Colorado loop including 4 corner states

TOPO! data: 6.68 miles, Elevation gain/loss 1710' (this is an approximate sum of all the ups and downs; difference between high point and low point is more like 1000')
GPS data: 7.8 miles, time moving 3:44, time stopped 3:39
Watch data: started hike 7:40, returned 15:00

From Bear Lake parking lot, hike to and around Bear Lake in a counter-clockwise direction (see photo above). Leave Bear Lake on trail to

Nymph Lake.
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPNymphLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Continue on to

Dream Lake (there'll be a trail junction here).
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPDreamLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Continue on right side of lake to

Emerald Lake.
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPEmeraldLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Return to Dream Lake, take trail to Lake Haiyaha junction, turn right and follow to

LakeHaiyaha. I stopped here and had my lunch. This is about the highest point on the hike, around 10,200'.
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPLakeHaiyaha.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Backtrack to trail junction, head toward Glacier Falls (but not all the way).
At trail junction, turn left to

Alberta Falls
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPAlbertaFalls.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

and eventually back to Bear Lake parking lot. Head for nearest cold beer.

This can be shortened any number of ways:

1) Make it an out-and-back by turning around at Nymph, Dream, or Emerald Lakes (if you make it as far as Lake Haiyaha you're past the halfway point so you may as well do the loop.

2) Drop one or both of the out-and-backs to Emerald and/or Haiyaha Lakes

On the other hand, this can be LENGTHENED by adding an out-and-back loop up to Glacier Falls.

My feet were ready for me to quit by the end of this hike.

I should have noted earlier that I have a pair of hiking boots and a couple of hiking poles; not required for any of these hikes but useful.

You also want to make sure you bring along something to address any "hot spots" that flair up on your feet as soon as you notice them, so you don't develop any blisters. Toss some moleskin and a knife or scissors to cut it with in your day pack.

Total number of photos taken on this hike: 89.

I want to go on this hike!

Great photos!

Mark

What great intel, and provided in such detail. Thanks, Don.

I'd have to agee that under most any circumstances, elevation gain trumps distance, and that skew probably increases with increasing ambient elevation.

My personal observations dramatizing that point relate to a backpacking trip to the Wind River Range in WY in August 1976. I'd spent much of the prior 3 months cutting survey line in central Virginia, and that is very similar to work. I ran regularly and extensively for most of the preceding 3 months. In short, I'd just turned 21 and was in the best condition of my life.

The Appalachian State University geology group drove a Dodge 15 passenger van straight through from Boone, NC to Dubois, WY in 46 hours (I know, I know). I recall we had 5 certified drivers among the 9 travelers (State-owned vehicles required specifically permitted drivers). We arrived at Dubois early enough in the day to grab last-minute supplies/gear and to then spend WAY too much time carousing with the locals.

Our plan the next morning was to start at 7,600' and from that trailhead to then climb nearly 3,000' at which time we'd cross a several mile flat at 10,500' before dropping 1,000' or so to a group of small tarns (glacial lakes). We didn't make it, and it wasn't even close. We started late and badly overloaded. After about an hour's struggle, several guys got together to run some gear back to the van. We awaited their return and then bivouaced well short of the pass. The next day was the real grind, as we were short of water since we'd planned to reach it on night one. The skies were clear but it was cool and very windy. We became badly dehydrated. After a brutal day's "stagger", we reached the lakes and lazed about drinking water and enjoying the scenery.

Despite that experience the wife and I (and I accept 100% of the blame here) failed to plan for elevation gain on our honeymoon trip to RMNP just 26 months later. We suffered and lost a day's travel time by having to stay at our first site for 2 nights rather than 1.

Oh, and on that honeymoon trip we were camped in the timber close to a large alpine meadow the first night. My bride was all enthralled with the backpacking stove, supper being prepared by me, the little bit of wine we'd lugged up the trail, and the fact we were about to overnight in the backcountry, when we were suddenly hit with what sounded like amplified flute or recorder music. My bride asked me what on Earth that was, and I hadn't a clue. It was of course the bull elk's mating call, mere yards from our campsite.

As "threatened" previously, I'm going to scan and post some of those snapshots one of these days and will enjoy sharing them with the group, even though the quality pales dramatically from the skills demonstrated herein.

Foy

I, for one, am looking forward to these long-promised photos...

