These lakes are sections of the creek passing over low angle terrane. The trail is not marked for winter use, and is … A great trail and worth the hike, but give yourself a little extra time to complete. What Makes It Great. After passing Alberta Falls, for the final 1/2 mile of the hike we had the option of hiking to Glacier Gorge (downhill trail) then taking the shuttle bus to Bear Lake, or hiking to Bear Lake (uphill trail). Very windy in lots of places in between, definitely layer up. Trail is great, scenery is amazing especially with the Aspen this time of year. Did this hike on 11/27/20. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. :) Yay!! Layer up. The return hike to Alberta Falls took 1.5 hour and was not as exhausting because the trail was either downhill or flat. Had our traction but did not end up using anything. This trail is rated to be hard due to its steep climb to the top, the granite river bed, and slippery conditions depending on the time of year. Separate entry area before the huge gathering room. Not too bad but definitely a nice workout. Would definitely consider this on the easier side of moderate. 28.5km 693m 5-7h. Less crowded than the hike to Dream Lake, it is nonetheless a busy and popular trail. The winds were tough on the day we hiked. Following the trail, you will pass by several green meadows and small lakes. The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail is a 8.7 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. D We are relatively fit people, but I have to say that this was a CHALLENGING hike for … Take a left onto Hampshire Rocks Road. User Rating. Horses are also able to use this trail. The trail was not very challenging until towards the end, but the views of the mountains & loch were gorgeous! more. The Loch Leven Trail is a popular out-and-back trail that treats hikers to scenic views through the glacially formed region. Take the Loch trail and climb up through some switchbacks until arriving at the lake. Super great. 36 out of Estes Park to the RMNP entrance, then go to Bear Lake Rd.,drive it to the Glacier Gorge Th. The trail continues to rise from this junction until it reaches Alberta Falls at 0.85 miles. Plus, from the Loch you see a bunch of well-known, gorgeous peaks, and Taylor Glacier. Couldn't stay long as the wind picked up. Hiked this trail 10/17/20 absolutely gorgeous. 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It took us a little over two hours to hike from Alberta Falls to Loch Vale. Make sure your socks and gloves are top notch. (Park & ride also a great option) The Loch Vale Trail heads south and starts to ascend as it passes the Glacier Creek Trail on the left and the Loch Vale - Glacier Knobs Trail on the right shortly thereafter. The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED] is a 5.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Explore the Rocky Mountain National Park on this all-day trip from Denver or Boulder. No wind but holy hell was it cold!! The Great Trossachs Path is a fantastic walk that we have split up into two… Read More. Route: Loch Lomond Trail offers several different routes. We did the hike with the family in late June. From here the trail breaks the trees every so often exposing sweeping views of Rocky Mountain National Park. We had clear skies and no wind, even at the Loch, which isn’t the norm. Includes Loch Leven Lakes Trail Reviews, maps & directions to Loch Leven Lakes Trail in Sacramento and more from Yahoo US Local Please choose a different date. Well manicured trail until you get to the scramble up to the Lake of Glass. Great views all the way. At about 2 miles you'll reach a clear junction, with trails towards Mills Lake, Lake Haiyaha, and The Loch. It lies at the convergence of valleys carved from Andrews Glacier (north) and Taylor Glacier (south) just below the Continental Divide. Since we were blessed with perfect weather, we tapped Mills and Jewel lakes as well. The Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a circular path of 13 miles / 21 km around the loch. A bit crowded for my liking (even with reservations) but it’s RMNP so of course people like myself come out and hike it! The Basic loop around the park is 6/10 of a mile. Trail Review: Rating: Moderate Distance (Round-trip): 8.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,580 ft. We ate lunch beside the lake, then hiked back toward Alberta Falls. How difficult is the Loch Lake and Sky Pond hike? It was very windy and cold though- wear layers!! Mills Lake, Black Lake, Frozen Lake Trail [CLOSED], Bear Lake - Odessa Lake Via Fern Lake Trail [CLOSED], Andrews Tarn and Andrews Glacier Trail [CLOSED], Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED], Glacier Gorge to Glacier Creek Trail [CLOSED], Tyndall Glacier and Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes [CLOSED], The Spearhead via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED], Bear Lake to Alberta Falls to Mills Lake [CLOSED], Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Jewel Lake [CLOSED], Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED], Bear Lake to Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED], Shelf Lake and Solitude Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail [CLOSED], North Long's Peak Trail to Boulder Brook [CLOSED], The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail. Definitely layer as the temperature can fluctuate, high winds and pretty steep at points. The guide will familiarize you with