Four mile loop with wide variety of settings including mountain lake, rushing streams, clear wide river, deep woods, open meadows, rocky mountainsides, cool bridges, etc. Best return on effort. Relatively level – good for kids and grandparents. Dogs are allowed but there are moose, so keep them on leash. Pass required, stop at booth for day pass OR display your America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
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This is my favorite trail! It’s part of RMNP, but the East Inlet Trailhead is actually located on the eastern end of Grand Lake. (So you don’t even need a park pass.) If you hike to Lake Verna, it’s about 13 miles round trip with quite a bit of elevation gain. But fear not, however far you go on this trail, it’s worth it! Adams Falls is less than half a mile from parking lot and Lone Pine Lake is a nice lunch destination.
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Green Mountain Trail is the shortest distance to Big Meadow. Continue on around Big Meadow to Granite Falls. The first couple miles are a bit…uphill…but surrounded by forest, you may not realize you are climbing a mountain. Take it slow and take breaks if you need to! Part of this trail was caught in the wildfire a few years back. The trail is safe to hike again, and there’s a certain beauty to the damaged areas. It’s amazing to watch nature repair itself.
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Colorado River Trailhead can take you many places. It starts with a very steep incline, but is relatively flat for quite a ways after that, so it’s a nice choice for families. It has a variety of landscapes and landmarks, so you can enjoy a nice hike, however long or short. The trail follows the river, but if you can make past the Lulu City sign, to where it crosses the river, we often see moose there. It makes a nice goal for kids. (Just don’t promise moose!)
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You will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the High Lonesome Trailhead. It starts fairly high and much of the trail is above the beetle-kill line. (So we can remember and look forward to green trees again!) Trail has wide variety but the alpine lake at the end is just breathtaking. The trail is not as well traveled or marked as some, when on the rocky areas, look for the cairn – stacks of rocks – to lead you on.
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