Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Distance: 0.8 mi
Elevation Change: 220'
From the trailhead, hike about a quarter mile to the junction with the trail from Bear Lake. Turn left and pass through some scenic aspen groves. The trail climbs slightly to an overlook of Glacier Creek. Continue hiking up a couple of switchbacks to the Falls.
Muir Woods is a smallish National Monument (established in 1908), protecting less than a square mile of old-growth coastal redwoods. It's part of the Golden Gate National Recreational area and is only about 12 miles from San Francisco.
Trailhead: East Shore
Distance: 5.4 mi
Elevation Change: 1,503'
The trail doesn't actually enter RMNP until you've been hiking for half a mile. The first mile and a quarter or so (both inside and outside the Park) skirts along the shore of Shadow Mountain Lake. At the Shadow Mountain Lookout trail junction, make a left turn. The trail goes along the top of a ridge for a while, then around to the east side of a knob. After contouring along a slope, the trail resumes climbing to the tower.
Trailhead: American Lakes
Via: Michigan Lakes
Distance: 3.9 mi
Elevation Change: 1,690'
Stay on the north side of Michigan Lakes, then follow the faint trail steeply uphill through willow.
Trailhead: American Lakes
Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1,401'
The trail begins as a doubletrack; an old road that is closed to motorized traffic. Cross Michigan Ditch (a water diversion program) and follow the American Lakes trail through the trees. After crossing another creek (the Michigan River), the trail climbs steeply on several switchbacks above treeline before levelling out a bit before reaching the lakes.
Trailhead: Colorado River
Distance: 7.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2,390'
Hike north from the trailhead to the Red Mtn trail junction. Turn west and cross the Colorado River. The trail makes three stream crossings before arriving at the Grand Ditch. Continue north and cross the ditch at Big Dutch Creek. This trail peters out in a boulder field. Climb the grassy ramp to the right of the falls to reach the lake.
Trailhead: Roaring Fork
Distance: 4.8 mi
Elevation Change: 2,480'
Hike three and a half miles to the junction with the Watanga Lake trail. This trail climbs steeply for a bit more than a mile to the lake.
Trailhead: Timber Lake
Distance: 5.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2,000'
The Timber Lake trail goes about half way around Jackstraw Mountain, climbing first through aspen then mature pine forest. About halfway there's a detour due to a landslide caused by the 2013 floods. This detour (at least when I was last there) is steep and may have uncertain footing.
Trailhead: East Inlet
Via: Lake Verna
Distance: 7.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1,900'
The official trail ends at Lake Verna. On the left (north) side of Lake Verna, follow an unmaintained trail a bit less than a mile to Spirit Lake.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Flattop Mtn
Distance: 5.9 mi
Elevation Change: 2,010'
On Flattop Mtn, hike west about a quarter mile to the junction with the Tonahutu Creek Trail. Go west on this trail to Ptarmigan Point. From here, leave the trail and continue west across the tundra and descend into the Ptarmigan Lake cirque.
Trailhead: North Inlet
Distance: 10.3 mi
Elevation Change: 2,280'
Hike 7.7 miles up the North Inlet trail to the junction with the Nokoni/Nanita trail. These first seven miles are easy, gaining only about 1,000' of elevation. Take a right turn. The trail descends slightly before climbing in several switchbacks to Nokoni. The trail is highly engineered and easy hiking, without many roots or rocks to step over.
Trailhead: North Inlet
Via: Lake Nokoni
Distance: 11.1 mi
Elevation Change: 2,280'
Continue south from Lake Nokoni. The trail zigzags up to a saddle for about three tenths of a mile, then descends gradually six tenths of a mile to Lake Nanita.
Trailhead: East Inlet
Distance: 5.3 mi
Elevation Change: 1,500'
The first half (or so) of the trail climbs gently, or should I say, hardly climbs at all, gaining only a few hundred feet. The second half climbs steadily, over hundreds of stone steps built into the trail. Passing through mixed aspen and pine forest, the trail occasionaly offers dramatic views of the valley to the west.
