Bierstadt Lake (9,470′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Apr 24, 2022 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Bierstadt Lake (9,470′), Front Range

Bierstadt Lake sits atop a forested moraine, which is a ridge composed of material left behind thousands of years ago by receding glaciers. The lake was formed when a dam was made from glacial debris deposits. Water from the lake drains into Mill Creek within the Mill Creek basin, a flat valley with a scenic meadow.

The lake’s east end provides the best look at the Continental Divide, with standouts such as Otis Peak (12,486′), Hallet Peak (12,713′), Flattop Mountain (12,324′), Ptarmigan Point (12,363′) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129′).

Trail Stats

Bierstadt Lake

Trailhead: Bierstadt Lake
Round trip: 3.2 miles / 5.1 km
Elevation: 8,904′- 9,470′ / 2,714 m – 2,886 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPX with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Bear Lake Rd below winding it’s way to Glacier Gorge

View west from the switchback trail

View of Mt Meeker, Longs Peak, and Thatchtop Mountain

View of the Continental Divide from the trail

View to the east from the trail

Northeastern view of Bierstadt Lake

Notchtop Mountain in the center

View northwest from the lake

Spring melt has started

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Snowy Otis Peak, Hallet Peak, and Flattop Mountain

Bierstadt Lake surrounded by a heavy forest

The forest surrounding Bierstadt Lake

View of Longs Peak from Bierstadt Lake

Lunch with a view

Shoreline of Bierstadt Lake

Chipmunk investigating the intruder

Chipmunks are common in the park

View along the northern shoreline

On top of the moraine heading to Bierstadt Lake

Deep snow in the woods in late April

Grreat views west along the Bierstadt trail

Found along the trail

Video Tour

Trail Directions

An uphill 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail with switchbacks that begins at the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. A 0.6-mile (0.97 km) trail encircles the subalpine lake, which has a sandy beach along the eastern portion, offering the most spectacular views.

Most of the elevation gain occurs in the first three-quarters of a mile. You enter a pine forest which turns to sage with unobstructed views as you gain elevation. At the top of the moraine the trail transitions back into a dense forest again. The trail gets relatively flat as you continue to the lake.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jan 23, 2022 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

Mount Sniktau sits just east of the Continental Divide on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The summit is located less than a mile south of Interstate 70, and east of the Eisenhower Tunnel. Despite being close to an Interstate and being one of the windiest places in Colorado, Mt Sniktau made the list because of the epic views from the summit.

From the ridge, you will see Loveland Pass below at 11,990 ft (3,655 m), Torreys Peak (14,267′), with Grays Peak (14,270′) popping up behind it to the southeast. There are too many more peaks to list that you can see from the summit, but some others include Mt. Evans 14,264′, Quandary Peak (14,265′), Mt. Parnassus (13er), Mt. Bard (13er), Longs Peak 14,255′, and Mt. of the Holy Cross (14,005). Also visible is the Tenmile/Mosquito Range and hundreds of other peaks. To the west are the ski runs of Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Breckenridge across the Continental Divide. What a view!

The name “Sniktau” refers to the pen name of Edwin H. N. Patterson, journalist and editor of the Colorado Miner in the Clear Creek County area during the 1860s. Patterson was a close friend of the famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe.

Trail Stats

Mt Sniktau

Trailhead: Grizzly Peak / Loveland Pass
Round trip: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Elevation: 11,990′ – 13,234′ / 3,655 m – 4,034 m
County: Clear Creek
Forest: Arapaho

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Mt Sniktau 13,234′

On the climb to the ridge with Loveland Pass below

View of Arapaho Basin

Heading to the ridge above

View along the ridge

Looking back along the route to a false summit

Torreys Peak 14,267′ From Mt Sniktau

Looking back along the ridgeline

View to the NW

I-70 Eisenhower Tunnel – highest point on U.S. interstate system

View looking north

Endless mountain peaks in every direction

Summit view looking east with I-70 below

Mt. Parnassus (13,574′) and Bard Peak (13,641′) from the summit of Mt. Sniktau

Torreys Peak 14,267′ from Mt Sniktau’s ridgeline

Mt Sniktau with two people on the summit

View of Quandary Peak 14,265′ in the distance (left of center)

Looking back after gaining 1,000′ to the ridge

HWY 6 winding it’s way to Loveland Pass

Heading to the ridge and then left

First objective is to get up to the ridgeline

Looking back at the trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the parking lot, head east towards Mt Sniktau. You’ll first climb to the saddle at point 12,915, a mile ahead of you. After gaining the ridge, take a left (north) to continue up the southwest ridge. Head towards another bump which is a false summit at 13,152 feet.

