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East Inlet Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (31)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. West Side
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“A relatively easy trail with beautiful views of lakes and peaks. ”

Kat Russo
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Map Key

9.2

Miles

14.8

KM

Point to Point

10,802' 3,293 m

High

8,434' 2,571 m

Low

2,561' 781 m

Up

473' 144 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

37%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The trail begins with Adams Falls and climbs steadily up through the valley. A great intro to backpacking or a lovely out and back on its own, this trail has a few steeper parts. Close to the trailhead, it's a much lower grade.

Through the entire valley, there are great views of the river, mountains, and lakes, but some of the best views are seen if you travel past the maintained trail boundary to the end of the valley. Follow the river past Fourth Lake and then hang a right to get to Fifth Lake, the meltwater of which makes the river you've followed since the trailhead. There's a lot of bushwacking, but the final views are definitely worth it!

Flora & Fauna

Columbine, Glacier lily, and Ponderosa pine are scattered about this trail. In the large meadows, you can occasionally get a glimpse of a moose. Farther up in the valley, there are pika, marmot, deer, squirrels and foxes. (Keep a cautious eye out for foxes; they've become very used to people and will get close enough that you have to scare them away so they don't stick their nose in your oatmeal bowl.)

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Club - Boulder Group

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Kat Russo with improvements by Kat W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 31 votes

#1

in West Side

#126

Overall
  4.5 from 31 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in West Side

#33

in Colorado

#126

Overall
64 Views Last Month
18,601 Since Feb 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
56%
22%
22%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Views on East Inlet Trail
Jul 18, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Fourth Lake
Jul 18, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
The sheer rock walls of the Continental Divide loom majestically over open meadows and early summer snow.
Mar 2, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO
Spirit Lake
Jul 18, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
East Inlet meadow clearing
Jul 23, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO
Lone Pine Lake near outlet
Jul 18, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 75 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 17, 2024
Claire Milligan
Lake Verna, Lone Pine Lake 14mi — 4h 45m
Oct 8, 2023
Jessey Hershberger-Kirk
Gotta come back and backpack! 14.6mi — 7h 30m
Sep 15, 2023
Maya Saterson
Jun 1, 2023
Meaghan O.
5.3mi — 7h 30m
Oct 9, 2022
quyen nguyen
Sep 19, 2022
Randy Turner
Aug 20, 2022
Amy Sublette Freeman
Aug 1, 2022
Johnny Addison
Mon - Backpack to Lake Verna. Tues - Day hike to far side of Lake Verna and continue to 5th Lake. Weds - Backpack back to trailhead. 26.5mi

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