Moraine Park

Elevation Gain: 1,375 ft.

Difficulty: Low-moderate to moderate

Trailhead: Moraine Park/Fern Lake Trailhead

Overall: Beginning to the pool along the Big Thompson.  Last 2 miles, more uphill, through the trees to Fern.

Lots of variety and options come your way on this beautiful hike in the Moraine Park area.  The trail to Fern Lake begins at the Fern Lake Trailhead and heads for 1.5 miles along the Big Thompson to the Pool.  This first section is easy and pleasant.  From the Pool, the trail begins to climb, first to Fern Falls then upward to Fern Lake.  To make things more interesting on the way down, you can opt to take the Cub Lake Trail from the Pool.  From the Cub Lake Trailhead you’ll need to walk the short distance back to your car at Fern Lake.

Elevation Gain: 1,865 ft.

Difficulty: Moderate to more difficult

Trailhead:  Fern Lake Parking Lot

Overall:  If Fern Lake is beautiful, then Odessa is spectacular.  Worth the extra effort

Too many people stop at Fern Lake when only .6 miles further sits one of the most spectacular lakes in the park.  Odessa can be reached by way of Fern Lake or a great option is to start at Bear Lake and hike down from Lake Helene.  You can do this with 2 vehicles (one at Bear Lake and one at Fern Lake Trailhead) or you can pick up the shuttle.  If you have enough steam you can hike a loop and return to Bear Lake via Mt. Wuh and Mill Creek Basin.  This last option is somewhere around 9-11 miles and requires a good pull over Mt. Wuh..