21 replies to this topic

[GLENNinPA]

I'm sure this will take me a few posts.

Jenny's trip report this morning prompted me to write this report. As I was reading about the Odessa part of her report it brought back memories of what is one of the park's best hikes.

My daughter Kelsey & I did this hike back in late June. We started off at Bear Lake around 7:30am or so. The hike starts off on the Flattop Mountain Trail. It is mostly up hill for a good bit and is pretty uneventful. Some nice views to the south as well as to the East at times. Once you get to the Flattop trail junction, the trail levels off a bit with some up hill climbing. Then it is pretty much downhill from there.

As you hike around the northern slopes of Flattop the trail opens up and you get your first views of Notchtop Mountain.


The trail heads back into a wooded area. I checked the map and thought that we could follow a stream to get to Two Rivers Lake. I think we went off trail a bit too early and couldn't seem to find a good way to get to the lake. Back on the trail I spotted a small lake down below the other side of the trail. We headed down to explore. It was very near the Sourdough campsite (does anyone know the name?) It was very secluded, so we hung out for quite a bit and enjoyed a snack.


We headed back up to the trail. On our way to Lake Helene, Kelsey said "Hey Dad, where does this go?' There was a small path that I had walked right by. I said "I don't know, let's check it out." It was just a small little walk up to a nice size rock outcropping. I think it is part of Joe Mill's Mountain. We climbed up to a nice flat area and "bam" the whole area opened up to views of the entire gorge. Notchtop, Gabletop, Little Matterhorn, Odessa Lake and even the Mummy Range in the distance. Now I knew why everyone loves this hike so much.


Kelsey enjoying the views.


Notchtop & Grace falls.


More to come.

[GLENNinPA]

We didn't want to leave this beautiful view, bit knew we had to eventually. We hiked back to the trail and headed to Lake Helene. Lake Helene was a nice lake with a muddy, marshy shoreline. We found a little path that was dry.

Kelsey checking out the lake.


We didn't stay long at the lake and decided to head on down the trail. At this point in the trail it pretty much does a 180 and heads in the direction of Odessa Lake. The trail becomes very rocky at this point. You are hiking along a slope with beautiful reddish rocks & boulders everywhere. At one point the trail was totally covered in a snowfield, but it already had tracks so it was easy to traverse. You can see all the rocks as well.


The trail eventually leads back into a wooded area and makes it's way down to Odessa Lake. There is a junction for a trail to the lake and then a small foot bridge that crosses the outlet stream.


At the lake we did some exploring and had lunch. The mosquitos and flys were really bad at tis point.

Kelsey testing the waters of Odessa


Just a bit more.

[GLENNinPA]

Back on the trail we headed down to Fern Lake. At this point it was becoming somewhat cloudy and windy. It started to rain, which eventually lead to hail. The trail was back into a wooded area so weren't getting very wet. Just when we decided to put on our rain gear, it stopped.

Columbines on the way to fern.


Fern was also a beautiful lake, but we didn't stay too long. The bugs were really bad, so we moved on. We decided to skip Spruce Lake (which I regret a little) and headed down to Fern Falls. I was really impressed with Fern Falls. It was bigger than I thought it would be. We stayed there for a while, just relaxing to the sounds of the falls.


After the Falls, we hiked on down to The Pool. As Jenny said, The Pool is a nice relaxing spot. We climbed down so that we could hang out right next to it. We actually stayed there for a while also just relaxing and listening to the rushing water. Kelsey enjoyed throwing twigs and small branches into the water and watching them take off down the small rapids.


We decided not to go to Cub Lake and headed straight to the Fern Lake Trailhead to get the shuttle back to Bear Lake. When we got to the TH we realized that the shuttle didn't come all the way there. We had to walk further along a dirt road (which seemed to last forever). As we were getting close Kelsey asked "Wanna race?". I said "I could never run right now. (my ankles were killing me). Well a few minutes later we saw the shuttle bus rounding the bend. Guess what. We took off running. We did catch the shuttle as it was pulling out and took a nice relaxing ride back to Bear Lake.

This was definitely one of my favorite hikes in the park. The scenery, the lakes, the falls made it great, but experiencing it, just me and my daughter, made it priceless.

[John]

You are a great dad! Great story, great pictures, and great memories!

[Aaron]

Very cool Glenn! Thanks for the report!

--Aaron

[druwdowns]

Hikes just don't get any better than that!!!!

~Druw~

[becky]

This was definitely one of my favorite hikes in the park. The scenery, the lakes, the falls made it great, but experiencing it, just me and my daughter, made it priceless.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know what you mean, something about experiencing a beautiful place with my kids makes it all that much more special. Looks like it was wonderful, and congrats to your daughter on being such a great hiker!

Becky

[BukElgle]

Hikes just don't get any better than that!!!! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the report!!


Rick

[Rusti]

What a great memory for both you and your daughter. Thanks for sharing.

[Weasel]

and "bam" the whole area opened up

Emeril? Is that you?

When we got to the TH we realized that the shuttle didn't come all the way there. We had to walk further along a dirt road (which seemed to last forever).

Ahh yes, such wonderful memories that conjures up.

Great report Glenn. Glad you finally got to do it, and with your daughter too.

[mwilson]

Great report and pics, Glenn. We have so many precious memories of our time in the park with our two sons when they were young! I'm so glad that you and Kelsey got to share your time together.

Marsha

[hector]

Wow, great report and pictures, Glenn. It's awesome that it was just the two of you -- that is something very special, and I hope Kelsey knows how lucky she is to have a dad who takes the time to do stuff with her! You rock!

[Allie]

Great report, Glenn. Kelsey will never forget this time with her dad. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Allie

[Chad]

Thanks for great report Glenn. After all the positive trail reports, I'm definitely doing this hike next time.

Oh, and, GO STEELERS!

[foxfire]

Thanks GinPA! Very cool reprort and pix! Great hike with Kelsey --- ehh!?! Fox