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Alternative Walk - Best of Bear Lake Area Loop Walk

Hiking route · United States of America

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Macs Adventure

Meadows along Bear Lake
Photo: Minna Harshbarger, Macs Adventure

Your day starts and ends at the Bear Lake trailhead, this wonderful loop hits on many of Rocky Mountain National Park's biggest attractions.

Distance 8.7 km

2:49 h

289 m

3,122 m

2,833 m

Enjoy a shorter alternative hike if the trail from Fern Lake is too snowy to descend. Along this trail, you'll have the opportunity to take in the views at four beautiful lakes as well as one stunning set of cascade before you return to the car park where you started.

Author’s recommendation

Embark on this trail if our Bear Lake to Fern Lake point to point the walk is too snowy.

Author

Minna Harshbarger

Update: July 17, 2019

Highest point

3,122 m

Lowest point

2,833 m

Track types

Show elevation profile

Tips and hints

Points of Interest

Fern Lake

The trail goes right past Fern Lake, so it's hard to miss! A bridge takes you right over the lake and then passes the Fern Lake Patrol Cabin, a former ranger station. The cabin was built in 1925 and is included in the US National Register of Historic Places.

Fern Falls

Depending on the time of year (and how much snow the region got during the winter), the falls can be anywhere from a trickle to a deluge! No matter how much water is flowing, however, it's always a good stopping point to snap a picture and cool off in the mist of the falls.

Start

Bear Lake Trailhead (2,899 m)

Coordinates:

40.312025, -105.646082

DMS

40°18'43.3"N 105°38'45.9"W

UTM

13T 445102 4462590

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Destination

Bear Lake Trailhead

Note

all notes on protected areas

Coordinates

40.312025, -105.646082

DMS

40°18'43.3"N 105°38'45.9"W

UTM

13T 445102 4462590

w3w

///address.decoration.landlady

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

We recommend wearing hiking boots that are well broken-in, plus a rain jacket and waterproof trousers in wet weather, as well as taking sun cream and a hat on nicer days.

In your information pack, you’ll find a detailed list of all the required hiking gear, including some good hiking boots, appropriate clothing, a rain jacket and a backpack.

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Photos from others

Distance

8.7 km

Duration

2:49 h

Ascent

289 m

Descent

289 m

Highest point

3,122 m

Lowest point

2,833 m

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