Lawn Lake Llama Outing

Distance: 6 miles round trip (12.9 mile round trip to Lawn Lake)
Elevation: 8,540 ft - 9,632 ft (campground)
Elevation Gain: 1,092 ft
Date Hiked: 22 October 2011
Dogs: No, National Park
Bathroom at trailhead: Yes
Tags: #rmnp, #estespark, #llamas, #hiking

Llamas on the Lawn Lake Trail

One day in October we decided to take a few llamas on a stroll in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We called the park information line and asked if the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead had space for stock trailers.  The voice on the phone sounded like something out of the "Mummy's Revenge", ancient and crotchety, but it said yes so we were foolishly pacified.  This turned out to be very wrong and in fact we almost got ourselves stuck trying to turn around at the end of McGraw Ranch Road.  Needless to say we were not happy.  With On Star in the truck we called the park headquarters again.  This time, the mummified assistant answering the phone was more forthcoming... "Eh, what is stock?" Like horses and stuff and we answered.  "Eh, Bridal Veil Falls has no space for horses".  Duh we replied we just found that out.  Where in the park can we take our llamas we asked as we drove back into Estes Park.  "Eh, I have no idea" the voice replied with the unmistakable sound of a sarcophagus lid closing.  We were not about to let this go, however and made our B movie reject look it up.  That is how we ended up at the Lawn Lake Trail.  This turned out to be a much better option.

The stock parking for Lawn Lake is a quarter of a mile up Fall River Road from the Lawn Lake Trailhead.  It is quite large and the stock trail starts just across the road.  While it does head to the trailhead, there is a turnoff for the trail itself that cuts a few hundred yards off the trip.

Looking down on the Alluvial Fan.  Large boulders the size of cars litter the valley, testament to the power of water. 

20 years later and flood is still evident

I have always liked this trail because it winds leisurely along the eroded banks of the Roaring River.  Back in 1982, the Lawn Lake dam failed, causing a torrential flood that ripped out the banks of the the Roaring River, creating the Alluvial Fan (a great place to walk in the park), and flooding Estes Park, killing one camper.  The force of that flood is still evident today.

Mt Chiquita (13,069 ft) peeks above the trees while Ypsilon Mountain (13,514 ft) stays out of site just to the right.

Long's Peak dominates the view looking back down the trail

After hiking with llamas to Thunder Lake, which can only be classified as a death march, the Lawn Lake trail was like Disneyland.  It was flat, without rocks, blanketed with soft pine needles and airy.   A few peaks were visible from the trail, but the big draw was the solitude, pleasant Lodgepole forest, and crisp fall breezes that tickled the senses.

Our turn around point.  Lawn Lake is another 3.5 miles further near the mountain in the distance.

Llamas Krescent and Liberty smile for the tourists..."Can we pet them?" was a common refrain. 

We turned around at the campground, which is 3 miles in.  The hike to Lawn Lake is much longer (13 miles round trip).  I would love to come back and run it.  As it was we were walking at least 3 miles an hour.   We might return this summer to take the llamas all the way.  They are great for carrying your caviar and inflatable butlers to remote picnic locations.  Just don't forget that etiquette demands a cummerbund for such formal occasions.  

Alluvial Fan Nature Hike

Distance: 0.5 miles
Elevation: 8,557 ft - 8,640 ft
Elevation Gain: 83 ft

In the center of the Alluvial Fan

The Alluvial Fan is a short but scenic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park suitable for elders and children. The trail crosses an area of waterfalls, boulders, and Aspens that formed when the Lawn Lake Dam broke upstream on July 15, 1982. Shortly after 5:30 AM, water and debris tumbled down the Roaring River Valley. People camping along the river reported that the water rose 22-30 ft. One camper in this area was killed.

Fall color amongst the rocks

As the water exited the narrow river valley and spread out into Horseshoe Park, it overran a campground and killed a few more people. Logs, house-sized boulders, and sand was dumped into a large pile.

Looking at the debris from the west side

The water then traveled toward the town of Estes Park, the gateway community to Rocky Mountain National Park. It took out a small hydroelectric power plant and fish hatchery before sending a river of mud through the downtown area. Finally, the water flowed into the Big Thompson River and dumped into Lake Estes. Total cost of the accident was $31M.