The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond Trails. The trail is a mix of ankle high packed snow and slushy dirt, but certainly doable. The south access road and dam top are 1.1 miles round trip with another 70-foot elevation change. Loch lake is not closed, and it was spectacular. Discover the rugged scenery of the Colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes. Stopped here on my hike to Sky Pond which definitely requires a whole different level of effort. Would definitely hike again & continue further up the mountain with proper gear. The Loch trail was exhausting but worth the efforts We are a family of 4 (including 2 teen boys) who hiked the Loch trail last week (mid-August) starting from Bear Lake trailhead. You can hike up to the lake, which is about 4.6 miles, or drive up with your 4×4. Perfect day of hiking at Rocky Mountain National ParK! The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. We are relatively fit people, but I have to say that this was a CHALLENGING hike for us. The lake is frozen solid and if you have skates and want to skate on an alpine lake this would be the place to do it. Continue on the trail beside Icy Brook until you reach the Loch! If the Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge Trailhead parking are full as they often are after 7am especially during the summer or on any weekend, it is easy to use the Park and Ride and take the shuttle. Trail description: Loch Leven trail leaves the South Yuba river canyon, crossing the ridge above to reach the glacially formed Loch Leven lakes chain, small bowls in the granite. Once you make your way to The Loch, you will experience some of the pristine beauty that the Rocky Mountains hold. In November, you can make it without ice shoes, but be prepared to slip. The hike to Sky Pond is well worth it but becomes strenuous after The Loch while the hike to The Loch is. Alberta Falls, was relatively easy because the trail was shady and mostly downhill or flat. Otherwise trail felt more moderate than hard. Glacier Gorge / Loch Vale are not closed. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as elk, black bears, and moose. Find Loch Leven Lakes Trail in Sacramento with Address, Phone number from Yahoo US Local. Make sure to bring plenty of water for each person. Altogether, the trail is 7.2 miles long total to upper lake (3.6 miles out, and 3.6 miles back). Note: As of October 2020, this area is closed due to wildfire. Rocky Mountain National Park offers so many hiking options for all abilities and interests that it can be difficult to choose one. Accessible in all four seasons, this hike features stunning views of the surrounding peaks (Taylor Peak and Thatchtop Mountain). The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Because of it’s beauty and the wide variety of vantage points for outstanding scenery, the Loch is popular with photographers. Snow packed throughout on trail. The Loch Vale comes very highly recommended. Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Glacier Gorge Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, The Loch is maybe the most beautiful lake I saw in my 4 days in RMNP. The views are great so make sure your phone/camera is charged and ready to go. The first portions of the trail are favored by anglers and swimmers, but scenery and solitude reward those who travel to the final lake. There is a lot of uphill climbing and an elevation gain of over 1,800 feet. You also get a view of Andrew's Glacier. Climb Timberline Falls to reach the Lake of Glass. Chef style kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a separate island. We did this hike with our 5 and 6 year old granddaughters and had no issues. Weather cleared up but bundle in layers, falls are icy. The Loch Leven Lakes Trail at Tahoe National Forest near Emigrant Gap, California is a moderate 8-mile out-and-back hike that features beautiful vistas of the popular alpine lakes, the Loch Leven Lakes. The is one of many beautiful lake hikes in this area. Restrooms at parking lot. It took us close to two hours to get to the lake. Bring your trekking poles if you need them. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Gorgeous views! Snow deep towards top along with some ice, just slows you down a bit. For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm We saw several chipmunks near Alberta Falls and all along the trail. I went before the fires came through... it was and likely is still very beautiful. 2 miles later and part of the hike in the snow we came to The Loch. To get there take Interstate 80 east to the Rainbow Bend exit. It was pretty much a. gradual uphill hike the whole way. Take a left onto Hampshire Rocks Road. This trail was a lot of fun. The main trail continues to the right, but make your way to wherever you feel is the best vantage point of the lake, the views are wonderful. Photo by Victoria Carodine. The Loch was a peaceful and beautiful mountain lake, and there were not very many people there. Loch Vale Lake was frozen solid, walked across it! This is a great place to photograph peak 12,707 and its reflection on the lake. The lake is frozen solid but looks beautiful in front of the high snow covered peaks behind it. Pretty nice views but definitely need at minimum hiking shoes/boots due to icy patches (10/17). It only took us an hour to get back to the trailhead. We stopped and rested often during this hike. Continue on towards The Loch by veering left at this junction. Trail was very well marked & not very busy like the Bear Lake trail.. Be aware that the temperature drops & the winds pick up immensely as you get closer to the Loch. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $20 per person. Our family was pretty exhausted at the end of the hike, and we drank every last drop of water that we brought on the hike (2 bottles per person) ... but we made it! Only spot it would have been helpful is venturing out onto the lake much! Started at about 7:15 on a Sunday 11/29 and were the 3rd group out I think? High-altitude wetlands can be seen on the trail’s remaining quarter-mile. We had actually planned on continuing on to Sky Pond. About Reserve at Loch Lake. Cute! Take Hwy. Saw a lot of people with sneakers who turned around, it was definitely not sneaker conditions. Several people were hiking the trail but it was not crowded like the other hikes at the Bear Lake Trailhead. The lake sits at 10,190 feet, making this a great moderate hike. The Loch Lake Trail (5.6 miles, 1,040 ft, moderate): The Loch is one of the coolest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. What a great hike! Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. You can expect a pretty good breeze most days this time of year all the way through the winter. Our car was parked at Bear Lake parking lot, and we didn't want to mess with the shuttle bus, so we opted to hike back to Bear Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter. The north access road is 2/10, with a 70-foot elevation change. The trail condition was somewhat rocky and uneven, so we had to be more careful of our steps. The Loch is the Gaelic name given to this lake, the major destination along the Loch Vale trail and the source of Icy Brook, the stream that spills from its eastern edge. The Loch Trail is an out-and-back, 5.6-mile roundtrip hike to a pristine lake named The Loch that’s surrounded by towering mountains. We had micro spikes but didn’t use them at all for the hike up to the Loch but used them for the trip down. Dispersed camping is permitted on Loch Lomond Trail and the water from the lake is potable when treated with proper equipment. 4.2 miles from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail to the Lake of Glass is uphill and fairly easy until reaching Timberline Falls, which has to be scrambled up! After 0.6 miles the trail winds along Glacier Creek by Alberta Falls, one of the park's most famous waterfalls. The Loch (Loch Vale) is a beautiful lake located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Beautiful hike, clear skies. Loch Leven Trail is a moderate to difficult hike with more than a one thousand-foot elevation change over a 3.5-mile trail to the first lake in the Loch Leven chain of lakes in the Tahoe National Forest. Due to the extreme popularity of the Bear Lake Road area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to access the trailhead during peak season. Horses are also able to use this trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Cathedral Peaks from Sky Pond The Trail Guide to The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond includes trail descriptions, photographs of the trails, comments from our hikes, mileage data, custom topo map, and the routes tracklog on a geo-pdf map. Located just few miles west of Truckee and the Donner peak area, the snowshoe trail to Loch Leven Lakes is easily overlooked. The ice is on a steep incline that involves some scrambling. One of the best hikes in RMNP! Loch Leven Trail is a moderate to difficult hike with a more than 1,000-foot elevation change over a 3.5-mile trail to the first lake in the Loch Leven chain of lakes in the Tahoe National Forest. As of yesterday (11/19) Bear Lake road is open, so the trail is accessible. A few wildflowers still hang on during the last warmer days of summer. The trail is 9.5 miles long and is an out-and-back type trail, meaning you will hike back out the same way you hike in. (Toward the end we even wondered if the switchbacks would ever end!) Beginning at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail to Loch Vale is 2.7 miles of mostly uphill switchbacks with great views. Whichever route you take, you get absorbed into an Arcadia of exquisite streams, seasonal wildflowers, and idyllic nature. Large master master bath with garden tub and shower plus a dressing area. The view of the canyon and surroundings once you arrive is breathtaking. We hope the guide helps you on your hikes and adventures. Don’t forget to admire the beautiful scenery along the trail! Listed in the RMNP trail guide as The Loch, the body of water at the end of the trail is also referred to as Loch Vale, Lake Vale, and Lake Loch. Okay, they’re all super cool, but the Loch is really postcard-perfect. We climbed up the boulders next to the Alberta Falls so we could view the falls from the top. Icy Brook and Andrews Creek, both originating from glaciers on the Continental Divide to the west, feed the 10,190-foot-high lake. At the beginning of the hike, it is really easy to lose track of the trail but you usually end up back on the trail as long as you keep going up the rocks. This is a great hike any time of year and I highly recommend it! After nearly three miles you reach your first major landmark, Loch Leven, a lake at an elevation of 10,750 feet. While the route receives quite a lot of summer attention, it is very common to spend half a day on the trail without even seeing a single soul in winter. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. The Loch trail was exhausting but worth the efforts, We are a family of 4 (including 2 teen boys) who hiked the Loch trail last week (mid-August) starting from Bear Lake trailhead. To get there take Interstate 80 east to the Rainbow Bend exit. It was chilly, especially at the lake. A mass migration of pink-footed geese from Iceland. All this … On the easier side of “moderate”. Inside the park, you’ll have the chance to take short hikes or simply relax. The Loch (10,192') - variously referred to as Loch Vale - is located 2.95 miles from Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is my second major hike ever, and I was about to do it in 4.5 hours in and back with stopping for lunch. The trail condition was relatively smooth and well-maintained. Parking was full so we had to park in a lot down the road and walk an extra 5-10 minutes to the trailhead. The trail passed Alberta falls which is about 30 min from the parking lot. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $70. Gets a lot colder the closer to the top. Snow chains/spikes were very helpful in icy parts and on the lake. This was 3rd time hiking this trail and it the first time I could actually see the lake and surrounding mountains. Recommend bringing spikes for those spots. Snowshoes aren’t needed at all. Snow all the way up from the parking lot. Try to begin the hike early shortly after sunrise to avoid the crowds. Trail conditions were good. This 3.6 mile trail winds up from the edge of the South Yuba Canyon and Interstate 80 corridor and terminates at a high alpine basin comprised of four lakes: High, Middle, and Lower Loch Leven as well as Salmon Lake. If you happen to be the first person, The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a half day. Loch is Scottish for lake… With better than 50 mph wind gust we made it to Timberland Falls and turned around due to the wind. Also don’t forget to keep going to Sky Pond, most people assume that once you hit the peak above the waterfall that you’re at Sky Pond - it’s another quarter mile further. Very cold and windy, face covering and sunglasses help. As it is level and barrier-free for most of its length, it is suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities, for cyclists, for wheelchair and motorised scooter users. Take the free shuttle to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, as parking is limited. Loch Lomond is a perfect getaway that offers gorgeous views, beautiful lakes, and plenty of trails. We used the park and ride transport to Glacier Gorge and hiked to the Loch. The trail is open for hiking early June to November, weather permitting. You can mix and match the routes. The flat portion of the trail was in full sun (not much shade), so in the late morning & afternoon it was quite warm on the trail. Trail Description: The hike to The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, located on Bear Lake Road almost 8 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Washer and Dryer hook ups. 35.6 °F Now South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Airport (38.4 miles) Relative Humidity 60% South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Airport (38.4 miles); Rain Today 0in (0in Last Hour) South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Airport (38.4 miles) Wind S 3.4mph South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Airport (38.4 miles); Dew Point I brought snow shoes and used them on some parts of the trail which were more heavily snow covered. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle. Get there early it gets crowded and there is not much parking at the trail head. moderate although still an exhausting ascent. The trail to sky pond after the 2nd lake was a bit hard to find but it is easy once it is found. Sky Pond is rated as a difficult hike. Hiked on 10/19 & had a great time! The first trail marker you will reach is at 0.3 miles and is the Bear Lake Junction. Gorgeous 3bedroom 2.5 bath town home if the middle of Lake Mary and Sanford. Loch Leven Lakes Trail is a 8.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Norden, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. (11/22). As you hike, take in the scenery of the beautiful pine forest and prepare yourself for Alberta Falls, which are located at the 3/4 mile mark. Still very manageable. Autumn around Loch Leven means. Went on a Friday morning. After resting and taking photos at Alberta Falls, the next 1.7 mile to Loch Vale was quite strenuous because much of the trail was uphill! Popular Rocky Mountain National Park Categories, Commonly searched for in Rocky Mountain National Park, Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Can't wait to hike this again. You also pass some waterfalls on your way. The first mile of the hike, which took us to beautiful. Loch Lake was absolutely stunning and their were many scenic views along the way. Left Denver around 530 got to the trail by 7 and we got one of the last parking spots. Get there early, be prepared, and wear good hiking shoes. Loch Leven Lakes Trail is a pretty easy hike for anyone to complete. Well worth the hike!! Finally, at the 3.6 mile mark, the third and final lake (High Loch Leven Lake) is reached: Enjoy the view and take some time to go swimming and relax before making the trek back down the same trail to the trailhead. Most likely there will be trail from previous snowshoer. The three lakes that are along this trail are all incredibly beautiful and well preserved. Loch Leven Lakes Trail is Located in the Tahoe National Forest just off Interstate 80 in Northern California.