15 replies to this topic

[soatley]

We were looking for a lighter hike today, after our long day hiking Lawn Lake TH to Chiquita. The three of us, Sandy, Ali, and I, got started a little later than usual at 7:00am. Even at that hour, the breeze is already warm in this area. It's always a good idea to get started early in the Cub Lake area to avoid the heat.



Our trail guide this morning was Peter.



If you plan to do this hike, check a topo map to get a better feel for the elevation gain. The difference between the Cub Lake TH and Bierstadt Lake is a little over 1300ft. However, after passing Cub Lake, you follow the Mill Creek Trail over the saddle between Mount Wuh and Steep Mountain. It's fairly steep on the way up, and you give back about half the gain as you descend back down to Mill Creek Basin.

The trail to Cub Lake is rugged at times, but not very steep. The way up the saddle on the Mill Creek trail is similar in steepness and ruggedness to the Fern Lake trail above The Pool.

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[soatley]

Wildflowers are plentiful along the way...





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[soatley]

At the top of the saddle, the trail becomes less rugged, and quickly drops down into a meadow filled with aspen.



Along the way down, there are some good spots to photograph Longs.



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[soatley]

We had done this hike in 2001 during our first trip to RMNP. Like last time, we found Bierstadt Lake to be very pretty. The views of the continental divide, from Flattop around to Longs, are quite nice. However, also like last time, this wasn't our favorite hike. The trail up to Bierstadt from Mill Creek Basin is filled with cobbles, and isn't the nicest walk. There are better routes to enjoy the views from the lake. Although it was a nice day with plenty of photo ops, and we had Mill Creek Basin to ourselves.

Once at the lake, we took a snack break, and enjoyed the views.





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[soatley]

A couple more photos from the lake...





We descended from the lake to the park and ride, and took a shuttle back to the Cub Lake TH.

Scott

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[TempestT-37]

Very nice

[bpv_UW]

Good advice about starting early in that area, it does get hot! Great report and pics (esp. the ones from the lake).

-Brandon

[SandyP]

Those are amazing photos! I LOVE those black and whites. I had never thought to do Bierstadt Lake in black and white, but it looks VERY dramatic and Ansel Adams-esque. The clouds were beautiful in those photos. Every time we go up there, the sky is smoothe and clear without a cloud in the sky.

These are awesome.

Ohhhhhhhh I can hardly wait to get my little camera up in the mountains again. Well, actually, my big camera that gets heavier every mile. But so worth it :)

[soatley]

My son had taken black & white photography in HS this past year, using my old SLR. That got me interested in using my digital's b&w feature. You can create b&w photos by converting your color shots to grey scale. However, many digitals have a true b&w setting. The advantage of that setting is the ability to use filters. Yellow, orange, and red filters progressively darken cyan skies. That's what brings out the clouds so nicely. In color, you can use a circular polarizing filter to increase color saturation. This can make a dramatic differenc with sky and clouds as well.

If your digital can use filters, try it out.

Scott

[workrelease]

Thanks for the nice pics.
I kinda agree with you that Bierstadt doesn't rank as one of the 'A+++' hikes. It's better than a needle in the eye, just not the best destination in the park.

[Bill 007]

Thanks for the nice pics.
I kinda agree with you that Bierstadt doesn't rank as one of the 'A+++' hikes.  It's better than a needle in the eye, just not the best destination in the park.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless....the Meese are frolickin'!

Bill

[workrelease]

Unless....the Meese are frolickin'!

Bill

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good point Bill!!

[BukElgle]

Nice photos and report - thanks!

Rick

[mwilson]

Thanks for sharing your report and pictures. We've done this hike in reverse a couple of times but starting at Bear Lake instead of the Park and Ride.

Marsha

[weatherbe]

Awesome photos! Nice job! Thanks for sharing!

Weather