Hike through a short rocky section to reach the final false summit. You can now see the remaining route to reach the true peak’s summit. Keep hiking and drop about 250 feet into the saddle before you ascend for another quarter mile to reach the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Lake Isabelle (10,910′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Nov 7, 2021 | Featured, Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Lake Isabelle (10,910′), Front Range

Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409′), Apache (13,441′) and Shoshoni (12,967′) peaks. The Continental Divide is located just west of the lake, running along the high peaks above the valley.

Mitchell & Blue Lake and Mt Audubon, are also located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and also offer beautiful views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Trail Stats

Lake Isabelle

Trailhead: Long Lake
Round trip: 4.4 miles/7.1 km summer, 11 miles/17.1 km winter
Elevation: 10,300′ – 10,910′ / 3,139 m – 3,325 m
County: Boulder – Brainard Lake Rec. Area
National Forest: Roosevelt
Wilderness: Indian Peaks

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Park closed in winter to motorized vehicles

Brainard Lake Rec. Area

Road to the Long Lake trailhead

Out of control bike ride along the closed road

Long Lake Trailhead

View through the dense forest

Long Lake, Brainard Lake Rec Area

Trail in great winter condition

Long Lake, with sounds of moose nearby

One of the many creek crossings

Shoshoni Peak ahead

Meadow on the way to Lake Isabelle

As you near Lake Isabelle the trees thin out

The upper portion of the South St. Vrain Creek valley

Above Lake Isabelle

The incredible scenery of Lake Isabelle

Panorama of Lake Isabelle

Niwot Ridge, 13,409-foot Navajo Peak, Navajo Glacier, 13,441-foot Apache Peak and 12,967-foot Shoshoni Peak, looking from left to right

The Continental Divide lies along the jagged peaks

View along the northern shore

View from the waters edge

One last look at Lake Isabelle

Winter in full display in early November

Heading back to the Long Lake trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the Long Lake Trailhead, the trail begins its relatively gentle ascent up to Long Lake. After a quarter-mile of trekking, the trail intersects the Jean Lunning Trail, which will take you to and around Long Lake. This area is known for moose sightings. Avoid the Jean Lunning Trail and continue to the right uphill to Lake Isabelle.

After approximately 1 more mile, the trail intersects the Jean Lunning Trail for the second time. Again, continue towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass, bypassing the Jean Lunning Trail. Lake Isabelle is just another .9 miles beyond this trail junction. From the lake you have the option of continuing further up the trail to reach Isabelle Glacier.

Trailhead Directions

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Estes Cone (11,007′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Oct 24, 2021 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Estes Cone (11,007′), Front Range

Estes Cone is located about 3 miles from the Longs Peak trailhead on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The peak serves as a prominent landmark in the Tahosa Valley to the east. The peak is named for one of the first settlers in Estes Valley, Joel Estes. The granite peak has a rocky outcrop on the summit that provides unobstructed views of Rocky Mountain National Park.

On the way to Estes Cone you will pass by the old Eugene Mine area, of which there is almost no trace left. Moving on you end up at Storm Pass, after which the steepest part of the hike begins. Just before reaching the summit you will hit a cliff band. Head to the right and there will be a weakness in the wall that you can scramble up to the summit.

Trail Stats

Estes Cone

Trailhead: Longs Peak
Round trip: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
Elevation: 9,400′ – 11,007′ / 2,865 m – 3,355 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures – October 2021

Longs Peak trailhead

The first junction on the Longs Peak trail

Meadow near Moore Park

Near Storm Pass

Steepest part of the trail near the summit

Estes Cone summit

Looking north from the summit

The wind gusts were dangerous on the summit

Southwest view from the summit

Northwest view from the summit

View along the western cliff face

Summit view to the south

Summit view looking west with Longs Peak covered in clouds all day

View east from the summit with Lake Estes below

Northwest view from the summit

The route up to the summit – a steep scramble

View west on the final climb to the summit

View north from the summit

Looking northwest just below the summit

Mt Meeker (left) and Longs Peak (right)

Meadow near Moore Park

Ruins near the old Eugene Mine

Ranger station at the foot of the Longs Peak trail

Estes Cone from Hwy 7

Trail Pictures – May 2015 – stopped 1/4 mile from the summit due to a rare snowstorm with lightning and thunder.