Trailhead: Green Mtn
Distance: 8.7 mi
Elevation Change: 2,260'
The Green Mtn trail goes 1.8 miles to Big Meadows, where it meets the Tonahutu Creek Trail. Head north for six tenths of a mile to the next trail junction. Head east, continuing up Tonahutu Creek and through the Big Meadows burn scar. Watch for the spur trail that heads north to Haynach Lake.
Trailhead: East Inlet
Via: Fourth Lake
Distance: 9.3 mi
Elevation Change: 2,460'
Follow a faint trail along the north and east shores of Fourth Lake and follow the stream. This trail leaves the stream and continues straight up the slope. When you get about as high as the bench to the right, strike across the slope. Back at the stream, hop rock to rock up to Fifth Lake.
Trailhead: East Inlet
Via: Spirit Lake
Distance: 8.4 mi
Elevation Change: 1,980'
Skirt along the northern shore of Spirit Lake toward the inlet. The trail is faint, and splits and rejoins several times around occasional deadfall. Stay to the left of the stream.
Trailhead: Onahu Creek
Distance: 2.6 mi
Elevation Change: 480'
Follow the Onahu Creek trail for a bit less than two miles. When the trail crosses Onahu Creek (not the first creek, but the second) leave the trail and head northeast through lodgepole pine forest.
Trailhead: North Inlet
Distance: 7.3 mi
Elevation Change: 1,640'
Follow the North Inlet trail about 6.7 miles through a broad valley featuring a meandering stream and the occasional pond. Immediately after crossing Ptarmigan creek, find the faint trail that ascends the slope beside the stream.
Trailhead: Twin Sisters
Distance: 3.4 mi
Elevation Change: 2,253'
The first half of the trail climbs the west slope of the mountain, switching back several times. Sections of these switchbacks were destroyed in the floods of 2013. Detours are steep and may be treacherous. On the east side of the mountain, the trail rises above treeline. The official trail ends at the lower, western summit.
Trailhead: Longs Peak
Distance: 3.3 mi
Elevation Change: 1,606'
Follow the East Longs Peak trail half a mile to the junction with the trail to Eugenia Mine. Turn right. At the major trail junction 2.6 miles from the trailhead, turn right again. The last half mile to the summit is steep, climbing 600' up a series of switchbacks.
Trailhead: Longs Peak
Distance: 4.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,380'
From the trailhead, hike three and a quarter miles to Chasm Junction. From here the trail descends gently, traversing a steep dropoff that is quite treacherous when snow is present. Cross the Roaring Fork. After a meadow, negotiate a rock bench before reaching the lake.
Trailhead: Thunder Lake
Distance: 6.6 mi
Elevation Change: 1,360'
Take the Thunder Lake trail to the second switchback above the upper end of the campground shortcut. Head off trail to the east, contouring along the slope. It is better to gain a little elevation than lose a little. The lakes lie on a bench about a quarter mile after leaving the trail.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Distance: 6.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,074'
The trail follows North St. Vrain Creek for quite a while. Take the campsite shortcut to save some distance (although this means bypassing Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls). After the shortcut regains the main trail, it leaves creekside and climbs through the forest. At the Lion Lake trail junction, keep left. Just before arriving at Thunder Lake, the trail descends a bit. You've arrived when you see the hitching post and then the patrol cabin.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Lion Lake #2
Distance: 7.1 mi
Elevation Change: 3,021'
From Lion Lake #2, make the short hike to the bench that holds Snowbank Lake.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Bluebird Lake
Distance: 7.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,920'
At Bluebird Lake, drop into the small chasm and cross the outlet stream. Hike on the north side of the lake, climbing gradually such that you go to the right and above the prominent rock outcropping on the west side of the lake. Continue up a gully and through a small section of krummholz to reach Lark Pond. From there it's a short hike to the next bench and Pipit Lake.
