Finch Lake from Finch Lake Trailhead

Did this hike on Mon 2/1 and didn’t see a single person the entire time. The first couple of miles aren’t that impressive but the views get amazing after that. It’s a pretty steady incline to the lake, so I’d call it on the hard side of moderate. The trailhead is closed for the season so you need to park .8 miles further back adding 1.6 miles round trip. It’s all super worth it!

Hike 12/31/2020. I had the same experience as Joe Nowlan in the review below. I started just shy of the winter parking area (which adds approximately 1.4 miles of easy round-trip distance). Hiked from app. 1130 hours until 1730 hours. I saw two skiers and one hiker on the trail though there were many at the lot, presumably hiking the other branch. Wore spikes, which I found to be perfect for the trail. As noted, you can make the entire distance without needing to post hole. Great fews from multiple locations and I can't wait to hike up to Pear and beyond on a future trip. Good moderate trail and there wasn't any point that I found tricky.

Hiked today 12/30/20 and was somewhat packed down. Road in wild basin was busy but only 2 hikers and a skier on the way up to the lake. Crampons would have been nice, only had ice cleats and they weren’t great in the snow. Only post holed when I strayed off of the loose snow over packed trail. Anyways beautiful views of meeker and longs and the basin through the trees. Snow blowing off of Copeland mountain etc. was cool to watch

Snow on 95% of the trail. Took us 3hrs to get to Finch Lake and 2hrs to get back to winter parking. Finch Lake is fully iced over. I feel like with the snow the trail could be rated as hard as opposed to moderate.

Hiked on 11/11/20 - hike was 10miles round trip from the Finch Lake trailhead and took 3 hrs up to the lake and 2 to come down. The road up to the trailhead was closed - we parked and had to walk ~0.8miles to get to the trailhead. Most of the trail was covered in snow but it was not icy at all - some fallen trees that we had to navigate over but very doable. The snow definitely added difficulty to the already long hike but it was very beautiful. Gorgeous views of the mountains and the lake was completely frozen and amazing. First mile or so was uphill (not too steep) and then was a good mix of incline and flat trail. You are hiking in the forest among trees for the majority with some great views of the mountain along the way.

Did out and back hike from TH at Wild Basin. Starts out steep and rocky then levels off for a while then steep and rocky until the lake. A 1/4 mile before the lake, trail drops down all the way to the lake. Trail almost all in trees with a few lookouts at magnificent mountain peaks. The lake itself is good payout for a rigorous hike nestled below mountains with evergreen clad hills. The water is clear and reflective of the scenery. Parking available at 7:45 am on a Monday and used the timed entry permit. Day was chilly to start at 31 deg. but warmed up with sun and clear skies. Took us 6.5 hours to cover 8.8 miles and measured 1,750 net elevation gain.

The trail gains elevation rapidly from the Finch Lake trailhead. The trail is narrow and rocky, but scenic and well-built with a good trailbase. Good views of Mt. Meeker and the Long's Peak area. A good variety of Aspen coloring this week. The descent to Calypso Cascades is rocky but gentle. Enjoy the N. St. Vrain Creek and Copeland Falls on the wide, slow descent back to the Wild Basin trailhead. The two trailheads are about 1/4 mile apart. Look for the trail between them as an alternative to walking the road.

Hike was beautiful! Such a well maintained trail. First mile is moderate but up; then flattens, then two more moderate+ uphill miles and flats, until a descent to the lake. Stunning! Very few people on the trail. Take a minute to dip your toes in the creek before the last mile to lake, it’s perfect. *Note: both Apple and Garmin said ~1700 ft elevation gain to lake one way.

Great trail - really enjoyed the hike. The first 2 miles was really easy and flat and then uphill hike to the lake. There was not a lot of people, not even 10 while hiking on the trail. Trail is well marked and dry - cannot get lost.

Beautiful trail. I hiked in and camped in early June, and it snowed overnight. Just added to the beauty of hiking out! Trail is well-maintained and well-marked. Wild Basin area had many trees down when I went, so the road to the trailhead was closed- I had to hike almost 2 miles from the Sandbeach Lake trailhead (entrance to the park) to reach it.

Great trail. Beautiful views. The majority of the trail has snow on it today. Traction was not necessary.

A great stroll through the woods! I arrived just before 7am and parking wasn’t a problem, though there are not a ton of spaces at the TH (about 15). If needed, there is much more parking down the road by the Wild Basin TH / ranger station and the walk back to the Finch Lake TH is quick and easy. You’ll enjoy a lot of tree cover on this trail, so it’s perfect for a hot day. The trail consists of moderate climbing with some level sections to catch your breath. The terrain is rocky and dry, except for a few areas where there is some run off and it gets a touch muddy. There are a few lovely moments when you get great views of the basin as well as surrounding peaks. Though Finch Lake is beautiful, I prefer Sandbeach Lake and Ouzel Lake in regards to hikes-to-lakes in the wild basin area.

beautiful hike. tough workout. lake is amazing. not crowded. bring plenty of water and snacks.

Definitely a snowshoeing Trail right now! The winter gate is closed, it probably adds about a mile and a half round trip to the hike. Beautiful winter hike! Trees protect you from wind the entire way to the lake!