Estes Cone from the Longs Peak trailhead

Serious lightening hazard so turned around about 100ft from the top

heavy thunderstorm with snow

Storm moving in

Following cairns

Close to the Estes Cone turnoff

Looking towards Longs Peak

Weather rolling in

The only break from the dense forest

A rare glimpse of sunshine

Snow deepened at the turnoff for Eugene Mine

Fairly clear near the trailhead

Longs Peak trailhead ranger station

Estes Cone in the distance

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The approach to Estes Cone from the Longs Peak trailhead is relatively easy with mild uphills until you reach the base of the mountain. Once you turn off the Storm Pass trail you will see cairns marking the turnoff to begin the steeper 800′ scramble to the top. Once you reach the base of the summit, head right of the rock wall to scramble to the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Fremont Peak (7,273′), Royal Gorge

by Mike Langenkamp | Feb 8, 2020 | Dog Friendly, Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Fremont Peak (7,273′), Royal Gorge

Fremont Peak is the high point along a narrow ridge of hills rising near the eastern edge of the Royal Gorge’s north rim. The desert peak is part of a very small sub-range of mountains called the Gorge Hills. These peaks are relatively low and are covered in desert flora. Great views of the Royal Gorge, the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, and Pikes Peak can be seen along the trail and summit.

Don’t miss the Elkhorn Loop Picnic Area and Overlook to get a closer look of the bridge and the Royal Gorge, only a couple minutes drive from the EastRidge Trailhead. Great views just steps from your car, check out the last two pictures.

Summers in this area can be dangerously hot, plan accordingly.

Trail Stats

Fremont Peak

Trailhead: EastRidge Trailhead, Royal Gorge Mountain Park
Round trip: 3.9 miles / 6.3 km
Elevation: 6,919′ – 7,273′ / 2,109 m – 2,217 m
Area: Royal Gorge
County: Freemont
Park: Royal Gorge Mountain Park

The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest bridge in the United States. It spans 880 feet across the Arkansas river at a height of 955 feet. Built in 1929, it was the highest bridge in the world until 2001.

Weather

GPS Track with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Heading back on County Road 3A

Beginning of the hike on County Road 389B

EastRidge Trailhead

View of Fremont Peak from the trail

View of Pikes Peak to the north

View of Fremont Peak summit

Summit view west of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the distance

View of the Royal Gorge from the summit with the bridge on the right

Summit view of the Arkansas River running at the bottom of the Royal Gorge

Summit view to the north

Summit view to the east

A large cairn at the summit

Last push to the summit

Looking back along the trail

The steep slope to the summit after leaving the trail

The glowing summit straight ahead

The trail after the radio towers

Cactus blooming in February

Lots of cactus along the trail

County Road 389B ends at the towers

The road follows the top of the ridge

Lots of traffic

A view into the Royal Gorge from the trail

The trail winding to the southeast

The Royal Gorge looking east

Royal Gorge Bridge

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the Eastridge trailhead head downhill and to the left (heading south) to get on County Road 389B.

Folllow County Road 389B until it ends at the radio towers

From the end of the road, you will see Fremont Peak across a saddle to the southeast. Follow the the trail heading in that direction.

You quickly come across a trail junction with a sign for the Summit trail. Follow the trail towards the peak (southeast).

Once underneath the peak, pick a social path up the steep slope to the summit. There is no maintained trail.

Trailhead Directions

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The Crags (10,856′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jan 18, 2020 | Dog Friendly, Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

The Crags (10,856′), Front Range

The Crags Trail #664 follows Four Mile Creek through deep forests and lush meadows, ending at a rocky dome with unobstructed views in all directions. At the summit of the windswept dome there are views of the Rampart Range, Pikes Peak Mastif, Catamount Reservoirs, and distant mountain ranges to the west and north.

The majority of the Crags trail has a gentle elevation gain, with the first and last half-mile gaining the most elevation.