Trailhead: Finch Lake
Via: Finch Lake
Distance: 7.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2.102'
From Finch Lake, continue up the trail two more miles. The trail goes slightly downhill at first, crossing the outlet from Finch and shortly thereafter crossing Cony Creek. This section of trail doesn't offer much in the way of views but it's pretty nonetheless, passing through thin forest and alongside occasional meadows.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Ouzel Falls
Distance: 5.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1,520'
Shortly after the Ouzel Falls, turn left on the Bluebird Trail. After a couple switchbacks, the trail gains the top of a ridge with open views due to the fire. After another mile or so, take the Ouzel Lake spur trail for another four tenths of a mile.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Distance: 2.7 mi
Elevation Change: 960'
The trail follows North St. Vrain Creek to where Cony Creek flows into it. The trail then climbs next to Cony Creek to Calypso Cascades. The trail winds around a bit, through lower elevation sections of the 1978 burn scar from the Ouzel Fire until it reaches Ouzel Falls.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Lion Lake #1
Distance: 6.9 mi
Elevation Change: 2,920'
Follow the faint trail along the east shore of Lion Lake #1 towards Trio Falls. Climb north up the rock wall and work through willow and krumholz to Lion Lake #2.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Distance: 6.3 mi
Elevation Change: 2,580'
Take the Wild Basin trail to the campground cutoff, just before the bridge over the river. This shortcut saves a few tenths of a mile, but skips Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls. Not long after returning to the main trail (to Thunder Lake), take the spur trail to Lion Lake #1. The climb isn't that steep, but it is unrelenting until shortly before the lake.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Thunder Lake
Distance: 7.5 mi
Elevation Change: 3,120'
Pass the patrol cabin and skirt the northern shore of Thunder Lake. The trail beyond the lake gets increasingly steep, gaining more than a thousand vertical feet in about a mile. The trail is sometimes indistinct, but not very difficult to follow. Wildflowers abound on the high slopes of the trail.
Trailhead: Sandbeach Lake
Distance: 6.5 mi
Elevation Change: 3,356'
From the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead, hike 3.2 miles to Hunters Creek. Leave the main trail and head northeast up the creek. About a mile and a quarter up the drainage, cross the tributary that joins Hunters Creek in a meadow at about 10,500'. Continue up Hunters Creek. It is best to cross Hunters Creek before encountering the willow around the unnamed pond at 11,200'. At the next unnamed lake, cross Hunters Creek again and go up the ridge another half mile to Keplinger Lake.
Trailhead: Finch Lake
Via: Pear Lake
Distance: 8.6 mi
Elevation Change: 2,700'
Arriving at Pear Lake, follow the trail to the left of the hitching posts. The trail takes you to an overview of Lower Hutcheson Lake then fades. Stay north of Cony Creek, keeping upslope to avoid krummholz and willow to continue to Upper Hutcheson Lake.
Trailhead: Finch Lake Distance: 5.0 mi Elevation Change: 1,432' The trail climbs to the top of a ridge, crosses to the other side, and descends a bit before reaching a trail junction. Continue west, up a steep section and back over the top of the ridge to another trail junction. Bearing left, the trail passes through a section of the Ouzel burn scar affording open views of the peaks to the north. The trail descends again as it approaches Finch Lake.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Thunder Lake
Distance: 7.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,560'
Pass the patrol cabin at Thunder Lake on the fairly well-defined trail along the northern shore. After climbing through the trees to open terrain, move north across the talus field to the outlet from Falcon Lake.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Box Lake
Distance: 7.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,320'
Climb the grassy ramp on the southest side of Box Lake to the top of a bench. On this bench is an unnamed pond and lots of willow and krumholz. On the west end of this pond there's a grassy ramp that makes travel easier. Follow that to granite slabs that overlook the eastern end of Eagle Lake.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Via: Lion Lake #1
Distance: 6.6 mi
Elevation Change: 2,640'
Just before arriving at Lion Lake #1, about when it comes into view, contour southeast along a bench for a bit over a quarter mile.
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Distance: 6.3 mi
Elevation Change: 2,478'
From the Wild Basin Trailhead follow the Thunder Lake trail for 3.4 miles past Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls to the Bluebird/Ouzel trail. This trail turns south and climbs to the top of a ridge which was burned in the Ouzel fire in 1978, giving open vistas of the surrounding mountains. From the junction with the Ouzel Lake trail to Bluebird Lake is about 1.7 miles and climbs a thousand feet, passing through fields thick with wildflowers.
Coming off Trail Ridge Road towards the village of Grand Lake, the range of mountains to the west are the Never Summer Mountains. The top of this ridgeline is the western boundary of the park. Most of the destinations here are reached from trailheads along the headwaters of the Colorado River.
