Rocky Mountain National Park's Loch Vale Trail

Loch Vale Trail

Description:
The Loch Vale Trail begins at the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead at an elevation of 9,240 feet and climbs 940 feet to The Loch at 10,180 feet. This trail offers breathtaking scenery including Alberta Falls, Glacier Basin, The Loch, and the glacier draped peaks to the south. The trail intersects the Glacier Creek, North Longs Peak, Mills Lake-Black Lake, and Lake Haiyaha Cutoff trails along the way. It continues on as the Sky Pond Trail at The Loch. Due to the striking beauty of this area, this trail receives heavy use.

After crossing a few streams, the trail begins a gentle climb up the ridge. It soon travels above the Glacier Creek Gorge where you can hear the roar of the stream below. The trail here is very smooth and easy hiking. You can look down into the gorge and see the rushing stream below. The trail continues up the ridge along side the stream to the base of Alberta Falls. Alberta Falls is absolutely breathtaking. It's an easy .6 mile walk and well worth it. The trail turns west from the falls and climbs the ridge generally parallel to Glacier Creek. You get beautiful views of Glacier Basin and the mountains to the north as the trail makes switchbacks up the ridge. It intersects the North Longs Peak Trail after about 1.35 miles. From here the trail travels across a rock talus slope and opens up into a large valley. You get gorgeous views of the towering cliffs to the south and the gorge to the southwest.

The trail intersects the Mills Lake - Black Lake and Lake Hiayaha Cutoff trails just beyond the south end of the valley. Horses are not permitted beyond this point. There is a hitch rack about .1 miles down the Mills Lake-Black Lake Trail. The Lake Hiayaha Cutoff Trail is easy to miss as the sign is back off to the right of the Loch Vale Trail. From the intersection, the trail makes a moderate climb along Icy Brook making several switchbacks. At the end of one of the switchbacks you get a great view of the cascades coming from The Loch. It is about .75 miles to The Loch. The Loch is a very beautiful lake surrounded by steep rock walls. There is a trail around the lake with numerous spurs down to the water. This is a great place for a picnic.

Features:

Length:	2.57 miles (4.13 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	9,271' - 10,236'
Elevation change:	1,209 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Moderate to high
USGS maps:	McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Glacier Gorge Junction
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes (up to Mill Lake-Black Lake Trail

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Loch Vale 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. The trail begins across the road.

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