April 18, 2019

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Album Published April 18, 2019

Flattop Mtn

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Distance: 4.4 mi
Elevation Change: 2,874' The Flattop Mtn trail is one of the most popular trails in the park. It climbs fairly gently at first. A short way into the hike the trail splits - Flattop Mtn to the left and Odessa/Fern lakes to the right. The trail steepens on the way to the Dream Lake and Emerald Lake overlooks. The Emerald Lake overlook is just below tree line. The trail makes its way along the north side of the mountain, yielding nice views of the Mummy Range in the distance. There isn't much of a summit; it is generally agreed to be at the junction of the Flattop Mtn, North Inlet, and Tonahutu Creek trails.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Fern Lake

Trailhead: Fern Lake
Distance: 3.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1,390' The Fern Lake trail starts off very gently, gaining only 150' in the first 1.7 miles to the Pool. From the Pool to Fern Falls is another nine tenths of a mile gaining only another 500'. The trail then climbs steadily through the forest. Just before the cresting a final rise, the trail junctions with the spur trail to Spruce Lake.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Emerald Lake

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Dream Lake
Distance: 1.8 mi
Elevation Change: 650' The trail edges along the north shore of Dream Lake then gets a bit steeper as you get closer to Emerald. This is a very popular destination; even in the depths of winter it's not uncommon to share the lake with dozens of other hikers.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Dream Lake

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Nymph Lake
Distance: 1.1 mi
Elevation Change: 450' From Nymph Lake the trail passes through an aspen grove and over rocks with nice views of Longs Peak. Shortly after reaching Tyndall Creek the trail splits, with the Haiyaha trail branching to the left. Continue a short distance to the right to reach Dream Lake.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Blue Lake

Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: Black Lake
Distance: 5.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1,960' From Black Lake, climb the unofficial trail beside the inlet on the east side of the lake. The trail levels off somewhat after about a 400' vertical climb. From here, bushwack through krummholz and over bare rock about a half mile to the northeast to the bench holding Blue Lake with a nice view of Glacier Gorge and Mills Lake.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Black Lake

Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: Mills Lake
Distance: 4.9 mi
Elevation Change: 1,440' The trail above Mills Lake is marshy in places, with boardwalks through the wetter sections. Nearer Black Lake the trail steepens a bit. Ribbon Falls is to the right of the trail just before reaching the lake. McHenrys Peak stands majestically over the lake, dominating the view.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Bear Lake

**Trailhead:** Bear Lake
**Distance:** 100 yds
**Elevation Change:** 25' It will likely be a longer walk from your car to the trailhead than from the trailhead to Bear Lake. There's a paved path all the way around the lake, so even those folks with mobility issues can get a good look.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Loomis Lake

Trailhead: Fern Lake
Via: Spruce Lake
Distance: 5.6 mi
Elevation Change: 2,070' From the southwest shore of Spruce Lake, hike up the right side of the drainage on the faint trail. Primrose Pond is a bit over a half mile up, with Loomis another couple of tenths.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Mummy Range

This is the largest section of the park. It is basically everything north of Trail Ridge Road and east of Milner Pass. Viewed from Estes Park, the range resembles an Egyptian mummy. There is a wide variety of terrain on offer, from the sculpted formations close to Estes Park to wide valleys to high summits.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Chiquita Lake

Trailhead: Lawn Lake Distance: 5.5 mi Elevation Change: 2,800' See Also: Ypsilon Lake Follow the faint trail up the inlet of Ypsilon Lake until the creek splits. Follow the left branch up the valley, through sparse forest and over a boulder field to the shelf holding the lake.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Machines

Album Published April 18, 2019

Cityscapes

Cities and their aspects: skylines, buildings, and bridges.

Album Published April 18, 2019

Hilo

Album Published April 18, 2019

The Loch

Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Distance: 2.9 mi
Elevation Change: 1,000' The distance cited above is based on hiking by Alberta Falls. Taking the "Fire" trail reduces the distance by about a half mile. The trail by Alberta Falls is one of the most popular in the park, so be prepared for crowds at all times of year. After Alberta Falls, the trail skirts the south flank of East Glacier Knob before arriving at the junction of trails to Mills Lake, The Loch, and the unimproved Haiyaha trail (as well as the "Fire" trail). Follow the signs to the Loch. The trail zig zags up the hillside north of Icy Brook before depositing the hiker on the east shore of the Loch. In winter, from the trail junction simply proceed up Icy Creek to the lake.

Photographic Evidence

Flattop Mtn

Fern Lake

California

Arizona

Nevada

Wyoming

South Dakota

Emerald Lake

Dream Lake

Blue Lake

Black Lake

Bear Lake

Loomis Lake

Mummy Range

Chiquita Lake

Machines

Cityscapes

Hilo

The Loch