The Southwest Corner is the area south of East Inlet, east of Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake, and north of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area (although some destinations here are, in fact, in the IPWA). There are few trails here, and relatively few visitors.
The West Side Central destinations are served from several trailheads along Trail Ridge Road, on five major drainages: Timber Creek, Onahu Creek, Tonahutu Creek, North Inlet, and East Inlet. This part of the park tends to get more moisture, the valleys are often wider with meandering streams and long, flat sections of trail. I typically see more moose here than elk and deer, and the trails tend to be less crowded than either East Side Central or Wild Basin.
The eastern boundary of the Park abuts civilization: princiapally the towns of Estes Park and Allenspark. This section covers destinations found along Colorado highway 7, either inside the Park or on National Forest Service land.
Longs Peak is the only 14er in the Park and is visible nearly everywhere you go. This section covers destinations on the Longs Peak massif: Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, Mount Lady Washington and Moore Park.
Wild Basin is the southeastern part of the park. Most of its wonders lie farther from roads, meaning longer hikes, but the extra effort is rewarded with spendid alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and a multitude of waterfalls.
Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone were declared as U.S. National Monuments in May 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and the area was established as a National Park in 1916. It is home to steaming fumaroles, wildflower filled meadows, clear mountain lakes, and, of course, numerous volcanoes.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park contains 12 miles of the 48-mile long Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. The national park itself contains the deepest and most dramatic section of the canyon. The canyon's name owes itself to the fact that parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day. Several canyons in the American west are longer and some deeper, but none combines the depth, sheerness, narrowness, and darkness of the Black Canyon.
If national parks were named for their outstanding features, Yosemite would probably be called Granite Slabs National Park. Established in 1890, it is one of the most famous and most visited National Parks in the country. Although it covers nearly 1200 square miles, most visitors spend their time in the 7 square miles of Yosemite Valley.
The peaks of the Teton Range rise dramatically over the valley of Jackson Hole, soaring five to seven thousand feet. The Tetons are fronted by a series of clear water natural lakes (and one reservoir) which feed the Snake River. The park was established in 1929 after failed attempts to increase the size of neighboring Yellowstone National Park.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Distance: 3.1 mi
Elevation Change: 1,170'
From Bear Lake take the Flattop Mtn trail about a mile to the Fern-Odessa trail junction. Follow this trail as it traverses the northern side of Flattop Mtn. Shortly after the Sourdough campsite, the lake can be found a short distance off the trail to the left.
Trailhead: Fern Lake
Via: Odessa Lake
Distance: 5.4 mi
Elevation Change: 2,430'
At Odessa Lake, circle west and south until reaching Tourmaline Creek. Follow the creek steeply uphill. There's a trail there, but it's intermittent. The climb levels off and passes through a meadow before getting steep once again before arriving at Tourmaline.
Trailhead: Fern Lake
Via: Fern Lake
Distance: 4.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1,510'
The spur trail to Spruce Lake is actually a hundred yards or so short of Fern Lake. This is a very pretty trail but can be difficult to follow at times, particularly a cairn marked section through a boulder field. The trail also passes through a few marshy spots with boardwalks.
Trailhead: Lava Cliffs parking area
Distance: 0.2 mi
Elevation Change: -220'
Hundreds of people see this lake every day from the Lava Cliffs parking area, but few bother to visit it because there is no trail. Follow one of the steep grassy ramps to the loose volcanic rocks, then down to the lake.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Distance: 3.2 mi
Elevation Change: 1,130'
The trail climbs the ridge north of Bear Lake and shortly after attaining the north side reaches the junction with the Flattop Mtn trail. Continue to the right; the trail bends from the east flank of Flattop to the north. Not far after crossing Mill Creek, on the flank of Joe Mills Mtn, the trail begins to descend. Where the trail makes a sharp right turn to descend Odessa Gorge, head off trail to the southwest to reach the lake.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Flattop Mtn
Distance: 5.1 mi
Elevation Change: 3,263'
From the trail junction that marks the summit of Flattop, head south to pass above Tyndall Glacier. Follow the fairly well-defined but unofficial trail to the large cairn at the summit of Hallett Peak.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: Mills Lake
Shelf Lake
Distance: 4.7 mi
Elevation Change: 2,040'
Roughly a mile and a half up the trail from Mills Lake there's a meadow on the west (right) side of the trail. Here a faint trail heads to Glacier Creek. There's a large flat boulder in the middle of the creek that makes crossing fairly easy. The faint trail then climbs pretty much straight up the side of the gorge alongside the outlet stream from Shelf Lake. After the trail tops a granite shelf, cross the creek.
