was only 50 miles it was full of great experiences. :) - Chris

[@AndyOnTheMountain]

Epic hike my friend!

[@inspireAson]

Thanks! It was a good one for sure. Now I just have to find a way to do another one soon :)

[@martijnras9176]

you're an amazing person man

[@inspireAson]

Thanks for the compliment. Really, I just like to get outside and make videos. Thanks for stopping by Martijn. :) - Chris

[@martijnras9176]

inspireAson it makes me glad to see that there are people who love nature like I do, to see that someone cares and is able to see the beauty behind every tree, rock or mountain. Nature is all we need, but most of people do not see that, so thank you for doing this, letting people show how lovely nature can be. Respect man.

[@andywickersham5821]

Great video! I hope to do Longs Peak at some point in foreseeable future

[@inspireAson]

Thanks, Andy! I highly recommend Long’s peak. It’s an incredible experience.

[@SueDeutscher]

you are the boss

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

I agree with my brother, an awesome video. I certainly know the feeling of not wanting to film/worry about capturing footage. But I really appreciate the time you did invest. I miss those landscapes so much. I'm grateful to see some of that scenery through your videos. Keep it up. Krik

[@gabrielmartinez8985]

Awesome video, how many days did it take you to get back to Bear Lake? How did you secure the food from bears, did you hang the food? are there poles to hang the food at the camp sites? Thanks for the video :)

[@inspireAson]

+Gabriel Martinez Hi Gabriel, it took us one day to get back to Bear lake. Bear-resistant canisters are required for overnight trips in the park. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris

[@gabrielmartinez8985]

Sorry, i meant to say how many days did it take you to complete the loop? I read somewhere in your comments below, you started your trip at Bear Lake Trail Head, so i was wondering how many days it took you to complete the loop and get back to Bear Lake, where you started.

[@inspireAson]

+Gabriel Martinez 3 nights

[@gabrielmartinez8985]

Thanks man, i will follow your footsteps this summer.

[@corycoreil4184]

Great video man! my brother and I are going backpack there mid august. I was wondering what month you guys went? inspireAson

[@inspireAson]

Cory Coreil Hey Cory, glad you liked the video. Thanks for your comment. We went the last weekend in July. Other than the afternoon thunderstorms, I'd say August is by far the best month to enjoy the park. If you get lucky with weather other months can be good, but August is a pretty safe bet if you're trying to avoid the snow and summit any of the bigger peaks. Hope this helps. :) - Chris

[@My_Names_Not_Nigel]

Where there a lot of park rangers roaming the trails looking for dank smokers?

[@TheHBHikerBoyScout]

Great video! What camera are you using?

[@inspireAson]

I'm using a GoPro Hero 3 and a Canon 7d. :) - Chris

[@pTanino]

This is an awesome video I love that you capture so much of your journey on these hikes and experiences of campgrounds and breathtaking views. It was nice meeting you at the Boulder event! Love the track playing at about 4:06... and again at about 5:27 who is that? Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@inspireAson]

+pTanino Thanks! The song is a cover of a Mumford and Son's song called "After The Storm." The track is by homestead and can be found on Soundcloud here: soundcloud.com/fromhomestead/after-the-storm

[@pTanino]

Thank you!

[@heidinicoleberghammer8503]

"It'd be fun, he said" "It's big. And it's a meadow" Well done Andy Hawbaker!

[@chrisrakoczy3146]

What trail is this? I'd love to take this trail someday soon

[@inspireAson]

Starting at the big parking lot at Bear Lake we went up Flattop mountain trail, then we headed counter clockwise on the Tonahutu creek trail all the way to the Tonahutu/N Inlet trailhead. Then from there we took the North Inlet trail back up to the Flattop mountain trail, went down to bear lake then headed up the North Longs Peak trail up to the Boulder field. We summited Long's peak and then made our exit at the Long's Peak Ranger station. We had two vehicles. If you only have one, you could go back down the North Long's Peak Trail to the Bear Lake parking area. Hope this helps. :) - Chris

[@chrisrakoczy3146]

Thanks a lot man

[@inspireAson]

+Chris Rakoczy you bet! Hope you can make it happen soon. It's up there with my favorite backpacking trips.

