Conditions IN RMNP

Was hoping to climb this weekend.. but the weather is looking cold and snowy/Rainy in boulder... So I'm trying to think of something to get my outdoor fix taken care of and I've always wanted to try to xc ski... 

I was wondering if there is some good easy beginner skiing still in good shape up in RMNP maybe a two to four miles tops..I  wouldn't' hate having it end at a nice alpine lake... I've never been to the park so I don't know where the snow line is this time of year or where some good trails would be.. anyone got any suggestions... 

Most popular trails are still covered, with the occasional short dirt patch...that said, this week's snowstorm may fill them in. Bierstadt Lake from Bear Lake make be what you're looking for...but some of the downhills may not be the easiest on skinny XC skis if you've never used them. 

I was up at Dream Lake yesterday. Looks like the base of Hallett Peak has been skied recently. Couldn't see exactly how far down the snow line is, but as the area around Dream Lake was covered pretty well, I'd guess it would be the same at Emerald Lake.

Edit: just realized "xc" means cross country. The trails have intermittent snow pack, so not idea for cross country. Sorry.

My cousin is a (awesome) photographer that took this photo of Hallett a few days ago:

http://www.highwildplaces.com/Galleries/Rocky-Mountain-National-Park/i-F6GdhtZ

As others have mentioned there is still a lot of snow up there but it's pretty much only above ~9,500ft. I've never personally done any XC skiing there since it's generally pretty steep, 

I have seen people xc skiing on trail ridge road. Just drive to the trail ridge rd winter closure and ski on. That would be a pretty beginner out and back option although you wouldn't reach a lake.

I think you would be better off skiing in the brainard lake area. The parking lot is at 10,000 ft so you'd have snow and there are some pretty fun designated xc skiing trails through the woods. There's a map of the trails there at the parking area.

Vaughn wrote:

As others have mentioned there is still a lot of snow up there but it's pretty much only above ~9,500ft. I've never personally done any XC skiing there since it's generally pretty steep, 

I have seen people xc skiing on trail ridge road. Just drive to the trail ridge rd winter closure and ski on. That would be a pretty beginner out and back option although you wouldn't reach a lake.

I think you would be better off skiing in the brainard lake area. The parking lot is at 10,000 ft so you'd have snow and there are some pretty fun designated xc skiing trails through the woods. There's a map of the trails there at the parking area.

Yeah I figured snow was pretty patchy down low.. Maybe Brainard lake is the way to go.. or just grab the snowshoes and hike around.. thanks for info!

I have seen people xc skiing on trail ridge road. Just drive to the trail ridge rd winter closure and ski on. 

The conditions on Trail Ridge Road are SUPER variable right now, since one of the lanes was plowed recently to allow hikers/cyclists through. I wouldn't recommend it.