Solitude Lake
Distance: 5.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2,240'
From Shelf Lake, head southwest over rock slabs. The outlet of Solitude Lake cascades over the slabs between the lakes.
Trailhead: Fern Lake
Distance: 4.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1,870'
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Distance: 3.9 mi
Elevation Change: 570' (net)
Two routes available for Odessa Lake. From Bear Lake, take the Flattop Mtn trail until the Odessa Lake junction. After passing by Two Rivers Lake and Lake Helene, the trail makes a right turn and traverses the flank of Joe Mills Mtn. Make a u-turn on the Odessa Lake spur trail.
Or take the Fern Lake trailhead to Fern Lake. From there, the trail ascends through a pile of boulders and back into the trees, climbing steadily. Take the Odessa Lake spur trail.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Lake Haiyaha
Distance: 4.4 mi
Elevation Change: 1,803'
From the south side of Lake Haiyaha, proceed up Chaos Canyon staying to the left slopes. No trail is possible here, it's rock hopping all the way up.
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Via: Dream Lake
Distance: 3.3 mi
Elevation Change: 1,040'
At Dream Lake the trail branches - Emerald to the right, Haiyaha to the left. The trail rises above Dream Lake (sometimes visible through thick trees) before coming to a rocky outcroping affording a nice view of Longs Peak. After the trail junction (with the unimproved trail that descends to the Mills/Loch trail junction), continue to the right. The trail goes through a boulder field before ending at the lake.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Distance: 2.7 mi
Elevation Change: 760'
This heavily traveled trail passes Alberta Falls then the south side of East Glacier Knob before reaching a junction with the Loch Vale, Lake Haiyaha, and Fire trails. Bear left here, cross the stream and large granite slabs to arrive at the outlet of Mills Lake.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via:Black Lake
Green Lake
Distance: 6.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2,360'
From Black Lake, follow the trail up the inlet. After climbing about 400', the trail along the stream turns south into the bowl immediately beneath Longs Peak. Continue along the stream, navigating granite slabs and sometimes dense krummholz to Green Lake.
"Italy" Lake
Distance: 6.2 mi
Elevation Change: 2,440'
"Italy" Lake is not officially named. It lies a couple hundred yards south and slightly above Green Lake.
Trailhead: Milner Pass
Distance: 6.8 mi
Elevation Change: 3,130'
Although net elevation change is only 362', the route takes the hiker to about 300' below the summit of Mount Ida before heading downhill to the lakes. Climb 1,750' in the morning on the way in, another 1,380' in the afternoon on the way out.
Climb the Mount Ida trail to about 12,500' elevation, then leave the trail and contour along the ridge below 'Jagor Point'. Hike north along the spine of the ridge to treeline and a grassy ramp down to 'Lake Amore'. Go south to Love Lake and Arrowhead Lake.
An ambitious hiker can continue on to Doughnut Lake, Inkwell Lake, Azure Lake, and Highest Lake.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: Glass Lake
Distance: 4.4 mi
Elevation Change: 1,720'
After reaching Glass Lake, the trail goes over rock slabs northwest of the lake before descending again toward the western shore. After this, the trail undulates a bit, passing through dense shrubbery before topping out on the bench holding Sky Pond.
Also sometimes called Lake of Glass.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: The Loch
Distance: 4.2 mi
Elevation Change: 1,640'
The trail continues past the Loch, crossing Andrews Creek and meeting the spur trail to Andrews Tarn. Stay on the main trail as it bends south. When the trail exits the trees it gets quite steep, ascending numerous stone steps to Timberline Falls. A few yards west of the falls, the trail ascends a steep broken cliff and is often wet with falling water. From the top of the falls, Glass Lake is just a few more steps.