[@dustinstafford7096]

can you share the sites you stayed at in order and beginning trailhead? I got sunrise, big pool, and boulderfield from the video + comments but don't quite have the loop understood yet.

[@inspireAson]

Dustin Stafford I started at the bear lake trailhead. We stayed at sunrise, big pool, and then the boulderfield. We went from the Big Pool site back up to Flattop mountain, down to the bear lake trailhead and then up to the boulderfield from there. We had two cars. We parked one a Long's peak TH where we came out and one at the Bear Lake trailhead where we entered. In other words, the first part was a loop and then we exited the loop to go up to Long's peak. Make sense? Hope this helps. - Chris

[@dustinstafford7096]

inspireAson Cool thanks for sharing - enjoyed the video!

[@inspireAson]

ShawBen I included the hype part because I was genuinely excited to go swimming and it was the only shot I had of the campsite. For people headed to Rocky Mountain National Park to backpack, I wanted to be sure to include footage from each campsite so people could see what they look like. I may have cut out the swimming part altogether if I had more shots of the campsite, because really, who wants to see me swim? The clip is short because 1) The water was freezing cold and I couldn't stay in for very long. When considering the overall run time of the video, the amount of time devoted to swimming is a fairly accurate picture of how much time we spent in the water. 2) I figured nobody wanted to see me swim. To your point, I should have included shots of the actual "Big Pool" I wanted to swim in. We decided it wouldn't be a good idea to actually swim in Big Pool because of how deep it was, with the freezing cold water temperatures, and the difficult access to get in and out. The river where we actually climbed in was below Big Pool and was much less spectacular, yet just as refreshing. The water is crystal clear there and my camera didn't do it justice. I still enjoyed my swim, but not being able to get into Big Pool was a bit of a disappointment. I'm not sure if your question was rhetorical. Either way, that's why it is the way that it is. Thanks for the feedback. You make a good point. - Chris

[@kenedward4585]

It would be helpful if you put the dates and exact route in the notes.

[@mbikesrulee]

how do you keep from having the fish eye distortion

[@inspireAson]

+mbikesruleify Oh the distortion is there haha. I use After Effects and you can apply an effect called CC Lens. It hides the distortion pretty well, but I don't actually think I did anything to reduce the distortion in any of the footage in this video. You can especially see the distortion if you look at the trees and horizons in this video. It's pretty bad, but it's not the end of the world. If you have any of the major editing suites, there usually is a way to correct for it, but if not, it's not always bad. Do your best to make the content interesting and I'd be surprised if anyone hassled you about the distortion (though the internet is always surprising haha). :) - Chris

[@mbikesrulee]

What camera are you using

[@inspireAson]

+mbikesruleify A GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition and a Canon 7d. - Chris

[@TheZinminjr]

I think the song was supposed to be the original choice for the scene from "The Godfather" - when Frankie "Five Angels" commits suicide in the bathtub...

[@AndyOnTheMountain]

Sweet video Chris! I'm planning a trip there this week. Do you have any recommendations for a quick overnight between 6-10 miles. Preferably a loop trail. Btw I texted you yesterday, not sure if I got the correct number?check your inbox my friend. -Andy

[@ShawBen]

"I pushed all day to get to big pool. All I wanna do is swim in big pool. When you guys see big pool you'll see how amazing it is. Guys. This is big pool. Big pool this is everyone. Oh man. I can't wait." *cuts for 1/4 of a second to some dirty ass running water* then just edits to the next day. I mean dude. Why did you hype it if you weren't gonna include a photo or any video or ... What was the point of that?