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Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake

Larimer County, Colorado

5.0/5
based on 4 reviews

Details

Distance

6.18 miles

Elevation Gain

1230 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Eric Schuette

Visit two beautiful lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park and have captivating views of Notchtop Mountain, Little Matterhorn, and Flattop Mountain. Two Rivers Lake does not have a direct trail to it, so expect relative solitude. For those interested, you can continue hiking to Odessa and Fern Lakes or take an off-trail scamper to Joe Mills Mountain.

Begin the hike by following the Bear Lake trail and after ~.45 miles take the trail to the right towards Odessa Lake and Flattop Mountain. Continue along the trail as it climbs above Bear Lake to the split with the Flattop Mountain trail at approximately 1 mile. The trail continues toward Odessa Lake and will climb through forests and meadows along the way. Travel moderates to the Sourdough Campsite, crests, and drops to several unmarked trails on your left for Lake Helene. Each winds through the forest to the northeast shore of Lake Helene. Note the lake is partially concealed from the trail and spurs are fairly easy to miss. If you make a sharp hairpin turn north (right) and begin descending, you've gone too far.

Two Rivers Lake is near treeline just downstream of Lake Helene. It's aesthetically comparable (if not competitive) to Lake Helene, but sees much less traffic.Though easy to find on most maps, a thick forest and boulder field stand between the main trail and lake, making it difficult to reach. The To reach the lake it can be just as easy to walk north from Lake Helene for a few hundred yards through forest and meadows.

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Features

Fishing
Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Lake
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers

Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake Reviews

Went June 2018. Great place to hide away at RMNP. Not a very popular spot as most people on this trail are on their way to Odessa Lake. Great views.

Hiked on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Snow was well packed so snow shoes were not needed, traction would be helpful but I was fine in trail runners. Arrived at 10am and parking was easy (we parked at glacier gorge trailhead which is about a mile from bear lake). The views throughout the entire hike are spectacular, and the trail ranges from wide open to surrounded by trees. The elevation gain is very mild, most anyone would be fine to do this hike. As you near Lake Helene veer off to the right about 200 meters and you will be rewarded with a great view of Odessa lake. It’s windy and chilly at the lake as the sun falls behind the mountain but you will not be disappointed.

I was here in January 2017 right after a snowstorm came through, I made the trail in my snow shoes which was getting knee deep in areas for about 2 miles it felt like, it was a great experience the woods were so quiet and the trees were covered in snow! RMNP is nothing but beautiful in the winter time, it's great a hike though, the trail doesn't get strenuous or steep.

This is a really scenic spot. It's a really cool area and I'm always surprised there aren't more people here. Also consider exploring the area further west or go up to Lake Odessa nearby.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Emerald Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes

Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

Ptarmigan Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

Photograph Bear Lake