Loch Vale — Local services in Colorado

This is one of my favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a moderate to difficult trail that takes hikers to a spectacular view of the mountains. The hike is busy until Alberta Falls where the traffic tapers off. Coming up on the lake is a drainage surrounded by mountains. At the top of the drainage is the spectacular view of Loch Vale or The Loch as it is more commonly known. It is breathtaking and an excellent hike in both the summer and the winter; two different views that are both amazing. This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. It is much less popular than Bear Lake just up the road, but the parking lot is small. It fills up early so get there early to experience an outstanding hike...

12/05/2020 Loch Vale Lake. I got on the lake around 7am and no one was around. I was up here alone for a good 20-30 minutes. The sun rays had just started kissing the tops of McHenry’s, Powell, Taylor Peaks and Sharkstooth. I walked all the way across and back on Loch Vale. It was a very cool morning temperature at 0630...

Amazing tranquility! Great for a winter snowshoe hike - weather can get even crazy if you continue on past towards Sky Pond! A bit crowded but in the storm couldn’t see that...