Detailed review by 1krispy1
1krispy1
Broomfield, USA97%
Recently my girlfriend and I thought it would be fun to go to Rocky Mountain National Park and take in a hike. We really had no destination or route planned but rather we thought we would "freelance it" once we got up to the park.
Upon arrival we thought we would take in Bear Lake and make a decision from that point as to where we would hike. We did not quite make it when nature called we found the Glacier Basin park and ride and it was equipped with a loo we could use. We also realized that the free shuttle bus would leave from here and go to Bear Lake so we left the car at Glacier Basin and hopped on the bus for the short ride to Bear Lake.
There were two stops along the way where the riders of the bus could get off and hike from trail heads at these stops. We elected to stay on the bus for the final stop, Bear Lake. Once we arrived we departed the bus and started to walk around the lake.
However before we went two hundred yards there was a sign at a trail that pointed us to Lake Bierstadt a distance of only two miles. We knew that from the lake it is possible to take a short hike to the bus stop as this is one of the two stops on the way to Bear Lake. Our original thought was to do this. However as it turned out once we got to Bierstadt we elected a different route that would take us to Glacier Basin Park and Ride.
Overall the trail was not very strenuous. Much of the trail meanders through deep forest. This was actually very interesting as we got to see trio of very entertaining gray jays. My girlfriend was able to bribe them to come to her hand with small bits of brownies they seemed to enjoy greatly. Along the trail we noticed orange markers high in the trees. These are placed there by the park service so in the winter while folks are enjoying some snowshoeing or cross country skiing they will know where the trail is. The higher the marker the deeper the snow gets in that particular section of the trail.
During the hike we stopped in a clearing of the trail and enjoyed a picnic lunch. We then moved on to Bierstadt Lake. It is a small sub alpine lake with massive cliff in the background. The lake was also being enjoyed by a group of ducks. After we left the lake we continued toward Glacier Basin. Parts of the trail from here to the parking lot are very steep. One section in particular was very rocky as well as steep and caution was required. It would require particular care when making ones way down in snowshoes we thought.
Rocky Mountain National Park is 100 km north of Denver. It is managed by the United States National Park Service. It is open 365 days a year 24 hours a day. Occasional road closures take place due to adverse weather conditions. The entrance fee is $20 per car for up to a seven day visit.
Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake to Glacier Basin10
Ratings
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Accessibility
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"Must See"-Factor
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Budget Friendliness
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Requirements
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Condition
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This is a trail that requires a modest amount of conditioning. Sections are steep and it is in a high altitude environment. The views are sometimes limited as the trail runs through deep forests in sections. The costs are very good considering the $20 park entrance fee is good for seven days from the time of purchase. The condition of the trail was very good and is well maintained but it is in a back section of the park.