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Via: Black Lake
Distance: 6.1 mi
Elevation Change: 2,400'
From Black Lake, follow the unimproved trail up the inlet, climbing about four hundred feet. The creek bends to the south. Cross the creek and follow cairns over granite slabs to the southwest, topping a bench north of the Spearhead.
Established in 1906 by Teddy Roosevelt, Mesa Verde is not only a National Park, but a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States and is is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States.
Franklin D. Roosevelt used the power of the 1906 Antiquities Act to establish Joshua Tree National Monument. In 1950, the size of the park was reduced by about 290,000 acres to open the land to more mining. The monument was redesignated as a national park on October 31, 1994, by the Desert Protection Act, which also added back 234,000 acres. Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest sand dunes in the USA, rising up to 750' and covering some 30 square miles. It has only been a National Park since 2004; before that was a National Monument since 1932. Bounded on the east by the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountains, the dunes make a stunning picture.
Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon National Monument in 1908, but it didn't become a National Park until 1919. Obviously, the Park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Wonders of the World. Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size.
Anyone visiting Monterey should make the short side-trip a few miles south to Point Lobos. It's not a large park, but contains many interseting sights. There are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora and fauna of both land and sea.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cities and their aspects: skylines, buildings, and bridges.
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.
The land we move through, and what we see in it: lakes, mountains, rivers, birds and bees and animals.
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![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fcastle-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F402%2FIMG-8685-stitch%2Flarge.1556555272.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fcastle-lake%2F" title="Castle Lake"%3ECastle Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Wild+Basin%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EVia%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Flion-lake-1%2F%22%3ELion+Lake+%231%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+6.6+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+2%2C640%27%0A%0AJust+before+arriving+at+Lion+Lake+%231%2C+about+when+it+comes+into+view%2C+contour+southeast+along+a+bench+for+a+bit+over+a+quarter+mile.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fbox-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F399%2FIMG-3018-stitch%2Flarge.1556370003.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fbox-lake%2F" title="Box Lake"%3EBox Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fbluebird-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F339%2FBluebirdLake%2Flarge.1556052048.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fbluebird-lake%2F" title="Bluebird Lake"%3EBluebird Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Wild+Basin%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+6.3+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+2%2C478%27%0A%0AFrom+the+Wild+Basin+Trailhead+follow+the+Thunder+Lake+trail+for+3.4+miles+past+Calypso+Cascades+and+Ouzel+Falls+to+the+Bluebird%2FOuzel+trail.+This+trail+turns+south+and+climbs+to+the+top+of+a+ridge+which+was+burned+in+the+Ouzel+fire+in+1978%2C+giving+open+vistas+of+the+surrounding+mountains.+From+the+junction+with+the+Ouzel+Lake+trail+to+Bluebird+Lake+is+about+1.7+miles+and+climbs+a+thousand+feet%2C+passing+through+fields+thick+with+wildflowers.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fnever-summer-mountains%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F389%2F100-0789-stitch%2Flarge.1556312064.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fnever-summer-mountains%2F" title="Never Summer Mountains"%3ENever Summer Mountains%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EComing+off+Trail+Ridge+Road+towards+the+village+of+Grand+Lake%2C+the+range+of+mountains+to+the+west+are+the+Never+Summer+Mountains.+The+top+of+this+ridgeline+is+the+western+boundary+of+the+park.+Most+of+the+destinations+here+are+reached+from+trailheads+along+the+headwaters+of+the+Colorado+River.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fsouthwest-corner%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F384%2FIMG-6378-stitch-crop%2Flarge.1556310151.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fsouthwest-corner%2F" title="Southwest Corner"%3ESouthwest Corner%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe+Southwest+Corner+is+the+area+south+of+East+Inlet%2C+east+of+Grand+Lake+and+Shadow+Mountain+Lake%2C+and+north+of+the+Indian+Peaks+Wilderness+Area+%28although+some+destinations+here+are%2C+in+fact%2C+in+the+IPWA%29.