My favorite long and scenic hike in RMNP! This is a 9 mile roundtrip, moderately difficult SHUTTLE hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake. Takes advanced planning and coordination for it to happen! First, secure your Timed Entry for the Bear Lake Corridor for 6am on June 26th! This allows a 2-hour window to enter the park by 8am.
We'll enjoy spectacular views of Longs Peak, the Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Peak and Chiefs Head Peak, looking towards the south. Plan on stops along the way to catch our breath and enjoy the view of Lake Helene and Notchtop Mountain. To the right, looking west-northwest, is 12,331-foot Knobtop Mountain. To the south is 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain, and in between, sitting behind Flattop and Notchtop, is 12,363-foot Ptarmigan Point. Then we'll begin our descent into the spectacular Odessa Gorge where Grace Falls drops more than a hundred feet down its steep slopes. For the next half-mile or so, as we proceed down the western slopes of Joe Mills Mountain, we'll enjoy spectacular views of Little Matterhorn and The Gable, as well as Odessa Lake sitting more than 500 feet in the valley below! Let's have lunch and explore Odessa Lake before making the descent to the Fern Lake Trailhead parking lot where our cars will be waiting for our tired feet! Flip flops feel so good at this point!
Note: Car Shuttles can be confusing, so only RSVP if you understand how a shuttle works and if you can volunteer to drive. We'll need extra drivers for the car shuttle to work, e.g., 12 hikers need 5-6 drivers.
ALL drivers meet at the Fern Lake Trailhead where we'll leave half of the cars. The other half will load up hikers and drive to the Bear Lake parking lot where we'll start the hike.
We'll finish the hike at the Fern Lake parking lot where we've left half the cars. These cars will take drivers back to cars left at Bear Lake. Adds some time but less than taking the park shuttle!
Dog Free Hike... No dogs allowed in RMNP.
What to bring: This is Colorado and the weather can change in a minute. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking clothing, waterproof boots, backpack, snacks, and water. Make sure you have in your pack in case you need it - rain gear, hat, gloves, extra socks, and extra layers, etc. Make it the best experience possible by being prepared!
Lunch: This will be a full day adventure, so bring lots of snacks, a hearty lunch to enjoy at Odessa Lake and plenty of water.
Directions to Trailhead: North on US36 through Boulder, continue West through Lyons, CO 36 to Estes Park. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance turn left on Bear Lake Road and follow to signs for Moraine Park Campground and Cub Lake. Veer left at the fork towards Cub/Fern Lake Trailhead. Drive past the Fern Lake Shuttle Stop to the Fern Lake Trailhead parking lot.
Cost: $2 Timed Entry with National Parks Pass. If you're a shuttle driver, timed entry must match a parks pass.
Carpooling: Meet at the free dirt parking lot located on the northeast corner of Hiway 93 and 170 (Marshall Road) where we'll form carpools and leave by 6:00am.
See you there!
Important Note: This is a participate at your own risk event!
Life is risky. I am not a professional guide. By signing up for this event you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
