hiking
views
wildlife
wild flowers
walking
no dogs
forest
nature trips
birding
lake
river
horseback riding
waterfall
kid friendly
trail running
snowshoeing
camping
fishing
backpacking
fly fishing
dogs on leash
wheelchair friendly
cross country skiing
This section of the Rocky Mountains has ecosystems varying in elevation from the over 150 riparian lakes to Montane and subalpine forests to the alpine tundra. Large wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and cougars inhabit these igneous mountains and glacier valleys. The fourteener Longs Peak and Bear Lake are popular destinations.
It was a great little hike. We enjoyed the drive up past 12,000 ft!
Thank you to everyone who repaired the trail this summer. It's one of my favorites.
Very good trail. Features 4 lakes and they're all beautiful.
Ferns. Nuff said.
Favorite destination in Estes Park. Made a snowman in June and hopped across the mini icebergs in the lake.
Beautiful views. A must see on the way to Emerald Lake.
Still snow on the ground in June. Parents decided to stop early because of a side-ways sloped snow/ice surface we had to cross to get to the lake. Jaw-dropping view. Would definitely go again.
Simple hike to start your day while still getting some nice views.
Fun trail. View of the lake with the mountains in the background is incredible.
Beautiful trail. Never a disappointing moment throughout.
This is only a 7.3 mile hike if you start from the Allenspark Trailhead. If you start at the Finch Lake Trailhead it says it is 10 miles round trip but my GPS clocked 8.8 to the lake and back. Also this was not an "easy" hike. It is definitely more on the moderate side with a steady 4 mile climb to Finch Lake. Nice hike through thick forest most of the way. An occasional nice shot of the Wild Basin area but no peak views. The lake is very nice and quiet with some nice peaks surrounding. It was very quiet the day we were there.
We did the hike to Sky Pond in early August '17 and it was beautiful. I've done lots of hikes around the US and this is one of my favorite. Definitely in my top 5.