RMNP - Seven Lakes Loop (attempt #1)

A few years ago four of us went on a hike from Bear Lake to the Fern Lake TH, then shuttled back to Bear Lake.  This hike took us past several lakes in RMNP.  It was a beautiful hike, but was pretty difficult for us at the time.  I've wanted to retrace those steps, but hike all the way in a loop.  After looking at the map and having been on parts of most of the loop, I decided on a counter-clockwise loop hike from the  Hollowell TH to Cub Lake, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake, Lake Helene, Two Rivers Lake, Bear Lake, and Bierstadt Lake.  This would be about a 14 mile hike with about 3700 feet in elevation gain.  I chose counter-clockwise to tackle the long and/or steep climbs at the beginning of the hike.  I waited until June in the hopes that enough snow would be gone that I could make the trip. Maximum elevation would be about 10500 ft. 

I picked a beautiful Friday with expected highs in the low 70s, with only a slight chance of thunderstorms.  I knew it would be a long day, so I got an early start.  I was up on the Hollowell TH by 8:00a.  Off I went.

Hollowell Park TH

The last time I was at Hollowell TH there was snow on the ground and I had my snowshoes on for a loop to the Mills Creek Basin Campground, so I pretty much knew what to expect.  I quickly got to Mills Creek Basin and found it snowless, but green as green can be.

Mills Creek Basin

A turn to the Northwest and a steady mile plus climb of the ridge between Mills Creek Basin and Cub Lake.  Once on the top of the ridgeline it was a steep, rocky descent to Cub Lake and the Pool.  As you can see the area around Cub Lake was burned several years ago and is only now starting to recover.

Cub Lake

I soon reached the Pool, but only after tripping on a rock or two.  Aargh!  I guess that's what I get when my family tells me I shuffle my feet.  Again, the last time I was at the Pool it was frozen and snow covered.  Wow, not now.

Upstream from the Pool bridge

Downstream from the Pool bridge

Now began the long steady climb to Fern Lake.  The trail to Fern Lake is about 2 miles in length and pretty much uphill the whole way.  However, about a mile and half in you get to stop and admire Fern Falls.   This was the first time in about 10 years I had seen Fern Falls flowing water.  Wow, what a rush!

Fern Falls

Soon I was at the Fern Lake Patrol Cabin and ready for the 'final ascent' to Odessa Lake.  Up to this point I had only encountered occasional patches of snow.

Fern Lake (1)

Fern Lake (2)

What I quickly learned was that the time on the snowless trail was over.  As I climbed and climbed to Odessa Lake, I encountered, a few snowdrifts that covered the trail.  These were easily walked over as there had been other hikers to tromp down the snow and the day was still young so the snow was solid and not mushy.  

What's a little snow!?

Soon however, the snowdrifts turned into a steady continuous covering of moderately deep snow (1-2 ft), which was still pretty firm.  About halfway to Odessa the 'social trail' deviated from the official trail because the official trail was not passable under the current snow conditions.  I followed the social trail, but soon it became clear that I missed something somewhere and would need to route-find my way back to the real trail.  No problem finding the trails, but it took a little map reading, compass reading, and GPS looking to make sure.

Trail?  What trail?

So, back on the trail and more snow to Odessa Lake.  I decided to take lunch at Odessa Lake.  While eating my lunch I heard what sounded like an airplane passing, so I looked up to where the sound was and that was no airplane.  That was an avalanche about a mile across the canyon from me!  Oh my!  It was impressive, but it definitely got me thinking ...  I got back on the trail, ready to head for the final turn and home. But ...

Odessa Lake

Little Matterhorn

The snow was getting deeper, it was getting later and warmer, but most importantly I began to see signs of avalanches on my side of the canyon.  I persevered, because I was only about a half mile from the turn and home, but became steadily concerned.  Finally, the Lord and I had a discussion and I decided to turn back.  Since I was well over half way through the hike, turning around meant two things; 1) the hike would be much longer that I originally planned and 2) I would not get home when I said I would.  So while thinking about all that, I discovered I had cell service!!!  Wow, someone was looking out for me.  So I texted home and said 'all is well, ran into snow, turning around, will be late'.  Or at least something to that affect.

OK, time to turn around

The climb down was difficult.  I again encountered the area where the 'social' trail deviated from the official trail and had to route-find my way back.  This time is was much more difficult to route-find.  I ended up making several 'downhill' moves that were dead-ends and had to return back up the way I came.  By this time the snow was wet, soggy, and I was getting tired.  But, I made it to Fern Lake and headed back down the hill in relative ease.  At least until I got back to the Pool.

Ah!  Mostly downhill from here

As I indicated, I had chosen to hike counter clockwise to avoid the most strenuous clime to be at the end of the hike.  Well by turning around, what did I get !?  The most strenuous climb was at the end of the hike and, because of snow and route-finding, I was much more tired that I wanted to be.  But I climbed, rested, climbed, rested until I finally made it back to the ridge top and then it was only three miles downhill to the truck.

Back at the truck all was well, I felt exhausted but glad I had attempted the hike.  I will try again later on in the summer.

Overall Track Statistics for 

RMNP - Seven Lakes Loop (attempt #1)

 Length 16.291 miles

 Start Elevation - 8378.08 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 10398.85 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 8192.72 feet

 Date of Hike - Jun 04, 2015

 Start Time - 08:13 AM

 End Time - 05:52 PM

 Total Duration -     9:39 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 4993.67 feet

 Total Descent - 5179.04 feet

 Net Ascent - -185.37 feet

 Maximum Grade - 29.73%

 Average Speed -  2.48 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 748.65 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  4.80 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) - 13.60%