Another hike along the the flanks of Pikes Peak with very unique geological features is Pancake Rocks.

Trail Stats

The Crags

Trailhead: The Crags/Devils Playground
Round trip: 7.3 miles / 11.7 km (winter mileage)
Elevation: 9,665′ – 10,856′ / 2,946m – 3,309m
County: El Paso
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Forest: Pike

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Road conditions before the closure

Stay to the right as you approach the trailhead

Heading back

Pikes Peak area to the southeast

Looking west

Reservoirs to the east

Rocky and jagged peaks

Pikes Peak ridge-line

Summit view

View back into the valley

Fantastic views

Bristle cone pine trees at least hundreds of years old

The Crags from the trail

The final section before the rocky summit

Following Fourmile Creek east

Footprints, maybe a fox?

Sunrise along the trail

The Crags trail forks to the left

The Crags trail starts in dense forest crossing Fourmile Creek

The Crags trailhead

Sunrise along County Road 62

Winter road closure 1.1 miles from the trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Take the clear and well-used path over a bridge and through the forest.

After climbing for 1/2 mile you will see the trail junction with the Devil’s Playground #664A, stay to the left on 664 to The Crags.

Continue following Fourmile Creek northeast through a valley. The trail will be wooded at first, but will eventually open up into a meadow with views of rocky cliffs and the rough western flank of Pikes Peak.

During the last 1/2 mile the trail re-enters the forest and gains elevation as it turns north along a small ridge.

The trail ends on the top of a rocky outcropping with excellent views all around.

Trailhead Directions

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Lake Helene (10,630′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Apr 20, 2019 | Featured, Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Lake Helene (10,630′), Front Range

There is no signage and you must follow a social trail to get to the lake, but despite it’s obscurity, Lake Helene is a spectacular destination inside Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake is situated at treeline, between Flattop Mountain (12,324′) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129′).

Even lesser known Two Rivers Lake is a short walk from Lake Helene, and also worth the visit while in the alpine valley.

Trail Stats

Lake Helene

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Round trip: 7.2 miles / 11.6 km
Elevation: 9,475′ – 10,630′ / 2,888 m – 3,240 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Lake Helene

Early morning view of Bierstadt Lake from the trail

Heading to the Flattop Trail junction above Bear Lake

Alternating forests and clearings along the Odessa Lake trail

Notchtop Mountain comes into view

Two Rivers Lake and Notchtop Mountain (12,129′)

Bear Lake in the early afternoon

Bear Lake and Hallett Peak

Incredible views of the Longs Peak area of the park

View of Longs Peak along the trail

Odessa Lake trail through dense conifer trees

Notchtop Mountain and Lake Helene

Notchtop Mountain towers over the valley

Odessa Lake 640′ below

Lake Helene beginning to thaw

Two Rivers Lake looking east

Little Matterhorn

A curious Gray Jay

View of Flattop Mountain

Notchtop Mountain summit

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Follow the Bear Lake trail for less than 1/2 mile to the Odessa Lake Trail Junction and take the trail to the right. The trail climbs above Bear Lake to the Flattop Mountain trail junction. Continue towards Odessa Lake, climbing through forests and meadows. After approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead you will see social trails on your left for Lake Helene. The lake is partially concealed from the trail and spurs are fairly easy to miss. If you make a sharp hairpin turn north (right) and begin descending, you’ve passed it.

Two Rivers Lake is near treeline just downstream of Lake Helene. A thick forest and boulder field stand between the main trail and lake, making it easier to walk east from Lake Helene through the forest and meadows.

Trailhead Directions

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Mills Lake (9,965′) & Jewel Lake (9,990′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Dec 9, 2018 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Mills Lake (9,965′) & Jewel Lake (9,990′), Front Range

Located within Glacier Gorge in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mills and Jewel Lake provide dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. The Longs peak area is prominently visible from the valley. The summer route initially takes you to Alberta Falls, another popular destination in the park.

Mills Lake is named in honor of Enos Mills (1870-1914), who is considered the father of Rocky Mountain National Park. Inspired and enouraged by John Muir, Enos Mills campaigned to see these mountains in Colorado protected as a national park, a fight he won in 1915.

The view from Mills Lake towards Longs Peak is the image used on one side of the 2006 Colorado State Quarter.

