Hiking to Lake of the Clouds in Rocky Mountain National Park

"Little and Big Dutch Creeks remind us of eight Germans who formed a clique in Lulu City, as did groups of Irishmen and Swedes. Each nationality had a nickname, the Germans being known as Dutch. One night the Dutchmen, home from a spree at Grand Lake, started a free-for-all in Lulu. When the smoke cleared away, the townspeople found much damage, including a broken arm on a respectable woman. Blaming the Dutchmen, the majority of citizens ordered them out of town. The Germans climbed to the west, settling two miles above on Big Dutch Creek." ~ High Country Names, 1972

The Hike: Lake of the Clouds
Destination Miles: 7
Trailhead: Colorado River
Trailhead Elevation: 9,040'
Destination Elevation: 11,430'
Elevation Gain: 2,390'
Round Trip Miles: 14

The hike to Lake of the Clouds is rich in beautiful scenery as well as history. It is located in the Never Summer Range on the west edge of the Park.​

The first part of the hike climbs out of the Upper Colorado River valley, and then travels through enjoyable forested terrain. 

Views of the Lulu City area and Little Yellowstone.

The second part of the hike follows The Grand Ditch, originally built in the 1890's to steel water for front ranch farmers. 

A foot bridge takes you off the Grand Ditch road and back onto a beautiful National Park trail. The difference of these two worlds is surreal.

The trail rises into the upper basin opening into a large meadow with views of Lead Mountain. The Lake of the Clouds basin is hidden to the left side.

Marsh-marigold growing from a snowmelt stream.

Parry Clover in the Subalpine.

In the early part of the summer season, a large and steep snowfield covers over the rocky trail. Though a thin layer of soft snow may make crossing this snowfield appear safe, there's still hard ice underneath and it is quite easy to take a fast, hard slide into the boulders below. Crampons are the safest way to travel here.

Lake of the Clouds is large and sits at the base of Howard Mtn and Mt Cirrus

The glaciated moraine that holds the lake is covered with alpine wildflowers, such as Alpine Avens and Sky Pilots.

Alpine Sunflowers always waiting for the morning sun.

Marmots are always curious about visitors in the area.

Lead Mountain sits across the larger basin

A small snowmelt pond with views to the east and Mt Ida.

There's some very interesting geology in the basin, with very decorative rocks and boulders.

Looking south across the Lead Mtn basin to Howard Mtn and Lake of the Clouds.

The trail off of The Grand Ditch that leads back to the trailhead.

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