I've had some ill effects from unwise elevation gain as well -- but I gotta tell you, sometimes it doesn't work like that. A few years ago, I left Kathmandu, Nepal) with what seemed like classic altitude illness headed for Tengboche and since Kathmandu is relatively low for Nepal, (it's only about 4300 feet) I was a bit concerned. The weird thing is that the higher we treked the better I felt and when the rest of my mates were beginning to feel a bit peaked ~ 12000 feet, I felt better and better -- So, sometimes elevation gain's effect on people is unpredictable....

Mark

Mark/Foy: Thanks!

TOPO! data: 9.68 miles, Elevation gain/loss 2365' (difference between high point and low point about 1500')
GPS data: 10 miles, time moving 5:34, time stopped 2:43
Watch data: started hike 6:50, returned 15:20

Here's my shadow and gear at the trailhead....

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...eTrailhead.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

WAY too early! You can see my three Nalgene bottles ready to load into the blue backpack (one in either side pocket, the third hung from a carabiener on my belt). You can also if you look closely see the remains of my morning latte', Linda's Purdue emblem on the trailer hitch, and one of my hiking poles.

At the time I took this I didn't realize there was a herd of 50-some elk 100 yards away to my left.

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPElkHerd.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

This is the trailhead right by Moraine Park Campground. Trail starts south along the western edge of Moraine Meadow, then will turn right and head west. Here's a little bit of trailside view:

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPCubLakeTrail.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

A bit further on you reach:

Cub Lake
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPCubLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Continuing on the north side of the lake, you climb up a fairly steep pitch but are rewarded with a nice view of the lake as you continue on. You'll cross an rise and find yourself on a trail above the Thompson River. It will slowly work it's way down to a trail junction right down near

Thompson River
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...mpsonRiver.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

This hike heads left up to Fern Lake, the shorter version would be to turn right at this point and return to the campground. This would cut out A LOT of up and down, and shorten the entire hike by 4.4 miles. Of course you miss most of what follows.

On the trail up to Fern Lake you'll pass two waterfalls:

Fern Falls
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPFernFalls.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

and Marguerite Falls:
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...eriteFalls.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

(At this point I have to confess I MAY have these backwards...)

And finally

Fern Lake
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPFernLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Which is where I had my lunch. From here, you backtrack back to the river, then continue down the trail along the river back to the trailhead/campground. This is all mercifully downhill, but I have to admit I was really dragging the last mile or so.

Toward the end I saw this:

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPBeaverSign.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

but never saw the guy what chewed it down.

This hike was the most energetic of the four (the first hike I described was next hardest); what follows are two easier hikes that I did back-to-back, one on each side of the continental divide, separated by lunch at the visitor center at the top. Coming later today or tomorrow.

Total photos this hike: 82.

TOPO! data: na (didn't do the full hike I planned) - estimated 150 feet elevation gain/loss.
GPS data: 2.9 miles, time moving 1:17, time stopped 0:32
Watch data: started hike 7:15, returned 9:00

DO NOT DO THIS HIKE IF OLD FALL RIVER ROAD IS OPEN TO AUTO TRAFFIC!

And if OFRR IS open to auto traffic, you probably don't want to take a 30' RV up it either.

Parking at trailhead is extremely limited, so this may not be the hike for you, but for completeness' sake...

Park at the Endofvalley picknic area, head up unpaved Old Fall River Road.

You'll get some nice views both

up valley
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...dViewAhead.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

and down valley from the road.
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...adViewBack.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

And after about a mile-and-a-half:

Chasm Falls
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPChasmFalls.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

One more to go....

Or not so mighty, if you've been following along the "Where in North America" forum.

From the trailhead near the "Colorado River" picnic area, you have a number of out-and-back destinations to choose from:

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/BearAtTrailhead.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

"Bear" and I did the 4.8 out-and-back to Shipler Cabins (the extra 0.2 counts the walk to the parking lot).

Data for this portion:
Leave: 11:50
Return: 14:40
Moving: 1:51
Stopped: 0:38
Based on the TOPO! printout, it looks like about maybe a 200' elevation gain, if that.

Walk is mainly flat, through meadows and near the Colorado in spots.

At this point (Red Mountain Trail junction) you can walk across it on a little footbridge.
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/MysteryStream2.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Meadow
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...radoMeadow.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

This was a mining area, and some mining remnants still can be seen. Lulu City (didn't make it that far) is listed as "site only". Other remnants include:

Shipler Cabins
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...plerCabins.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

Mine tailings on hillsides
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPMineTailings.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

and the odd bit of mining gear abandoned by the trail
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPMiningGear.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

A couple of notes on this one:

1) This hike is along a river bottom. In June, at Shipler Cabins, I got attacked by a swarm of mosquitos. Fortunately I had some DEET in my backpack. This is the only spot in the park I ran into those blood-suckers. May not be an issue in October, but be warned!