The river is much calmer now

Today, a walk across this debris field is both scenic and sobering. Tourists gather amongst the rocks, water either roars or trickles through the area depending upon the season, and trees have grown up along the edges. The route has minimal elevation gain and winds through the debris. It is 0.5 miles between the east and west Alluvial Fan parking lots and roughly 0.25 miles from either lot to the center of the fan. From the top of the mound there are also great views of the Endovalley/Horseshore Park area.

Spague Lake Nature Loop

Distance: 0.9 mile loop
Elevation: 8,694 ft
Elevation Gain: None

Delightful Sprague Lake with Hallet Peak in the background

The trail around Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park is short, flat, and very scenic. I took my parents there on their recent Colorado vacation. We ate lunch on one of many picnic tables near the trailhead and then strolled the short route around the lake. The trail is well groomed, totally flat, and suitable for everyone. The views change constantly providing a great deal of variety in a short distance.

The bridge from the picnic area to the lake

Trout were abundant in the outlet stream

Sprague Lake has in interesting history as well. It is actually man made and was constructed by Abner Sprague who owned a lodge nearby long before the area became a National Park. You would never be able to tell this by the "naturalness" of the setting.

The loop going left (the route we took)

The loop going right

The lake is well stocked with fish and you can actually see them in the outlet stream and even larger specimens along the lake shore.

Looking southwest in early October on my first visit. Note the fisherman standing well out in the water

The sudden and welcome view of the Continental Divide. No wonder Abner built the lake here.

The first time I visited this lake, I only walked part way around, trying to judge if it would be suitable for the parental units. I did not notice at that time the stunning views of the Continental Divide including Hallett (12,713 ft), Taylor (13,153 ft), and Otis (12,486 ft) peaks that greet the visitor half way around. I wish ole Abner had sold his land to me so I could have that view for my living room window.

Small viewing platform

Across from the view platform the lake shore is bordered by reeds.

If you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, don't exclude Sprague Lake from your list, particularly if you are staying at the nearby Glacier Gorge Campground. There is a short 0.8 mile trail between the campground and the lake.

A final view of the lake and the reflections of the trees in the still waters

Loch Vale Hike

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 8,787 ft - 10,220ft
Elevation Gain: 1,433 ft
Critters: Stellar's Jay
Tags: #rmnp, #coloradooutdoors, #hike, #mountainlake

Loch Vale in Rocky Mountain National Park

Loch Vale is a classic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park that many visitors do on their summer vacations. It is relatively easy, has interesting milestones along the way, and ends at a spectacular lake. It is suitable for beginning hikers.

The well groomed trail starts out in a grove of young Aspens.

The trail follows Glacier Creek, which is particularly attractive in the fall.

Another trail segment

The trail to Loch Vale begins at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. At 0.9 miles is Alberta Falls, which rages in the spring and is frozen over in the winter. Tourists gather about the rocks snapping pictures of themselves. Be sure to stop here and look down into the gorge as well. This part of the trail is broad and well manicured. It winds through juvenile Aspens and conifers.

Alberta Falls

Above Alberta Falls, the trails switchbacks up the hillside until it enters Glacier Gorge, a wind tunnel filled with stunning rocks and "peak-a-boos". Along the way are large pull outs for landscape photography.

Looking north from one of the many view points along the trail to Glacier Gorge

At 2.23 miles is the junction with Mills Lake and Lake Haiyaha. From this point, the trail heads up a series of switchbacks with views of the gorge. The switchbacks are not long or arduous. At the top is Loch Vale. There is a trail that circumnavigates the lake and lots of "beaches", rocks, and peninsulas to lounge on.

The left side of the Glacier Gorge

Looking up Glacier Gorge

In the winter, this spot is one of the coldest in Colorado, but on this trip in early October it was balmy. My friend and I sat by the lake and ate lunch. An aggressive Stellar's Jay kept us company and ogled our sandwiches.

Heading up the switchbacks to the Loch Vale

Looking up the Gorge that we snowshoe in winter. Those boulders are much larger than they look.

If you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, add this trail to your list. It won't disappoint. Add one mile to your trip and visit Mills Lake on the way back. From the LochVale/Mills trail junction it is a short 0.5 miles and minimal elevation gain to Mills.

