8 replies to this topic

[kadeycat]

A friend and I are going to hike in the Bear Lake area this weekend. She has suggested Mills Lake and thats great with me since its one of my favorites. However I have never done Lake Haiyaha and think it would be easy to add. Would it be better to go from Bear Lake trailhead up to Haiyaha and then on to Mills and returning to Glacier Gorge trailhead? Or is it better to go to Mills Lake and then turn North at the junction heading past Haiyaha on the way back to Bear Lake?
Any alternate suggestions? About how much mileage does the route total?

Thanks for any input.

[Bill 007]

I would do Haiyaha then take the "unimproved" trail to the junction and then head to Mills. It's a downhill, shady and pretty to boot.

Bill

[Scrapinator]

I've done that trail the other way, up to Mills and then to Haiyaha on the unimproved trail. I don't remember it being terribly strenuous, but I do remember having to scramble over a few downed trees. It is doable, either way.

This is from the Rocky Mountain Nature Association website. It sounds like they are improving the Mills to Haiyaha trail

"The trail from scenic Alberta Falls to Mills Junction is arguably one of the most heavily trafficked trails in the park. The trail continuing on to Lake Haiyaha is at best unimproved, and at worst an issue of visitor safety - people reportedly have difficulty following the trail and finding the route to the lake.

The park would like to stabilize and modify the existing trail from Alberta Falls to Mills Junction to protect it from continued trail abrasion, and to formalize the trail heading toward Lake Haiyaha, preserving the resources while providing a clear, safe and protected trail for visitors.

The budget estimates are coming in at $400,000. Initial trail work has begun in 2009 and will continue over a two year period, to be completed in 2011."

Edited by Scrapinator, 21 July 2010 - 06:03 AM.

[mistylady]

Great info, Scrapinator. We took the unimproved trail up from Mills several years ago. We had to really work to get up some of the rocky areas and did have trouble staying on the trail. We were okay with it, but would have enjoyed the hike much more coming down from Haiyaha.

[kadeycat]

I would love to go to Mills and return via the fire trail but I have no clue where its at. Is it easy or difficult to find the turnoff?
Is the turnoff after the mills/ Loch junction if we are headed back down?

[Igloo Ed]

kadeycat, on 21 July 2010 - 10:48 AM, said:

Is the turnoff after the mills/ Loch junction if we are headed back down?

The turnoff is about 80 ft. down the trail towards A.F. from the actual junction of the Mills and Loch trail. It goes across a large smooth rock and over a pile of wood laid there to hide the trail. After the wood pile, the trail is obvious.

[DrCloud]

Igloo Ed, on 21 July 2010 - 11:03 AM, said:

The turnoff is about 80 ft. down the trail towards A.F. from the actual junction of the Mills and Loch trail. It goes across a large smooth rock and over a pile of wood laid there to hide the trail...

... to the left, as you're headed downhill, as I recall.

And this is different from the unimproved Haiyaha Trail, correct? HPH

[Igloo Ed]

DrCloud, on 21 July 2010 - 11:12 AM, said:

... to the left, as you're headed downhill, as I recall.

And this is different from the unimproved Haiyaha Trail, correct? HPH

Correct, the Haiyaha Trail is 15 ft. or so past the Mills/Loch junction on the way up the trail to the Loch.
They both head north off the Loch trail though.

[DrCloud]

The Fire Trail is easy in the winter -- you just follow other people's snowshoe tracks! HPH