2) After this hike I went down the road to the entrance station to browse the gift shop. On the way back there was a bunch of stopped cars, looking at

this guy
http://donandlindacasey.com/images/RMNPMoose.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

No, I'm not that close. This photo brought to you courtesy of a 300mm lens screwed into a 2X telextender.

The point here is your chance of running into a moose (not necessarily a good thing) is higher if you hike downstream past the kind of marshy areas moose (and mosquitos) love, rather than upstream like I did. This is the area of the park where moose hang out. Your call.

If this area appeals to you, you may want to try a short hike on your way out of the park.

That's all I have for RMNP (for now); have a great visit!

P.S. You realize I have 'burned' any number of "Where in..." options with this post? ;)

A big thanks to Don and Foy for your help. Adjusting to the elevation is going to be important to what we can achieve, especially as here in England we have mountains the size of your mole hills. I have been OK when we visited the Austrian Alps but I actually remember having very slight symptoms on my "first meeting" with altitude on our last trip, when we drove up Glacier point [9-10,000 ft if I recall] but was fine from then on in, which included Bryce at a similar altitude. No nausea just the lungs were working a little more than usual so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, especially as Pikes peak could be on the agenda.

Quote:

---

P.S. You realize I have 'burned' any number of "Where in..." options with this post? ;)

---

Thanks for the sacrifice, you are a legend !

I think the Bear lake hike you have described will be ideal for our full day in the park, it looks awesome and great photo's ! We will have to see how we feel and adjust to the altitude [the others were all fine by the way] but we are pretty resilient to "plodding along" for long periods, but I am definitely no sprinter ! On arrival just after lunch on day one, a shorter walk to acclimatise would be great and the Old fall river road looks ideal other than the parking lot [RV's are not allowed on the road] but getting set down and heading to Cub lake looks appealing depending on actual arrival time.
Is the Thompson river close by up the grade from Cub or would a walk just to Cub lake be significantly shorter ? Off to work now so I will have another look later, thanks again it's been a great help !

Your two considerations for Old Fall Creek Road are:

1) Is it open to auto traffic? It hadn't opened for the season when I hiked it, and it may be closed by the time you get there. If it is open, you probably DO NOT want to be hiking on it... too dangerous; the possibility of someone looking at the scenery rather than pedestrians on a narrow dirt road is the major issue.

2) Parking at trailhead is limited; you may want to ask a ranger what they think before heading that way.

As for Cub Creek/Thompson River "short" options:

1) Hike to Cub Lake out-and-back. About 4 miles round trip (+/-), maybe 500' up/down. (I took a closer look at the topo map, there is a bit of a slope leading to Cub Lake, so the last part of this hike is where most of the elevation gain comes from.)

2) Hike up Thompson River to junction with Cub Creek/Lake trail out-and-back. Also about 4 miles round trip, maybe 250' up/down.

3) Do the loop (combine TR out, CL back or vice-versa). Something like 5 miles, but greater elevation gain (due to hiking over the saddle between the Thompson River and Cub Lake trails); figure around 700'.

Observations: #2 is the easiest, #1 is the most scenic.

You could start with either, then decide if you wanted to complete the loop or do an out-and-back at the end point of either. Figure a mile between the two end points, and an elevation difference of 450' (mostly uphill from Thompson River, mostly downhill after getting over the saddle at Cub Lake). If you start with Cub Lake, most of the hard work is over by the time you get to the Lake. You would still have the saddle to get over and the extra mile if you decided to make a loop of it.

Lastly, if you start with the Thompson River portion, you could (instead of doing a loop) continue on a bit more to reach Fern Falls. Figure maybe another mile but also another 400-500'. This is based on what my topo map shows, my recollection was it was a longer haul than that. If the map is right, this makes an out-and-back 6 miles and 700'; the most intense of the options listed here. My vote would be to turn left and head back via Cub Lake if you feel up to it/have time at that point.

Here's shot looking back at Cub Lake from the saddle to give you a visual:

http://donandlindacasey.com/images/R...ingCubLake.jpg
Photo: Don Casey

legend?