+There+are+few+trails+here%2C+and+relatively+few+visitors.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fwest-side-central%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F396%2FBenchLake%2Flarge.1556313421.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fwest-side-central%2F" title="West Side Central"%3EWest Side Central%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe+West+Side+Central+destinations+are+served+from+several+trailheads+along+Trail+Ridge+Road%2C+on+five+major+drainages%3A+Timber+Creek%2C+Onahu+Creek%2C+Tonahutu+Creek%2C+North+Inlet%2C+and+East+Inlet.+This+part+of+the+park+tends+to+get+more+moisture%2C+the+valleys+are+often+wider+with+meandering+streams+and+long%2C+flat+sections+of+trail.+I+typically+see+more+moose+here+than+elk+and+deer%2C+and+the+trails+tend+to+be+less+crowded+than+either+East+Side+Central+or+Wild+Basin.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Feastern-perimeter%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F355%2FEstesCone-01-4piece-cropped%2Flarge.1556252152.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Feastern-perimeter%2F" title="Eastern Perimeter"%3EEastern Perimeter%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe+eastern+boundary+of+the+Park+abuts+civilization%3A+princiapally+the+towns+of+Estes+Park+and+Allenspark.+This+section+covers+destinations+found+along+Colorado+highway+7%2C+either+inside+the+Park+or+on+National+Forest+Service+land.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Flongs-peak-group%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F363%2FChasmLake-05-6piece-cropped%2Flarge.1556287184.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Flongs-peak-group%2F" title="Longs Peak Group"%3ELongs Peak Group%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ELongs+Peak+is+the+only+14er+in+the+Park+and+is+visible+nearly+everywhere+you+go.+This+section+covers+destinations+on+the+Longs+Peak+massif%3A+Longs+Peak%2C+Mount+Meeker%2C+Mount+Lady+Washington+and+Moore+Park.+%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fwild-basin%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F339%2FBluebirdLake%2Flarge.1556052048.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fsets%2Fwild-basin%2F" title="Wild Basin"%3EWild Basin%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EWild+Basin+is+the+southeastern+part+of+the+park.+Most+of+its+wonders+lie+farther+from+roads%2C+meaning+longer+hikes%2C+but+the+extra+effort+is+rewarded+with+spendid+alpine+lakes%2C+rugged+peaks%2C+and+a+multitude+of+waterfalls.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Flassen-volcanic-national-park%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F424%2F2016-07-13-111305%2Flarge.1556598131.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Flassen-volcanic-national-park%2F" title="Lassen Volcanic National Park"%3ELassen Volcanic National Park%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ELassen+Peak+and+Cinder+Cone+were+declared+as+U.S.+National+Monuments+in+May+1907+by+President+Theodore+Roosevelt%2C+and+the+area+was+established+as+a+National+Park+in+1916.+It+is+home+to+steaming+fumaroles%2C+wildflower+filled+meadows%2C+clear+mountain+lakes%2C+and%2C+of+course%2C+numerous+volcanoes.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fblack-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F658%2FIMG-3598-stitch%2Flarge.1557121297.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fblack-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park%2F" title="Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park"%3EBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EBlack+Canyon+of+the+Gunnison+National+Park+contains+12+miles+of+the+48-mile+long+Black+Canyon+of+the+Gunnison+River.+The+national+park+itself+contains+the+deepest+and+most+dramatic+section+of+the+canyon.+The+canyon%27s+name+owes+itself+to+the+fact+that+parts+of+the+gorge+only+receive+33+minutes+of+sunlight+a+day.+Several+canyons+in+the+American+west+are+longer+and+some+deeper%2C+but+none+combines+the+depth%2C+sheerness%2C+narrowness%2C+and+darkness+of+the+Black+Canyon.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fyosemite-national-park%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F573%2FIMG-2264%2Flarge.1557023221.JPG&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fyosemite-national-park%2F" title="Yosemite National Park"%3EYosemite National Park%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EIf+national+parks+were+named+for+their+outstanding+features%2C+Yosemite+would+probably+be+called+Granite+Slabs+National+Park.+Established+in+1890%2C+it+is+one+of+the+most+famous+and+most+visited+National+Parks+in+the+country.+Although+it+covers+nearly+1200+square+miles%2C+most+visitors+spend+their+time+in+the+7+square+miles+of+Yosemite+Valley.