Wind blown Bristlecone Pines on a peninsula jutting out into the lake

Lake Haiyaha to Bear Lake Shuttle

Distance: 3.6 miles to Lake Haiyaha (one-way), 7.2 miles (out and back), 5.7 miles (to Bear Lake Shuttle).
Elevation: 9,200 ft (Glacier Gorge Trailhead), 10,286 ft (Max Elevation on trail between Lake Haiyaha and Dream Lake), 9,475 ft (Bear Lake)
Elevation Gain: 1,556 ft

The Emerald Color of Lake Haiyaha

Lake Haiyaha means "place of big rocks with not as many tourists as Dream Lake" in indigenous Arapaho. This less frequently visited destination within Rocky Mountain National Park is indeed surrounded by huge boulders that have tumbled down from Chaos Canyon. The lake, which is located in a draw between Hallet and Otis peaks, is a deep emerald color.

The Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Alberta Falls

You can visit the lake four ways, as an out and back from either the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake trailheads or as shuttle from either location. I have done this hike twice now and both times I started at Glacier Gorge and ended at Bear Lake. The convenient Park Shuttle dropped me off and picked me up from both trailheads.

A well-groomed trail

Another typical trail segment

Summer in Rocky Mountain National Park is a precursor to Elk bugling season...be one with the herd. In this instance, however, I was with a large group that took up a quarter of the shuttle bus. Herd indeed.

Entering Glacier Gorge

The signs at the Mills Lake...Loch Vale trail junction

We started at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and quickly arrived at Alberta Falls at 0.87 miles. The route from Alberta Falls to the Mills Lake/Loch Vale trail junction (at 2.17 miles) is one of my favorites. The route switchbacks steadily upwards on a well groomed trail. There are plenty of vista points and the ever pleasant journey through Glacier Gorge itself. This segment is a rock shelf overlooking a precipitous gorge surrounded by towering rock walls. Don't worry about exposure here though, this shelf is wide and welcoming.

A sunnier segment of the Lake Haiyaha Trail

The pond on the way

From the Loch side of this junction is the sign for Lake Haiyaha. The turn off is within spitting distance (we did test this out) of the junction, so you don't have to worry about missing it. Another sign warns that the trail to the lake is unimproved. This is unimproved by National Park standards, which means it is still quite cushy by Colorado standards.

A rockier trail segment

A small pond to the left on the final approach to Lake Haiyaha

This segment of the route is more in the trees and climbs more intensively. At 2.64 miles is a small lake on the right. It has nice views, so take a break and walk out to it. At 3.34 miles is a turn off to the lake. This too is marked by an obvious sign. 0.3 miles further up the trail you come to the large rocks surrounding the lake.

A large group leaving the lake as I arrived

Looking up into the tallus field of Chaos Canyon

Our group enjoyed lunch spralled out on the rocks. These boulders are quite large and angular. It made it difficult to navigate and certainly time consuming to get down to the water. I chose to sunbath and take pictures.

An expansive view of Longs Peak and the keyboard of the winds from the trail to Dream Lake

Looking down on Bear and Nymph Lakes

From this point, the hiker can turn around and head back to Glacier Gorge or continue on to Dream Lake (9,912 ft) at 4.57 miles. This route takes the hiker upwards to a maximum elevation of 10,286 ft. before heading downwards on a narrow shelf towards Dream Lake. In spring, this route can be treacherous indeed, but once the snows have melted it is easy going with spectacular views of Longs Peak.

Once off the ridge, the trail to Dream Lake is largely shaded

Dream Lake with Hallet Peak in the background

Dream Lake is a short 2/10ths of a mile off the route, and since this is one of the most visited locations in the park, a mandatory detour. Take a moment to admire the twisted trees around the lake before heading down to restful Nymph Lake at 5 miles (9,705 ft). From Nymph Lake it is only 0.7 miles to the Bear Lake and the shuttle bus.

Stopping to take a look at the Trout in the stream

Nymph Lake and its many Lilly Pads

Despite the crowds, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is always pleasant. There is something about a National Park and its manicured wilderness that is cozy and comforting. I was surprised by the number of dead Lodgepole Pines, however. The Pine Bark Beetle is firmly entrenched on the eastern slope.