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| Cub Lake |
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| Cub Lake Trail-head |
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park; Cub Lake Trail-head out at Fern Lake Trail-head in Moraine Park
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 8,000 feet at trail-head to 8,700 (700 foot elevation gain)
Time of year best to hike: Late June to early October
Recommended Maps:
Rocky Mountain National Park
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| Mother Deer and Fawn |
Summary: This fairly easy trail starts heading south along the western edge of Moraine Park, but soon turns west and heads slightly up in elevation into a very tame and seldom rocky canyon. The trail is very well worn. I got a 6:30 AM start and was all alone; at later hours this can be a very busy path. 2.3 miles after meandering along meadows, aspen groves, beaver ponds, and Rocky Mountain splendor, the lily pond Cub Lake presents itself.
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| The Pool on the Big Thompson |
I continued northwest past the lake to the Pool section of the Big Thompson River, another 1.0 mile beyond Cub Lake. I like hiking loops. At the pool, I change my direction to east on the Fern Lake trail and head 1.7 miles to the trail-head. From here, I have a one mile walk back to the Cub Lake Trail-head on a dirt road overgrown and covered by noisy aspen. Upon my exit, both Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trail-head parking lots were full. It was Thursday, first week in August.
Highlights: herd of elk, otter, deer and her fawn, Cub Lake, roaring Big Thompson River, Arch Rocks, The Pool
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| Arch Rocks |
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| Bridge Crossing - Big Thompson |
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| Beaver Evidence |
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| Big Thompson River |
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| Exit - Fern Lake Trail-head |
Summary: The Tonto Trail follows the mighty Colorado for more
than 70 miles. The section hiked here was a mere portion of that. The
trail is approximately a thousand feet above the river (tattooed into
the Tonto Plateau)
and offers many viewing opportunities of the churning waters. Feeding
the Colorado are numerous drainages, washes, creeks, and rivers. The
11.5 mile section that connects the Hermit Trail and the Bright Angel
Trail crosses at least four of these obstacles: Monument Creek, Cedar
Spring, Salt Creek, and Horn Creek. Each provides unique beauty and
adventure and a back-country campground. Monument Creek is the deepest
and largest. Overall the trail is well marked as it has consistent
albeit light use. Other than the climb out of Monument Creek, the trail
is fairly easy. The catch is that you have to hike 3,000 feet down and
back out of the canyon to get here.
Directions: From the Beaver Meadow Visitor Center, drive into the park, pass Bear Lake Road and take the next left to the Upper Beaver Meadows Trail-head and Picnic Area, but as soon as you do, park at the first and immediate dirt turn off on the left side of the road. From here, you will see a trail heading southwest, follow this over the little hill and down to the Beaver Brook crossing. Once you cross the Brook, you will hit a well maintained trial, you can start your loop heading either left or right. With map in hand you should be able to find you loop trail.
Summary: This loop hike doesn't really have a name. I looked at my map and decided this looked good to get in an easy hike, with at least one stream crossing, for the kids. For the newborn, it was his first real hike, but I think he slept the whole time, but whatever. The hike was quick and flat. There were great views of the surrounding mountains. There was nothing spectacular about this hike, but it met all my objectives of being fun, fast, and friendly for the toddlers and the baby toting parents.
