Best wildflower hikes, part one: Bluebird Lake

A bouquet of wildflowers at Bluebird Lake

Story and photos by Marlene M. Borneman
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Editor's note:  the hike to Bluebird Lake in Wild Basin is just one of three of the best wildflower hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park included in the June/July issue of HIKE ROCKY magazine.  Become a member today to read about the other two! 

Whether you are looking to broaden your skills to identify flowers, find a rare plant, photograph a unique flower, or just to soak in the sheer beauty of an eye- popping field of color, wildflower hikes are a gratifying adventure for both body and mind. Whatever trail you decide to explore, simply delight in this world filled with wildflowers!
 
What makes a good wildflower hike? Trails that weave through life zones provide many opportunities to view and identify a wide range of wildflowers. I feel so fortunate that Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses four life zones: foothills, montane, subalpine, and alpine where over a thousand species of wildflowers call home. I look for trails with a diversity of habitats that will in turn provide a diversity of flower species.

The trail to Bluebird Lake weaves through meadows of wildflowers.

Hike in peak bloom. “Peak bloom” refers to the most likely time to view a wide range of flowers with the greatest numbers in bloom. Keep in mind that there will always be early and late blooming flowers before and after peak bloom. There are seasons within seasons so expected appearances sometimes vary by weeks from year to year.

​Nature strictly controls blooming times with current temperatures and moisture levels. These variables fluctuate year to year making the ever-changing blooming times new and challenging. They determine a generous season or a sparing one.

Subalpine daisies fill a meadow below Bluebird Lake.

I want wildflowers hikes that offer a “wow” factor, making for a memorable moment whether it is a rare wildflower or an endless multi-colored meadow. An extra bonus are the many pollinators that visit these flowers. Interactions between wildflowers and pollinators are a wonder to observe.
 
As with any hike, be prepared for ever-changing weather in the mountains. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. Plan to pay an entrance fee and have a timed- entry pass depending on your start time. Protecting

Colorado's flora is an essential element to the enjoyment. Never pick wildflowers! Do not attempt to transplant wild plants. Be aware it is illegal to collect plants in the national parks and national forests. Please be mindful of the restoration signs in designated areas. Al Schneider, creator of www.swcoloradowildflowers.com, says it best: “Admire them in the wild and let them live.” Don't forget a hand lens and a wildflower guidebook to enhance your enjoyment.

Bluebird Lake

BLUEBIRD LAKE
Mileage: 12.8 miles
Elevation gain: 2,478 feet Rating: Strenuous
Life Zones: Montane, subalpine, and alpine
Peak Bloom: Late July-August
COMPLETE TRAIL PROFILE
 
This is spectacular hike in Wild Basin takes you from a moist montane forest to alpine terrain. Waterfalls, fast flowing streams, and a small pond are features along the way with the finale of a stunning alpine lake surrounded by high peaks on the Continental Divide—graced by magnificent wildflowers.
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Begin at the Wild Basin trailhead following the Thunder Lake trail. Along the first section, mariposa lily, wild geranium, sulphur flower, mountain harebell, wild rose shrub, Solomon's seal, Nuttall's larkspur, pinedrop, penstemon, and many
more species line the fringes of the trail.

Fireweed in front of Ouzel Falls

Cutleaf Coneflowers

Mariposa Lily

White Monkshood

​Following North St. Vrain Creek, Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades are passed before Ouzel Falls is reached. Sections close to the creek are home for monkshood and cutleaf coneflower lining both the south and north sides of the trail. You may even spot the uncommon white monkshood. Delicate small plants can be found along here, too: wood nymph, pyrolas, spotted coralroot orchid, violets, one-sided wintergreen and pipsissewa.
 
As Ouzel Falls is reached, cross a substantial bridge. Along the falls see sprinkles of Parry's primrose, columbines, cowparsnip, diamond-leaf saxifrage, and lovage.

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Columbian Monkshood

​At 3.4 miles you will come to the junction with the Bluebird Lake trail. The trail takes a southwest direction and within 1.2 miles arrives at the junction with Ouzel Lake trail. Stay on the Bluebird Lake trail following a stretch along a ridge.

​The 1979 Ouzel fire is still evident here with old snags and small tree growth but lots of other vegetation has filled in. There are many red elderberry shrubs, wild raspberry, mountain strawberry and twin berry shrubs along this stretch.

Soon you will look down on Chickadee Pond. It is worth going down to the pond watching your steps over wet, loose rocks.

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​Chickadee Pond hosts yellow pond lilies and in the shallow water near the shoreline buckbean is noticeable. Just 1.75 miles and right under 1,000 feet of elevation gain to go. In late-July, mid-August get ready for a breathtaking display of wildflowers ahead.
 
The high meadows below Bluebird Lake explode with a mass of brilliant hues of white, yellow, golds, reds, pinks, purples, and blues.

Shades of Splitleaf paintbrush also known as Rosy Paintbrush at Bluebird Lake

Many shades of paintbrushes mixed in with elephanthead, subalpine daisy, American bistort, hairy arnica, nodding ragwort, arrowleaf ragwort, Colorado Blue Columbine steal the scene. The trail climbs steeply here with switchbacks coming to a short narrow canyon. Take your time watching for small cairns that will lead to the top with the overpowering view of the lake!

Mount Copeland, Ouzel Peak, and Mahana Peak provide a grand backdrop. Arctic gentian scatter around the lake in mid-august-
September. My eye always seems to catch more wildflower sightings on the way down so keep alert.

Marlene has been photographing Colorado's wildflowers while on her hiking and climbing adventures since 1974.

​Marlene has climbed Colorado's 54 14ers and the 126 USGS named peaks in Rocky. She is the author of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 2nd Ed, The Best Front Range Wildflower Hikes, and Rocky Mountain Alpine Flowers.

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The Country Market of Estes Park (located in National Park Village) made possible the publication of this article. Be sure to stop by and say "thank you" for supporting local and independent journalism.

Images of RMNP of Estes Park made possible the publication of this article. Be sure to stop by and say "thank you" for supporting local and independent journalism.