Rocky Mountain National Park

Fern Lake-Cub Lake trail loop is a moderate hike about 6 miles round-trip. Starting at the Fern Lake trailhead, the Fern Lake trail follows the Big Thompson River all the way to the Cub Lake trail junction. At this point Fern Creek joins the Big Thompson River, and the confluence is known as the Pool. Fern Lake trail climbs fairly steeply past the junction over the next seven-tenths of a mile to Fern Falls. Fern Lake is an easy hike from Fern Falls. On the return trip pick up Cub Lake trail at the junction near the Pool. Follow the trail past Cub Lake to the Cub Lake trailhead, which is about six-tenths of a mile east of the Fern Lake trailhead where you started the hike.

The Flattop Mountain trail from Bear Lake trailhead is a strenuous 8.8 mile out and back hike with an elevation gain of 2850 ft. The first mile or so takes you around Bear Lake to the junction with the Flattop Mountain trail. At this point the trail becomes a steeper climb, reaching the Dream Lake overlook after about a half mile. Next stop is Emerald Lake overlook at about 12,000 ft. From this point it's roughly another mile of climbing over barren tundra to the summit of Flattop Mountain. It's a little hard to tell when you've reached the exact summit because it's relatively flat (hence the name of the mountain). The junction of the North Inlet and Tonahutu Creek trails can be considered the summit. Once on top you have a fantastic 360° panorama of the surrounding mountains (Hallett Peak, Ptarmigan Point, Mummy range, etc). So enjoy the view, catch your breath, and have a snack before cruising back down the mountain.

The hike to Chasm Lake begins at the Longs Peak trailhead. It's 8.5 miles out and back with a 2500 ft elevation gain and is rated as strenuous. Most of the hike is on East Longs Peak trail. The junction with the Chasm Lake trail is reached about 3.4 miles from the trailhead. Once on the Chasm Lake trail you climb past Peacock Pool and Columbine Falls and then scramble up a rock wall that forms the front of the cirque in which Chasm Lake is located. At this point you're gasping for breath but you've made it to the lake. Sit back, relax, have lunch, and enjoy some of the most dramatic views you are ever likely to see. And remember, it's all downhill from here.

The hike to Sky Pond is 9 miles out and back with a 1780 ft elevation gain and is rated as strenuous. The hike starts at Glacier Gorge trailhead and continues on North Longs Peak trail to Mills Junction. Past this point the trail becomes steep and you need to pay attention to trail signs as there are a couple more junctions on the route. About 3 miles from the trailhead you will come to Loch Vale, commonly called "The Loch". Next up is Timberline Falls and then some serious scrambling up rock ledges to reach Lake of Glass, aka Glass Lake. The trail above the lake is rugged, but short, taking you to Sky Pond. Terrain and views at Sky Pond are absolutely incredible, making this one of the best hikes in the park. Taylor Peak and Sharkstooth soar dramatically into the sky and surround the cirque in which Sky Pond is nestled (I'm waxing poetic here).

The hike to Hallett Peak is 10.3 miles out and back with a 3240 ft elevation gain and is strenuous. Most of the hike takes you to the top of Flattop Mountain and is described in the 1997 visit above. From Flattop Mountain you need to climb another 400 ft in seven-tenths of a mile to reach the summit of Hallett Peak. The extra effort is well worth it. Views are superb.