Trail Stats

Mills & Jewel Lake

Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Round trip: Jewel Lake 6 miles / 9.6 km
Elevation: 9,240′-9,990′ / 2,816 m – 3,045 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Longs Peak, Keyboard of the Winds, and Storm Peak

Longs Peak 14,259′, right, with the Keyboard of the Winds

Heading back north across Mills lake

View of Keyboard of the Winds and Storm Peak in the blowing snow

Mills Lake with a small cloud over Longs Peak (left)

Cove on Mills Lake eastern shore

Rising above Mills Lake from left to right – Longs Peak, Keyboard of the Winds, Storm Peak, Spearhead, and Chiefs Head Peak.

Mills Lake eastern shore

Mills Lake with Storm Peak (left) and Spearhead (right) rising above the blowing snow

Mills Lake frozen solid

Looking North across Mills Lake

Looking North from Jewel Lake’s southern shore

Jewel Lake just ahead

The southern shore of Mills Lake

View west from Mills Lake

Eastern side of Glacier Gorge

Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park

Mills Lake eastern shore

Mills Lake, Glacier Gorge

First glimpse into Glacier Gorge

Bristle-cone pine trees

Just above Mills Lake looking into Glacier Gorge

Looking across Glacier Knob

Otis Peak 12,486′

Chaos Creek

Colorado Quarter

Glacier Gorge trailhead

Mills Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From Glacier Junction, head south for less than a mile, where you’ll come across Alberta Falls. At 1.6 miles you will arrive at the North Longs Peak Trail junction. To continue on towards your destination turn right here. It’s another 2 miles to Mills Lake from here. Once at the lake it’s another .4 miles to Jewel Lake, most of the distance is walking along the shore of Mills Lake.

Trailhead Directions

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Lake Haiyaha (10,244′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jan 7, 2017 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Lake Haiyaha (10,244′), Front Range

Lake Haiyaha is a secluded, boulder-riddled lake in lower Chaos Canyon. Hallett Peak (12,713′) and Otis Peak (12,486′) tower over the lake, and are situated on the Continental Divide, making for spectacular scenery. The shores of the lake are home to some of the oldest trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. The final .25 mile approach to the shore is guarded by large boulders requiring minor scrambling to reach the lake.

Haiyaha is an indigenous word that means “rock” or “lake of many rocks”, or “big rocks”, depending on the translation.

Trail Stats

Lake Haiyaha

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Round trip: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Elevation: 9,475′-10,244′ / 2,888 m – 3,122 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Easy trail to Nymph Lake

Male elk also nearby

White tailed deer near the coyotes

Coyote near Nymph Lake

Coyote stayed behind to keep eye on me

Waiting for the pack

Pack of Coyotes near Nymph Lake

Turn off for Lake Haiyaha

Looking into Chaos Canyon

Lake Haiyaha just ahead

First view of Chaos Canyon

View of Longs Peak and Thatchtop Mountain

Dream Lake in the morning

Hallett Peak

Nymph Lake from above

Nymph Lake with Longs Peak in the background

Large crack in the ice

View of Hallett Peak and Lake Haiyaha

Frozen Lake Haiyaha

Dream Lake on the way back

Panorama of Lake Haiyaha

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The trail begins alongside Bear Lake and climbs westward towards Tyndall Gorge, passing Nymph Lake along the way. Past Nymph Lake the trails climbs again to Dream Lake.

Once there, the trail moves up a southward slope into the Chaos Canyon drainage and arrives at Lake Haiyaha, located at timberline along Chaos Creek. The lake and Chaos Canyon are known for excellent bouldering.

Trailhead Directions

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St Vrain Mountain Trail (12,162′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | May 14, 2016 | Difficult Hikes, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

St Vrain Mountain Trail (12,162′), Front Range

The St Vrain Mountain trail is located just outside the border of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area to the south, and Rocky Mountain National Park to the north. The trail climbs steeply heading west, just east of the Continental Divide, with views across the Middle St Vrain Creek drainage and the Wild Basin Area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail Stats

St Vrain Mountain Trail

Trailhead: St Vrain Mountain
Round trip: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Elevation: 8,940′- 12,162′ / 2,725 m – 3,707 m
County: Boulder
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Wilderness: Indian Peaks
Nat’l Forest: Lincoln