15 replies to this topic

[B-Jay]

Coming from the flatlands of Illinois, I'm never quite ready for the high altitudes of the Rockies. It takes me a few days to get acclimated. In the past I usually get started on a trail not too high or too long, such as Cub Lake or Mill Creek Basin. This year, however, I wanted to try something new. When I was reading information here on the forums, I believe it was Dr. Cloud who mentioned to start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and head down. I liked the idea of heading down rather than climbing on the first day.

We parked the car at the Bierstadt Lake parking area and took the bus to Glacier Gorge. From the trailhead we went the .25 mile to Glacier Gorge Junction where we saw this sign.



At this point we followed the trail toward Sprague Lake. I think one of the reasons this trail is not crowded is because if people see this sign they ask themselves why would they hike to Sprague Lake when they can drive right to it. The sign doesn't say anything about this being the Glacier Creek trail. In just a short time we came upon this gorgeous waterfall. I couldn't help but be surprised that there were no other people around and we had the falls to ourselves.



There were still a few wildflowers in bloom on this trail. I always enjoy seeing wildflowers in September.



It wasn't long until we came upon this unnamed lake. I can't believe a lake this pretty doesn't have a name. Maybe Ed has a name for this lake since he has named a few others.



It was around this time that we finally saw our first hiker on this trail. When we got to the spur trail for Sprague Lake, we saw three more people, but that was it until we got to the Sprague Lake picnic area where there were quite a few more people enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning. I didn't take any pictures of the lake since I knew we would be back there later in the week. However, I can never resist taking pictures of the resident ducks that hang around the picnic area. This one seems to be having a relaxing day.



We then took the spur trail back to the Storm Pass trail and headed back to the Bierstadt Lake parking lot. Even though this trail started out over 9,000', it was a gentle downhill and not at all strenuous--all in all, a good warm-up hike.

B-Jay

[Qbert]

I agree, this one is a lesser known beauty of a trail.
The waterfall is amazing and the lack of crowds is a welcome change to the better known falls.

Glad you had a fun hike.

[DrCloud]

This is also a wonderful snowshoe trail in the winter. If you don't like the packed-down trail itself, there's plenty of room (most of its length, at least) to tromp in the unpacked snow between the trail and the creek, with zero possibility of getting lost. (Well, except for some people here who will remain nameless. ) HPH

[mistylady]

That hike was one we started with this time, too. It was one we had never done before. We didn't meet anyone on the trail either. It was a great little hike. Very relaxing and peaceful.

[John]

I think it should be called B-Jay Pond. Wondermous pictures and report!

[mwilson]

We took that trail one time on a whim. We had hiked to Mills or the Loch and got back to the TH still feeling pretty energetic so we hiked all the way back to Glacier Basin Campground instead of catching the bus back. I bet it would be a good snowshoe hike. We'll have to keep that in mind when we are there for the Stomp. Your pics are great, B-Jay!

[Monica]

Well, I'm convinced we have to check this out next time. I love that waterfall!
Thanks for posting. Great report!

[Grannyheart]

I LOVE the pic of the falls!!!! That's a little stroll I'll definately be taking in the Spring. Thanks for sharing. :)

[Rhonda]

I have never taken that trail, but I definitely will! Fellow Stompers, let's do that on one of our acclimation hikes in March! But I also want to do that during regular hiking season and see the beautiful running creek and waterfalls. If you took the trail all the way to Sprague, does it come into Sprague at the "back" by the bridge where a trail takes off from the walk around Sprague? I've always wanted to take off down that trail but never knew for sure where it went.

[Primrose]

My recollection is that the shortest trail to Sprague actually ends up at the very far end of the Sprague Lake parking area (years ago there picnic tables back there - maybe they remain). The trail you mention, Rhonda, the one "behind" Sprague Lake, and which passes by the handicap campsite back there, basically goes to and from Glacier Basin Campground. I used to cross-country ski this area in the 70's and 80's, so things around Sprague may have changed, but the topo map shows the trails remain the same.

Barb

[Rhonda]

Thanks, Barb. I do remember seeing the sign about the handicap campground so that is the same trail. Coming into the area where the picnic tables were (still are, I believe) makes more sense to my mental compass.

[DrCloud]

There's something of a network of trails on the bench west of Sprague Lake, including the east end of the Glacier Creek Trail. Here's a simplified map (the USGS Topos are pretty busy):

[dianeh85]

Beautiful photo of the waterfall. I think this might be a goodone for X country skis too. I am pretty clumsy on them and always looking for a gentle down slope. thanks for finding this and posting the great pics!

[Primrose]

Wow, I would love to know how I, too, could place captions and lines on maps. Is this with Google Earth? I'm not terribly computer savvy, but I occasionally need to send maps with trail info or directions to our home. Can you tell me what I would need to be able to do this? Thanks!!

Envious,
Barb

DrCloud, on 09 October 2011 - 02:24 PM, said:

There's something of a network of trails on the bench west of Sprague Lake, including the east end of the Glacier Creek Trail. Here's a simplified map (the USGS Topos are pretty busy):

[DrCloud]

Primrose, on 09 October 2011 - 04:52 PM, said:

Wow, I would love to know how I, too, could place captions and lines on maps. Is this with Google Earth? I'm not terribly computer savvy, but I occasionally need to send maps with trail info or directions to our home. Can you tell me what I would need to be able to do this? Thanks!!

Envious,
Barb

That's a screen capture of part of a map from TopoUSA, a DeLorme product that I have, imported into PowerPoint and annotated that way, then exported to a jpg file. Win7 has (I think) a screen capture utility (although I use one called HyperSnap). HPH