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By Root 3172 0

Museum on Bear Lake Road are mainly on natural history, but the building itself—a log structure built as a social center in 1923—is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Holzwarth Trout Lodge Historic Site, a preserved dude ranch dating back to the 1920s, is an easy half-mile walk from Trail Ridge Road on the west side of the park. Denver saloon owner John Holzwarth started it as a cattle ranch after Prohibition forced him to find a new line of work. But Holzwarth soon discovered that it was easier, and more profitable, to take in paying guests (at $2 per day or $11 per week, including room, meals, and a horse) than to do the hard work of actual ranching. The ranch buildings contain many of their original furnishings, and visitors can see the bunkhouses, kitchens, a taxidermy shop, wagons, and sleds. Check at park visitor centers for times of guided tours and talks, offered during the summer.

Day Hikes

The park contains over 350 miles of hiking trails, ranging from short, easy walks to extremely strenuous hikes that require climbing skills. Trail difficulty can also vary by time of year—the higher elevations usually have snow until at least mid-July. Many of the park's trails, such as Longs Peak, can be either day hikes or overnight backpacking trips. Hikers are strongly advised to discuss their plans with park rangers before setting out. The following are some favorites; there are many more.

SHORTER TRAILS

Alberta Falls Trail

1.6 mile RT. Easy. Access: Glacier Gorge parking area.

With an elevation change of only 210 feet, this is an easy and scenic walk along Glacier Creek to pretty Alberta Falls. Along the sunny trail, you'll see beaver dams and an abundance of golden-mantled ground squirrels.

Bear Lake Nature Trail

.6-mile loop. Easy. Access: Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Rd.

Head out early in the day if you want some quiet time on this very popular walk. From the beginning of the trail, on the eastern side, 12,713-foot Hallett Peak dominates the view; along the lake's north side, you'll be looking at the national park's highest mountain, 14,259-foot Longs Peak. Expect to see ground squirrels, chipmunks, and snowshoe hares; in the clear waters of the lake, you may catch a glimpse of a greenback cutthroat trout. (Sorry, no fishing is allowed.) The Rocky Mountain Nature Association's informative booklet Bear Lake Nature Trail ($2), available at park visitor centers, makes a handy companion. This is an easy stroll, most of which is wheelchair accessible— one section has stairs.

Bierstadt Lake Trail

2.8 miles RT. Moderate. Access: North side of Bear Lake Rd., 6½ miles from Beaver Meadows.

This trail climbs 566 feet through an open forest of aspen to Bierstadt Lake. From the northwest side of the lake, you'll have good views of Longs Peak. This trail connects with several other trails, including one that leads to Bear Lake.

Emerald Lake Trail

3.6 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Bear Lake.

This trail offers spectacular scenery on its route past Nymph and Dream lakes to its destination, Emerald Lake. The .5-mile hike to Nymph Lake is easy, climbing 225 feet. The trail is then rated moderate to Dream Lake (another .6 mile) and Emerald Lake (another .7 mile), which is 605 feet higher than the starting point at Bear Lake. In addition to the mountain lakes, you'll see the surrounding mountains, which are especially pretty reflected in the surface of Nymph Lake or towering over Dream Lake. In summer, an abundance of wildflowers borders the path between Nymph and Dream lakes.

Eugenia Mine Trail

2.8 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Longs Peak Ranger Station.

This walk to an abandoned mine follows the Longs Peak Trail for about .5 mile and then forks off to the right, heading through groves of aspens and then evergreens before arriving at the site of the mine. There you'll see hillside tailings, the remnants of a cabin, and abandoned mine equipment. The trail has an elevation gain of 508 feet.

Gem Lake Trail