Hiking – RMNP - Glacier Gorge TH

We will meet at the American Mountaineering Center (“AMC”) at 5:00am so we can form carpools and leave no later than 5:10am.  Here’s a Google Maps link for the AMC: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PEv7cmZv7XFH29MeA

An alternate meeting location for those living to the north is to meet at Sandstone Park in Lyons, parking on the Railroad Avenue side (south side) of the park, at 6:00am.  Here’s a Google Maps link to the Lyons meeting place:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/s5CfGVLuKXDVLWCa7

The trailhead is the “Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead” in RMNP.  Here’s a Google Maps link to the trailhead:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/HarcAFps9S5T2Yxs7

This hike is intended to go to Mills and Black Lakes, then beyond and further uphill to Blue and Green Lakes.  Time, weather, daylight, trail conditions, and hiker interest permitting, there is an option to also go to Frozen Lake.  The quoted statistics include Blue and Green Lakes.  Also going to Frozen Lake will add 0.8 miles and 400 feet of elevation gain to this trip.

The 4.2 miles between the trailhead and Black Lake will be on established trails.  HOWEVER, beyond Black Lake, while some of the hike will be following cairns on rocky surfaces, most of the hike above Black Lake will be off trail - much of it on hard rock surfaces, finding our way though some groups of willows.

The reward for this trip is stunning views of Longs Peak, the Arrowhead, and all the other jagged peaks and spires at the head of Glacier Gorge.

There is no AllTrails posting for Green or Blue Lakes, but there is a trip in AllTrails that includes Black and Frozen Lakes that can be used to get info on trail conditions beyond Black Lake:  https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/mills-lake-black-lake-frozen-lake-trail