Mills Lake
From USHikingtrails
Mills Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Surrounded by Longs Peak, Chiefs Head, McHenrys Peak and Thatchtop Mountain, no other lake has a more impressive backdrop. The view from Mills Lake towards Longs Peak is the image used on the Colorado State Quarter.
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Trailhead Information
Glacier Gorge Junction
Near To: Estes Park and Bear Lake, Colorado
Driving Directions To Trailhead
From Estes Park, continue west on Hwy 36 to the Beaver Meadows entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Just beyond the entrance, turn left and head south on Bear Lake Rd. for about 8.2 miles. Trailhead and parking lot are on the left. Restrooms available, no water. Due to its popularity, the trailhead parking lot is often full by 8:00 on summer weekends. If so, you can continue about 1 mile further and park at the Bear Lake lot (a 1/2 mile trail connects to the Alberta Falls trail). Alternately, you can drive back on Bear Lake Rd. to the Park & Ride shuttle bus parking area across from Glacier Basin Campground, where you can park your car and ride the shuttle bus to Glacier Gorge Junction. See the Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle Bus Information Page for shuttle bus stops and schedules.
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Glacier Gorge Junction
Maps & Images Lat: 40.31045 Long: -105.64035
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Trail & Hike Description
Mills Lake is named in honor of Enos Mills (1870-1914). Considered the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, he struggled for six years to educate the public and Congress of the importance of setting aside large land areas for the preservation of scenery and wildlife. He was also an author, photographer, nature guide, innkeeper, lecturer, and adventurer.
The trail to Mills Lake starts at Glacier Gorge Junction. The initial part of the trail is the route to Alberta Falls (see the entry for Alberta Falls for more details on the lower part of the trail). After leaving the falls, the trail strays away from the creek for a time and climbs a hillside above Glacier Creek. Soon, it winds its way near to the creek again, providing pleasant views of the creek as you hike upward. At about 1.9 miles, the trail intersects with the North Longs Peak Trail (an alternate route to Longs Peak from the well-known route that starts on the east side of the Peak off of Hwy 7). A short distance further, the trail flattens out and turns to the west, skirting along the edge of the Glacier Creek valley through a rock-strewn area. This rocky stretch is mercifully short, and the trail soon enters a more heavily forested area. At about 2 miles from the trailhead, you first reach the junction of the trail to Lake Haiyaha, almost immediately followed by the trail to The Loch (aka Loch Vale). Here you take the branch to the left (south). Soon after passing the horse hitching post, the trail crosses a bridge over Icy Brook (flowing from The Loch), and the ascent becomes steeper, passing through several switchbacks as you ascend from pine forests onto large slabs of granite as you approach timberline.
The trail levels off as you approach Mills Lake near the outlet to Glacier Creek. This area, where the creek flows through the granite boulders and outcroppings, is itself worth a stop for additional exploration. A short walk takes you to the northeast edge of Mills, and offers some of the most magnificent vistas of the lake and surrounding peaks. There are several rock ledges that protrude into the lake that offer numerous opportunities to stay and relax, enjoy the views, or to eat lunch.
The trail continues along the shore, alternating between rocky terrain and boggy, almost swamplike conditions. Raised wooden planks provide dry footing through these areas - no fears of getting your hiking boots wet. Jewel Lake is located to the south, just beyond Mills. Not as grand as Mills, its marshy perimeter contrast well with Mills' rugged, rocky surroundings.
From here, you have several options: Another 2.2 miles (and 650 feet of elevation gain) up the trail through Glacier Gorge takes you first to Ribbon Falls and then to Black Lake. Or you can return 1/2 mile to the trail junction, and on the 0.7 miles to The Loch. For a loop, the trek to Lake Haiyaha is about 1 mile, then an additional 2.1 miles to the Bear Lake Trailhead, passing Dream Lake along the way. Or you can return to Glacier Gorge Junction, adding a rest stop and Alberta Falls. Whichever route you choose guarantees some of the best scenery in the park.
Mills Lake In Winter
The winter route to Mills Lake is the same as the winter route to The Loch. Please refer to the section titled "The Loch In Winter" in The Loch Trail Description for details. Follow the route to The Loch to the point where the trails to The Loch, Lake Haiyaha, Mills Lake and Alberta Falls intersect. From this intersection, continue on to the triangular horse hitching rail, where the routes split, left to Mills Lake and right to The Loch. Past this point, the trail follows the summer route up a steeper ascent, then proceeds up the frozen streambed of Glacier Creek until it opens up onto Mills Lake.
External Links & References
Suggested hike list on National Park Service Rocky Mountain National Park web site
Mills Lake Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
 Trail intersection sign on trail to Mills Lake and The Loch |
 View of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Mills Lake/The Loch Trail |
 Mills Lake |
 Mills Lake |
Mills Lake |
 Glacier Gorge and Mills Lake |
