Hiking – Missing Route/Place

From the trailhead, we'll take the standard trail system past Mills and Jewel Lakes.  Beyond Jewel and about half-way to Black Lake, we'll leave the trail and make the sometimes-difficult crossing of Glacier Creek where we will pick up a social trail.  It'll be steep but is obvious.  It'll take us to Shelf Lake.  This is a gem of a lake.  It's in-flowing waters from the higher Solitude Lake cascade over the white granite walls in multiple places.  We'll walk on the easy slab granite up to Solitude Lake.  The broad basin up here invites exploration.  We'll look specifically for "Snapping Turtle Rock" - a formation you'd swear was made by humans, but you know it could not have been.  For lunch, the plan is to make the short climb to the obvious NE ridge of Arrowhead.  From this vantage point, we'll be above both lakes and we can look out over the vast Upper Glacier Gorge basin below Longs Peak.  Black Lake will be below us - a unique vantage point.  We will return the way we came but will probably use the "Fire Trail" going back to avoid the crowds and shorten the distance.

Our pace will be on the slow side of moderate and comfortable to all.  Expect 9-10 hours car-to-car.  The crossing of Glacier Creek requires a long step of about 3 feet.  It's more of a "leap of faith" but is easily made.  The water below is cold and runs fast but we always get across!

After the creek crossing, the trail ascends steeply - very steeply - and gains some 920' over just 0.4 miles.  There are a few downed trees early.  The trail is mostly dirt but there is some talus to deal with as we near the lake.  It is shaded.  We will ascend slowly and carefully with frequent rests as we keep the group tightly together.  Be patient with your fellow hikers and expect almost 1.5 hours to get up this section!  Getting down will take just as long.  This cannot be done in the rain.  If rain threatens or starts, we will retreat and do something else.

Meet Location:  Bear Lake Trailhead, Beaver Meadows Entrance, Rocky Mountain National Park.  A daily use fee or a Park Pass is required for entry.  Reservations are required to enter Bear Lake Road AFTER 5 AM so each car going in will need one.  We will get these the evening before when they go up for sale.  An email will go out to the roster explaining this.  Meet at the bus stop pavilion by the Ranger Station at Bear Lake at 6:30 AM.  There will be ample parking there.  There is a toilet at the trailhead.

All trip participants must be fully vaccinated.  If you are starting to feel sick, cancel yourself from the trip.

Please read the trip description carefully and only sign up if you have the qualifications expected.

Out of courtesy to others, please do not sign up for this trip unless you fully intend to be there.

I will send out an email a day or two before the trip with pertinent details.