Rocky Mountain National Park: Bear Lake and Alberta Falls (Blog Hike #815)

Trails: Bear Lake Nature and Glacier Gorge Trails
Hike Location: Rocky Mountain National Park
Geographic Location: west of Estes Park, CO (40.31182, -105.64255)
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2020
Overview: A semi-loop to two popular destinations, Bear Lake and Alberta Falls.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=824186
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Estes Park, take US 36 west 3.9 miles to Bear Lake Road, which is reached just after passing through the entrance station for Rocky Mountain National Park.  Turn left on Bear Lake Rd. and drive Bear Lake Rd. 5.1 miles to the Bear Lake Park-and-Ride on the right.  Park in the large parking lot, then ride the free park shuttle up to the Bear Lake Trailhead, where this hike begins.  If the park shuttle is not operating (i.e. in non-peak season), you will have to drive all of the way to Bear Lake Trailhead and park there.

The hike: For my general comments on Rocky Mountain National Park (called "Rocky" for short), see my hike at the Wild Basin area in the park's southeast corner.  This hike is located near the center of the park, and it passes two of Rocky's most popular hiking destinations: Bear Lake and Alberta Falls.  Even better, you can take advantage of the park's free shuttle to eliminate some of the climbing on the return route if you come here when the shuttle is operating.  While this hike is not the longest or hardest of the 5 hikes I did in Rocky, it may be my favorite.

Bear Lake Trailhead

            This hike starts with a trip around the 0.6 mile Bear Lake Nature Trail, which circumnavigates its namesake lake.  Of the two trails that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead, take the one to the right and quickly reach the trail split that forms the loop around Bear Lake.  A large sign with a trail map stands here.  Some numbered posts correspond to an interpretive guide published by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy; this guide was available for purchase at the Bear Lake Trailhead ranger outpost when I came here.  To follow the posts in increasing order, this description turns right here and uses the trail going left as its return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise.

View across Bear Lake toward Hallett Peak

            In only a couple hundred feet, you reach the main west-facing overlook across the length of Bear Lake.  12,713-foot Hallett Peak on the Continental Divide dominates this view, and it appears as a rectangular chunk of rock that still bore a little snow on my late July visit.  Continuing around the lake, ignore the trail that exits right for Bierstadt Lake and more distant destinations.  The next view looks south across Bear Lake and features 14,259-foot Longs Peak, the highest point in Rocky.  The interpretive guide describes the flora of the area, which include aspen, fir, and spruce trees.

View of Longs Peak (2nd peak from left)

            The trail undulates slightly, and a couple of rocky areas need to be negotiated as you round the west side of Bear Lake.  There are no famous mountain views from this side of the lake, but the clear shiny water is just as appealing.  At 0.6 miles, you close the Bear Lake Nature Trail's loop.  Angle right to get back to the Bear Lake Trailhead, then turn sharply right to begin the other trail that leaves this trailhead.  At the next intersection, angle left to head for Alberta Falls.

Heading to Alberta Falls

            The wide dirt trail descends moderately through a dense pine forest while passing some rock outcrops.  Winding Bear Lake Road appears to the left just before you cross one of Glacier Creek's many tributaries and reach a trail intersection.  The trail going left leads to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead shuttle stop, and we will take it at the end of the hike.  For now, continue straight to keep heading to Alberta Falls.

Descending toward Alberta Falls

            The trail begins a gradual climb as it crosses another tributary of Glacier Creek.  The total elevation gain on this hike is only about 200 vertical feet, so most people can manage the grade despite the 9000+ feet of altitude.  At 1.5 miles, you reach a cliff high above rushing Glacier Creek as the trail curves sharply right.

Tributary of Glacier Creek

            1.7 miles into the hike, you reach Alberta Falls.  The ribbon-type waterfall is about 30 feet high, and Glacier Creek provides plenty of water to fall.  The sheer rock surroundings make for a stark setting.  Rocky may have more attractive waterfalls, but the ease of access and high water volume make Alberta Falls one of the most popular waterfalls in the park.  Take a few minutes to enjoy the falling water.

Alberta Falls

            The trail continues past Alberta Falls and leads to other waterfalls and subalpine lakes, but all of those destinations require harder hikes to reach.  Thus, I turned around at Alberta Falls, retraced my steps to the first creek, and then turned right to hike the trail down to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.  Ignore a trail that exits right and heads into the park's backcountry, and descend on a moderate to steep grade to cross Chaos Creek on a footbridge.  A gradual climb brings you to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and the end of this hike.  Return to your car by riding the shuttle bus back downhill to the Bear Lake Park-and-Ride.