Black Lake Hike

Route Description for Black Lake Hike

The Black Lake Trail packs the perfect amount of strenuity and scenery. Get your blood pumping as you ascend the forested paths up to the subalpine lake. Reserved for experienced hikers, this trail demands stamina. Make sure you are wearing sturdy hiking shoes and consider trekking poles to help you maneuver the technical terrain. Furthermore, this diverse trail will weave its adventurers through several typographies with varying levels of tree shade. As insurance against inclement weather at the lake and along the exposed sections of the path, we recommend wearing layers. There are many places to filter water along the trail, so you won’t have to pack all your provisions, just some tasty snacks! Note that the trailhead parking lot is busy, so arrive early to secure a spot. Located within the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), trail goers are required to purchase a pass.

Though challenging, the Black Lake Hike is epic. There is no shortage of things to look at along this stimulating trail. Hike along streams, past cascading waterfalls, through pine groves, past shimmering lakes and up a glacial gorge to a mountain cirque looming with craggy, snow-capped peaks. This adventure is stunning, and the diversity of the Front Range region is displayed. Make sure to charge your camera because this scenic adventure presents an abundant amount of photo opportunities.

Begin your adventure up the Black Lake Trail from the Bear Lake Trailhead and Ranger Station. From here, take the leftmost, connecting trail. This brief path will guide you over Chaos Creek before merging with the Glacier Gorge Trail. Hike the Glacier Gorge Trail along the namesake’s creek and you will eventually confront Alberta Falls. On the left side of the path, notice the cascading waterfall. Enjoy the ambiance of the rushing waters and the hypnotic sights of the cascading water. When you are ready, continue south along the Glacier Gorge Trail.

At the next junction, keep right. As you ascend the forested path, you will eventually meet another fork—veer left here. You will be diverted up to Glacier Falls. Appreciate another waterfall before tracking the path to Mills Lake. From Mills Lake, enjoy sights of the Thatchtop Mountain towering above. Rest your tired feet and rehydrate before beginning your final ascent to Black Lake.

The rearmost segment of the Black Lake Hike is the most primitive and the terrain becomes increasingly technical. From Mills Lake, trek south up Glacier Gorge and past the dispersed campsites. Tree coverage will become sparser as you climb altitude. The primitive path up to Black Lake will guide you past two more cascading waterfalls before delivering you to the crystalline lake.

Located within a basin cirque, Black Lake is hemmed by impressive snow-dusted craggy peaks. McHenry’s Peak is the prominent peak in the west and Arrowhead Peak will be to its right. Also, notice Chiefs Head Peak in the south and The Spearhead in the east. Revel in the grandeur of the flanking cliffs and enjoy the scenery of the crystal-clear lake. Though tempting, the water is freezing, but it presents a good opportunity to rejuvenate those tired feet. Explore the lake’s shore and refuel prior to your descent. When you are ready to roll, simply retrace your steps along the paths back to the trailhead and parking lot.

Trail Highlights

McHenry’s Peak

McHenry’s Peak is a proud member of the Colorado 13ers. Sitting at 4,062 m in elevation, the McHenry’s Peak ranks 318th of the 584 Colorado 13ers. McHenry’s Peak is a dominant feature of the Black Lake Hike, this summit is one of four peaks that flank the cirque basin. Named by Rocky Mountain pioneer Abner Sprague, the McHenry’s Peak was named after a college professor that summer in Estes Park. Sprague went on a camping trip under his charge and named the mountain after him as he was a “nice old man”. Since then, McHenry’s Peak has become a prominent peak in the RMNP that is lightly trafficked. If you are looking for a secluded mountain hike, consider hiking up the hidden gem that is McHenry’s Peak. From the summit enjoy expansive vistas of neighboring peaks and Black Lake in the deep cirque basin.

Insider Hints for Black Lake Hike

• The Black Lake Hike is primitive and unmarked in sections, so we recommend using the trail GPS to help navigate the technical terrain.
• If you venture this path in the autumn or winter months, ensure to wear microspikes or snowshoes and bring trekking poles to help maneuver the icy trails.
• This route travels through diverse terrain, some of which is shaded, and some is exposed, so wear layers as insurance against varying conditions.
• After your hike, head into Estes Park and grab a delicious brew at the Rock Cut Brewing Company.