Glacier Gorge/Loch Vale

Glacier Gorge and Loch Vale are two popular areas of the park. Both are glacially carved valleys surrounded by a few of the highest peaks in the park. Both are home to classic alpine hikes and climbs. This area offers two main trails: Glacier Gorge Trail and Loch Vale Trail, both of which are accessible via Glacier Gorge Junction, on Bear Lake Road. Several smaller trails branch of these main trails, offering access to other areas of the park. A short trail connects Glacier Gorge Junction with the Bear Lake Trailhead.

Maps:

• Loch Vale, Glacier Gorge, Longs Peak, Wild Basin Area (293K JPG)
• A topo map of the Longs Peak/Glacier Gorge area.

Major Trails:

Andrews Glacier Trail:

• The Andrews Glacier Trail branches off the the Loch Vale Trail just past The Loch. This trail offers easy access to the Continental Divide via Andrews Glacier. It is mostly used as a descent route, however.
• From this trail you can climb the following mountains: Otis Peak, Petit Grepon (technical), Powell Peak, The Sharkstooth (technical), Taylor Peak.
• From this trail you can visit the following: Andrews Glacier, Andrews Pass, Andrews Tarn, The Gash.

Glacier Gorge Trail:

• This trail leads into the heart of Glacier Gorge. Glacier Gorge is rimmed with high peaks, including Longs Peak, at 14,255ft (4345m).
• From this trail you can climb the following mountains: Arrowhead, Glacier Knobs, McHenrys Peak, Pagoda Mountain, The Spearhead, Thatchtop.
• From this trail you can visit the following: Alberta Falls, Black Lake, Blue Lake, Frozen Lake, Green Lake, Jewel Lake, Keyboard Of The Winds, McHenrys Notch, Mills Lake, Ribbon Falls, Shelf Lake, Solitude Lake, Stone Man Pass.

Loch Vale Trail:

• The Loch Vale Trail leads into the heart of Loch Vale. Loch Vale is one of the most beautiful areas of the park, and is a bit easier to hike into than Glacier Gorge.
• From this trail you can climb the following mountains: Thatchtop.
• From this trail you can visit the following: Embryo Lake, Lake Of Glass, The Loch, Sky Pond, Taylor Glacier, Timberline Falls.

North Longs Peak Trail:

• This trail branches off of the Glacier Gorge trail roughly 0.5 miles from the trailhead. It then climbs around Half Mountain, and up to Granite Pass, where it meets the Longs Peak Trail. Longs Peak can be climbed from this trail, but it is 2.6 miles longer than taking the Longs Peak Trail. The Boulder Brook Trail, whose trailhead is across the street from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, meets the North Longs Peak Trail before reaching timberline. The destinations both trails offer are the same.
• From this trail you can climb the following mountains: Battle Mountain, Half Mountain.
• From this trail you can visit the following: Boulder Brook.

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