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Hiking to Mills Lake via the Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Estes Park, Colorado

Description

Added by Jamie Fleck

Panaromic views of Mills Lake with Longs Peak and Keyboard of the Winds in the background are extraordinaryDecent, intermediate hike with some elevation gain in the subalpine forestMultiple creeks and waterfalls along the trail, including the popular Alberta FallsLots of wildlife to enjoyRest, have a picnic, or fly fish at Mills Lake before heading back

The extraordinary Mills Lake is along the Glacier Creek trail from the Glacier Gorge trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Round trip hike is about 5.6 miles with an elevation gain a little over 700 feet. This trail to Mills Lake is designated as moderate and is accessible two ways. One way is from the Glacier Gorge trailhead (parking lot is right off Bear Lake Road) while the other is from the Bear Lake Trail. We hiked to Mills Lake via the Glacier Gorge trailhead. It can be generally crowded in this area during the warmer months, even in beginning of October, which is when we went. Arriving early before 8 a.m. is strongly recommended in order to find a parking spot, since the amount of spaces are limited. Hikers can also park at the Bear Lake trailhead parking lot if the Glacier Gorge trailhead lot is full, which will only add a mile to your hike. The other alternative is to take the shuttle service to the Glacier Gorge trailhead that Rocky Mountain National Park offers.

Starting at the Glacier Gorge trailhead, you will pass over Chaos Creek, where you will take the Glacier Creek trail to the 30 foot Albert Falls. About a mile and half from there, you will take a right at the North Long Peaks Trail junction, and then half a mile after that, you will take a left at the Mills junction. From there until reaching Mills Lake, you will cross over Vale Brook and Glacier Creek, and get to view Glacier Falls, a smaller waterfall. You will know you have reached Mills Lake after you cross over a series of rock slabs and you see a clearing of trees after about 2.6 miles. There are many rocky areas on the lake that you can walk out or sit on to enjoy the view. Within your view of Mills Lake, you will be able to see the majestic Longs Peak, Pagoda Mountain, Chiefs Head Peak, and Keyboard of the Winds. Photography, having a picnic lunch, and fly fishing are some of the main activities you can participate in once you have reached Mills Lake.

We hiked to Mills Lake in the beginning of October early in the morning, with temperatures in the high 20’s eventually climbing to the high 40’s. We wore clothing in layers and a lightweight packable down jacket. We wore Darn Tough mountaineering socks with our hiking shoes and they kept us adequately warm. This was a very enjoyable and scenic hike, and the views from Mills Lake are quite magnificent. For any hiker looking to find trails that represent the pristine beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the hike to Mills Lake via the Glacier Gorge trailhead should be added to their list.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
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Forest
Lake
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildlife

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