9 replies to this topic

[the-outdoorsman]

My wife and I were out there in 2008 and we hiked the emerald lake and alberta falls trails. We were wondering what would be some other trails to consider that would be in the same difficult level or close to it anyway. Looking for photo opps too. I like to take lots of pictures. Both wildlife and landscape photos.

Thanks for any sugestions you may have.
KC

[AtHomeUpHigh]

Cub Lake would be a great first day/acclimatizing hike. We were there about two weeks ago and saw a "Mama" moose and her two "kids" at the lake. The lily pads were not in bloom though :( . I don't know if we were too early or too late for the bloom. However, it's a great first day hike with good scenery and photo opportunities with the landscape, some wildflowers and maybe the moose.

[Rhonda]

I agree that Cub Lake is a great hike. Also go ahead and go beyond Alberta Falls and head to Mills Lake or the Loch. Both of those are beautiful lakes with lots of great scenery on the way and not that difficult or long. Mills is a little easier than the Loch, and the most picturesque lake in my opinion. Also the Fern Lake trail as far as the Pool or to Fern Falls or Fern Lake, or further! There is a lot of pretty riverside hiking that is very flat with some interesting rock formations before the trail starts heading upward.

[the-outdoorsman]

We will have to check out the Cub Lake trail. We did do the Fern Lake trail up to the pool in 08 but we might have to go further this time. We enjoyed that trail. I was doing some searching and it looks like the Sky Pond trail has lot of good photo opportunities a long the way. How hard is this trail. I am up for about any of the trails but my wife might be a little leery if it is to hard to hike. Like I told her, we can stop along the way and rest if we need to.

[Rhonda]

Sky Pond is beyond the Loch. Others will have to tell you about that, I have never done it although I'd love to. It requires some climbing of a waterfall that involves a little exposure. It is a beautiful hike. Also, Black Lake beyond Mills is another beautiful hike, and then on up beyond Black Lake. Both Black Lake and Sky Pond are a little more difficult than some might be able to do right off.

[DrCloud]

If you've been to The Pool, do it again, keep going a little bit, and turn left to go back (and up) to Cub Lake, from which it's all downhill to the (Cub Lake) trailhead. This involves walking along the road a ways, either before or after--you can see this all on a map like the ones they give you at the entrance station. Or ...

The Alberta Falls trailhead is normally Glacier Gorge Junction. If you get up to Bear Lake (the shuttle is a good bet), you start higher and can then go on to Emerald Lake and other destinations. That you've done Alberta Falls gives you an idea of what these higher elevation walks are like, so go ahead and do more.

A very nice (dowhhill) walk is: park at the Storm Pass or Bierstadt Lake Trailheads; get the shuttle up at the Bierstadt Trailhead and get off at Glacier Gorge; walk just a bit up and then take a left at the Glacier Creek Trail; go down it to the intersection with the Storm Pass Trail and back to the car.

There are all sorts of trails to take advantage of, all served by the shuttles on Bear Lake Road. Study that map and use your imagination. HPH

[DeeCeeM]

I'd like to throw in a good word for Wild Basin. You don't get the sweeping views until farther up the trail; but you're beside the water most of the time. Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls are both wonderful. The hike is also easy with no exposure, so your wife should feel fine.

[jflo]

I would second the difficulty of Timberline Falls/ Lake of Glass/Sky Pond. It is a beautiful hike, but it is about 5 miles one way... You will reach The Loch at around 3.5 miles, which is a beautiful lake with great views of Taylor and Andrew Glaciers. If you're so inclined, The Loch is also fun to fish...

CLICK HERE for more info on that hike from our own Mike Amfahr... his awesome Spirit of the Rockies website.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I just want you to be knowledgeable of what you would be getting into. Remember, the destination is only the halfway point...

[AtHomeUpHigh]

jflo, on 25 August 2011 - 11:59 AM, said:

I would second the difficulty of Timberline Falls/ Lake of Glass/Sky Pond. It is a beautiful hike, but it is about 5 miles one way... You will reach The Loch at around 3.5 miles, which is a beautiful lake with great views of Taylor and Andrew Glaciers. If you're so inclined, The Loch is also fun to fish...

CLICK HERE for more info on that hike from our own Mike Amfahr... his awesome Spirit of the Rockies website.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I just want you to be knowledgeable of what you would be getting into. Remember, the destination is only the halfway point...

I second the second by jflo: a 5 mile, one-way, hike is a big commitment. Especially if you aren't acclimated and the concern you mentioned for your wife. Emerald Lake was not an "easy" hike so you and your wife should be confident since you completed that one.

DrCloud's suggestion is also a good one: You can make a loop hike of The Pool to Cub Lake by using the road joining the two trailheads. We actually did this hike, in reverse by going to Cub Lake first, a few weeks ago when we saw the "mama" moose and "babies".

Like jflo said, be knowledgeable about your choice so both hiking partners understand the degree of difficulty for your itinerary.

Some ONE-WAY specs to consider:
Cub Lake 2.4 miles ~ 540 feet gain
Emerald Lake 1.8 miles ~ 650 feet gain
The Loch 2.9 miles ~ 1000 feet gain
Sky Pond 4.4 miles ~ 1720 feet gain

Most of all, take your time and HAVE FUN! Then everyone will enjoy the trip.

[the-outdoorsman]

Well we did the sky pond hike today. My wife made it to the Timberline Falls. There wasn't anyway she was going to do that. There was water running down the part you had to climb up. I went up and checked out Lake of Glass. Lots of low clouds so that was a bit of a disapointment but what a great hike up to it. Lots of falls a long the way. The water was really running from all that snow melt. Lots of great views. We checked out Mills Lake on the way back since we were up there. I will say one thing, me and my wifes feet are killing us. We both wore merrells for shoes. Didn't seem like the souls held up over the rocks and rough terraine. Maybe our feet are just wimpy. What are some good boots to wear on hikes like that.