Rocky Mountain National Park's Glacier Creek Trail

Glacier Creek Trail

Description:
The Glacier Creek Trail begins near Glacier Gorge Junction at 9,270 feet and descends for 4.8 miles to a point near the YMCA camp at 8,506 feet. This is an easy trail to hike and is heavily traveled by horses in some sections. This is also a great cross-country ski trail.

This trail leaves the Loch Vale Trail near Glacier Gorge Junction and begins a gentle descent through lodgepole pine and spruce forest. It crosses several streams over wooden bridges. Soon it crosses Glacier Creek as the stream comes out of Glacier Gorge. The cascade above the bridge is quite beautiful. The trail travels for a while below some large boulders. It is well shaded and offers a pleasant walk. There are lots of colorful aspen trees along the trail in autumn. You'll pass a large beaver pond about 100 yards to the west of the trail. The views of Hallett Peak and Otis Peak over the pond are very striking. Elk tracks cover this trail along with horse hoof prints. Several small meadows offer opportunities for seeing elk or deer, early or late in the day. This trail is well built with stone retaining walls in many places.

You'll reach the junction of the Boulder Brook and Storm Pass trails after about 1.9 miles. The Glacier Creek Trail follows the Storm Pass Trail southeast for about a quarter mile before turning northeast. Here it continues its level path along the ridge. After about 1.1 miles it intersects a trail from Sprague Lake. The trail continues northeast to its intersection with the Emerald Mountain Trail. From here it travels along side of the Glacier Basin Campground. Horses are not permitted in the campground. Near the YMCA camp the forest opens up giving you good views of the mountains to the north and the peaks west of Bear Lake.

Features:

Length:	4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,487' - 9,271'
Elevation change:	959 feet
Season:	May 15 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Easy
Use:	Moderate
USGS maps:	Longs Peak, McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Glacier Gorge Junction, Sprague Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Glacier Creek Trail is reached via the Loch Vale Trail. This trail begins from the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road for about 7.7 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead has room for 27 vehicles and fills up early. No roadside parking is permitted for a half mile on either side of the trailhead. There are restrooms and trash bins at the trailhead. Take the Loch Vale Trail for about .1 miles to the Glacier Creek Trail. You can also reach the trail from the Sprague Lake picnic area.

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