The Loch Lake with rocks and mountains in snow around at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA.
(Spoiler Alert: No Loch Ness Monster!)
All the information you need for the Loch Vale Trail Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
By the end of this article, you will be able to feel confident in hiking to The Loch Lake in Colorado.
Hello adventure! This hike will include incredible views around Rocky Mountain National Park. You will transported to breathtaking scenery that includes beautiful mountains with snow-capped peaks, colorful wildflowers, and maybe even some wildlife!
INCLUDED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THE FOLLOWING:
Highlights and Information on the Loch Vale Trail Hike
Driving Directions to the start of your Loch Vale Trail Hike from Estes Park (to Glacier Gorge Trailhead)
TO THE POINT Clear and Concise Summary Directions
2D Map showing directions to the Trailhead (start of hike) – Two Options
STEP-BY-STEP DETAILED Directions for the “Map-ically Challenged!”
3D Map showing topographical detail of the trail
Highlights and Information Before You Start
National Parks Pass
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Bus Route
While this article will include all Loch Vale Trail Directions, you may choose to ride the shuttle bus service available at Rocky Mountain National Park during the operating months May through October. Please check the National Park Service Website Here in order to see dates, times, and a map of the shuttle bus service within RMNP!
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Updated Trail Conditions
Loch Vale Lake Trail Weather can be fickle! Updated Trail Conditions can be found by clicking here.
Colorado Road Conditions
Road Conditions in Colorado can be found by clicking here.
Prepping Gear
Depending on where you are going, and when, and who is going with you, you will need to pack certain gear. Take time before to find, purchase, and pack the gear you need. Consider our 17 things you need to pack, but didn’t think of, as well as our list of essentials for a day hike. You can even check out our guide to gifts for hikers and adventurers to give you ideas regarding items that you may need (or want!) to make your vacation even better!
Gear is really important, and give yourself the time to think, research, and plan for the things that you will most need and want during your vacation. Frankly, I even make lists for food and clothing. (But like I said, I’m a planner, people.)
Highlights and Quick Reference Guide
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- Moderately easy
- 6.0 miles round trip from Glacier Gorge Trailhead
- About 5 hours total
- 9,240 -10,180 feet (bring water!)
- No fees, except the park entrance fees
- Beautiful, stunning views.
- Moderate hike – kids could do it – but they will be exhausted at the end!
- Doggies are not allowed (but you may see Equestrians as far as 2 miles in from the trailhead)
A sign at the Loch Vale in Rocky Mountain National Park
To the Point Summary Directions
These directions below to hike to the Loch are clear and concise, without extra commentary! Use these directions, and if you ever feel confused, always refer to the map and directions below that are more detailed and include even more specific directions.
Miles and Directions
Glacier Gorge Trailhead
0.0 Start at Glacier Gorge Trailhead and head towards Alberta Falls
0.9 Alberta Falls
1.7 Keep on towards Mills Lake on the Glacier Gorge Trail (Not left towards North Longs Peak)
2.2 Four way junction – Turn Left towards Black Lake and Mills Lake. (Note: the middle path goes to Loch Vale and the Right goes to Lake Haiyaha)
2.8 Mills Lake
5.6 Turn around and come back!
Step by Step DETAILED Directions (Two Options!)
Your days of feeling “Map-ically Challenged” are over! (Trademark on that pending!) These maps (both simple and detailed), along with exceptionally clear instructions, are all provided for you in this post!
3D Map
Please note: The 3D maps in this post, and below are NOT FACING NORTH (on purpose!). Repeat: These maps do NOT face North. These maps are shown specifically for those of us who are “map-ically challenged” and need to visually see which way we are hiking. Please refer to the compass at the bottom right of the map below to show where NORTH actually is!
CLICK ON THE MAPS BELOW AND YOU WILL LINK TO THAT EXACT GOOGLE MAP. You can zoom in on it and take as many screenshots as you would like! If you bring up the map in Google, if you use your mouse and hit CONTROL, then you can MOVE the map to the direction in which you are ACTUALLY HEADED!!!! (Amazing!)
When you click on this, and open the map, you can then click on the link below the blue box on the left and have these directions sent DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE!
You can then screenshot those images, so that you can see these directions, and maps, even if you do not have wi-fi as you are hiking!
Finally – look look LOOK! AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT of the map. See that little yellow guy? Click on him when you open up the map on your phone. You can see ACTUAL PICTURES on the blue dots that people have taken. This is a GREAT resource to have. If you look at your map before you go, you can screenshot what the intersections in the trail look like to help you navigate your way, and not get lost!
First Option – From Glacier Gorge Trailhead
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- Travel on US 36 highway to Bear Lake Road. Make a left on Bear Lake Road.
- Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead (Travel 8 miles on Bear Lake Road from US 36). Park in the parking lot. Jump out of your car, van, or clown car and check the signs. You really should be able to only go one way, and the signs are clearly marked. When you get to the fork in the road, go LEFT towards Alberta Falls. You will be heading southeast at this point, and there should also be signs. Just stay on this trail. Don’t veer off of it (for example, don’t take another left onto Prospect Canyon Trail.) After some time you will see the waterfalls! Enjoy! But this isn’t your final destination! You have much further to go!
- Keep going towards The Loch. There should really only be one major trail to go on from Alberta Falls. So take that one, obviously! This will have you traveling for the most part in a twisty, but southerly direction.
- Don’t take the left towards North Longs Peak Trail. Keep going on the Loch Vale Trail.
- Don’t take the left on to Black Lake Trail. Keep going on the Loch Vale Trail. Just keep walking, walking, walking.
- Don’t take the right on the trail towards Lake Haiyaha or Dream Lake. Just keep going on Loch Vale Trail.
- Then you will see it!!!! The Loch! Yay! You made it! Rest, have a snack and enjoy the beauty!
Second Option
Bear Lake Trailhead Map in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Just as a second option to get to the Loch is the Bear Lake Trailhead a bit further up the road (about a mile) on twisty, turn-y Bear Lake Road, instead of the Glaciar Gorge Trailhead. This trailhead has a larger parking lot. Again, park in the parking lot and use that restroom if you need to!
- When you get to the actual trailhead, you will see the huge sign for the Bear Lake Hike to your right.
- Instead, walk a bit to the LEFT, and then when you get to another fork in the road, go LEFT AGAIN. The signs are clearly marked.
- At this point you will walk straight (which will be southeast) all the way!
- Don’t turn right at Dream-Emerald Lakes Trail, unless you want to go to Nymph Lake or beyond.
- Don’t turn right to go to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (you didn’t park there!) or right onto Prospect Canyon Trail.
- Just keep going straight, baby! You’ll see the falls and be amazed! They are gorgeous!
- Then continue on to the Loch following the directions above. This will add about a mile each way total, so definitely take that into account!
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More Information and Resources
Final Thoughts on Loch Vale Lake Hike
Good old Abner Sprague, an original Estes Park pioneer named this Loch (he named the Alberta Falls after his wife!). But this Lock he named after a guest at his Estes Park Lodge named Locke. He changed the name to be cheeky and clever, so that it would be reminiscent of the Scottish word for lake. Clever Abner 🙂
This is a moderate hike. You will definitely get your work out, but not to the point of being needed to be airlifted out due to exhaustion. It’s a good five hours of work, and if you add it some time at Alberta Falls, or head back to Bear Lake, it definitely will make a whole day of it. The stunning views will be worth it though, and you will keep a memory of a lifetime.
If you are interested in other beautiful lake views, try the hike on Mills Lake Trail ! If you are feeling more adventurous, you can now add a walk to Alberta Falls with your kiddos, starting right at the entrance to the Bear Lake loop. It’s an easy 1.8 total mile hike, and again, well worth it. Other options are the Emerald Hike and the Dream Lake Hike!
When you are ready to finally have your National Park Family Vacation!
Hopefully, you already have all of your reservations, your tickets, and gear planned out! A last minute checklist is so important to make sure that nothing gets left behind. Here are a few extra hacks and tips for your road trip and family vacation! Want even MORE free options? Simple! Just subscribe at the bottom of this post to be part of the Van Adieu Crew and get access to the FREE Van Adieu Vault filled with itineraries, checklists, roadmaps and more!
- Confirm all reservations, tickets, and any events you may be attending (Best suggestion: Print copies of everything and have it with you.)
- Confirm the route you are going. (Best suggestion: Purchase an atlas, as in, an actual real map – on honest to goodness old fashioned paper.)
- Check all gear. (Best suggestion: Discuss this gear with everyone. Is there something that someone would like to have? For example, is someone interested in doing geocaching on the trip? Maybe a waterproof notebook and waterproof pen would be fun for them!)
- Make sure to look at our Road Trip Checklist!
- Make a shopping list, and purchase all possible groceries ahead of time. (Best suggestion: Figure out not only each meal, but also prepare snacks in individually wrapped packages to make the trip more fun and super easy!) Or try to find the best Farmer’s Market where you are going – its easy!
- Consider what you will be doing during the road trip. We have some great road trip activities for kids, and also some fantastic productive and unique activities for adults!
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Tell me about your Loch Vale Lake Hike experiences! Did you think the hike was easy or difficult? I’d love to hear your opinions and your experiences! I’d love to see your pictures as well!
Adieu for now!
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