5 replies to this topic

[JasonMa]

We are looking at possible harder (for us) hikes for later this summer and we are considering a round trip from the Bear Lake TH to Glacier Gorge via Lake Haiyaha. We can't seem to find much about the trail between Lake Haiyaha and the Glacier Gorge trail though. Looking at the maps it appears to be a pretty steady drop from just after Lake Haiyaha to where the trail meets at the junction for Mills Lake and the Loch. Is there anything about the trail that we're missing or need to know?

[HighPlainsMedic]

JasonMa, on 20 June 2011 - 10:28 AM, said:

We are looking at possible harder (for us) hikes for later this summer and we are considering a round trip from the Bear Lake TH to Glacier Gorge via Lake Haiyaha. We can't seem to find much about the trail between Lake Haiyaha and the Glacier Gorge trail though. Looking at the maps it appears to be a pretty steady drop from just after Lake Haiyaha to where the trail meets at the junction for Mills Lake and the Loch. Is there anything about the trail that we're missing or need to know?

Sounds like you have a topo.. your right.. it is a steady drop, nice route though..

when are you going? it might still have snow in spots.. Streams are running pretty high now too.. sturdy boots?

[JasonMa]

HighPlainsMedic, on 20 June 2011 - 11:13 AM, said:

Sounds like you have a topo.. your right.. it is a steady drop, nice route though..

when are you going? it might still have snow in spots.. Streams are running pretty high now too.. sturdy boots?

This is planning for later in the summer, probably August but maybe late-July. We just did Bierstadt Lake this weekend and we'll probably hit some waterfalls next weekend (Alberta and/or Fern).

[Lynette]

JasonMa, on 20 June 2011 - 10:28 AM, said:

We are looking at possible harder (for us) hikes for later this summer and we are considering a round trip from the Bear Lake TH to Glacier Gorge via Lake Haiyaha. We can't seem to find much about the trail between Lake Haiyaha and the Glacier Gorge trail though. Looking at the maps it appears to be a pretty steady drop from just after Lake Haiyaha to where the trail meets at the junction for Mills Lake and the Loch. Is there anything about the trail that we're missing or need to know?

Here's a trip report of when we did that a few years ago.... with going first to Emerald Lake and backtracking to Dream Lake for the trail with Haiyaha. There were lots of roots on the trail, so I needed to watch my step. My boys had no problem.

[JasonMa]

Lynette, on 20 June 2011 - 12:21 PM, said:

Here's a trip report of when we did that a few years ago.... with going first to Emerald Lake and backtracking to Dream Lake for the trail with Haiyaha. There were lots of roots on the trail, so I needed to watch my step. My boys had no problem.

Thanks, great pictures!

[AliceH]

Dunno if you've done this trip already, but I did the loop back in 2008 with my son - he was 5 at the time. It's not strenuous. We did it in the opposite direction of what you're planning. The trail conditions (snow) going up to Haiyaha from Dream Lake are what I'd be concerned about, but if you're doing the route *from* Bear Lake then you should hit that part of the trail early enough that if the conditions are undesirable you can turn around without having to do miles and miles of backtracking. The RMNP website says that the trail's clear now, which is pretty amazing considering what Igloo Ed was reporting a few weeks ago.

Hmmmm...maybe this is what the doctor ordered for this weekend. I've been trying to figure out what to do.