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fgrand-teton-national-park%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F642%2FIMG-7462-stitch-crop%2Flarge.1557095587.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fgrand-teton-national-park%2F" title="Grand Teton National Park"%3EGrand Teton National Park%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe+peaks+of+the+Teton+Range+rise+dramatically+over+the+valley+of+Jackson+Hole%2C+soaring+five+to+seven+thousand+feet.+The+Tetons+are+fronted+by+a+series+of+clear+water+natural+lakes+%28and+one+reservoir%29+which+feed+the+Snake+River.+The+park+was+established+in+1929+after+failed+attempts+to+increase+the+size+of+neighboring+Yellowstone+National+Park.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ftwo-rivers-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F265%2FIMG-8870-IMG-8874%2Flarge.1555908696.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ftwo-rivers-lake%2F" title="Two Rivers Lake"%3ETwo Rivers Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Bear+Lake%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+3.1+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+1%2C170%27%0A%0AFrom+Bear+Lake+take+the+Flattop+Mtn+trail+about+a+mile+to+the+Fern-Odessa+trail+junction.+Follow+this+trail+as+it+traverses+the+northern+side+of+Flattop+Mtn.+Shortly+after+the+Sourdough+campsite%2C+the+lake+can+be+found+a+short+distance+off+the+trail+to+the+left.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ftourmaline-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F270%2FIMG-8853-stitch-crop%2Flarge.1555940649.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ftourmaline-lake%2F" title="Tourmaline Lake"%3ETourmaline Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Fern+Lake%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EVia%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fodessa-lake%2F%22%3EOdessa+Lake%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+5.4+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+2%2C430%27%0A%0AAt+Odessa+Lake%2C+circle+west+and+south+until+reaching+Tourmaline+Creek.+Follow+the+creek+steeply+uphill.+There%27s+a+trail+there%2C+but+it%27s+intermittent.+The+climb+levels+off+and+passes+through+a+meadow+before+getting+steep+once+again+before+arriving+at+Tourmaline.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fspruce-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F258%2FIMG-7203%2Flarge.1555906331.JPG&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Fspruce-lake%2F" title="Spruce Lake"%3ESpruce Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Fern+Lake%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EVia%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ffern-lake%2F%22%3EFern+Lake%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+4.8+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+1%2C510%27%3Cbr%3E%0A%0AThe+spur+trail+to+Spruce+Lake+is+actually+a+hundred+yards+or+so+short+of+Fern+Lake.+This+is+a+very+pretty+trail+but+can+be+difficult+to+follow+at+times%2C+particularly+a+cairn+marked+section+through+a+boulder+field.+The+trail+also+passes+through+a+few+marshy+spots+with+boardwalks.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ficeberg-lake%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F255%2FIMG-1618-stitch-crop%2Flarge.1555858414.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Ficeberg-lake%2F" title="Iceberg Lake"%3EIceberg Lake%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Lava+Cliffs+parking+area%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+0.2+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+-220%27%0A%0AHundreds+of+people+see+this+lake+every+day+from+the+Lava+Cliffs+parking+area%2C+but+few+bother+to+visit+it+because+there+is+no+trail.+Follow+one+of+the+steep+grassy+ramps+to+the+loose+volcanic+rocks%2C+then+down+to+the+lake.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Flake-helene%2F&content=https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F246%2FIMG-1289-IMG-1291%2Flarge.1555857346.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="https%3A%2F%2Fgrunschev.com%2Fkoken%2Falbums%2Flake-helene%2F" title="Lake Helene"%3ELake Helene%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrailhead%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Bear+Lake%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EDistance%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+3.2+mi%3Cbr%3E%0A%3Cstrong%3EElevation+Change%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+1%2C130%27%0A%0AThe+trail+climbs+the+ridge+north+of+Bear+Lake+and+shortly+after+attaining+the+north+side+reaches+the+junction+with+the+Flattop+Mtn+trail.+Continue+to+the+right%3B+the+trail+bends+from+the+east+flank+of+Flattop+to+the+north.+Not+far+after+crossing+Mill+Creek%2C+on+the+flank+of+Joe+Mills+Mtn%2C+the+trail+begins+to+descend.+Where+the+trail+makes+a+sharp+right+turn+to+descend+Odessa+Gorge%2C+head+off+trail+to+the+southwest+to+reach+the+lake.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
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