The 10-mile roundtrip hike to the top of Mount Ida might sound daunting. Let’s face it; it is. But every step along the way makes the views from the top worth every huff and puff of energy.
The trailhead up to Mount Ida starts at Milner Lake and follows the Ute Trail through thick forest and uses several sets of steps to help with the elevation gain. This initial steep climb gains some elevation – starting at about 10,740 feet and climbing to about 11,100 feet in about 1.5 miles – before the trail splits.
Along this first 1.5 miles of trail takes hikers through cool forest and past small meadows full of gurgling streams and patches of alpine flowers. Look for heartleaf arnica and blue columbine in the shadows of the trees while paintbrush, elephant heads, bistort and purple fringe grow in the wet areas of the meadows.
Pine grosbeaks, mountain chickadees, golden-mantled ground squirrels and pine squirrels may also make an appearance along this portion of the trail. The trail to the left continues to follow the Ute Trail, which will quickly reach open tundra on its way to the Alpine Visitor Center along Trail Ridge Road. For hiking to the summit of Mount Ida, follow the trail to the right.
A sign gives a warning to hikers that the next 3.5 miles of the trail is exposed tundra on an unmaintained trail. Although the trail for most of the way was easy to follow as it is well worn, there are portions that travel over talus that can be hard to find.
As the path continues past .