A Hike to Finch/Pear/Hutcheson/Cony Lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trailhead: Finch Lake
Trailhead Elevation: 8,476'
Destination Elevation: Finch Lk-9,925', Pear Lk-10,594', Cony Lk-11,512'
​Total Roundtrip Miles: Finch Lk-10, Pear Lk-12.4, Cony Lk-18.4

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In the south end of Rocky Mountain National Park, as part of the Wild Basin trail system, there are a series of lakes that begin at the Finch Lake trailhead and can give the dayhiker some options on a trail that is not too crowded, but the destinations are all longer hikes.

The start of the trail is a steady uphill, rising up off the Wild Basin valley floor on the forested south ridge.  The trail travels uphill and in an easterly direction for about a mile, but then levels off for a bit after it switchbacks to the west.

Finch Lake trail

There are a couple of trail junctions on the trail to watch out for. But they are well marked with trail signs. The trail then begins to gain elevation again and there are a few spots where the forest opens up to good views into the main part of Wild Basin. Prominent landmarks include Pilot Mtn, Mt Alice, and the south side of Chiefs Head Pk.

Views into Wild Basin from the Finch Lake trail

The trail actually loses some elevation on the last strech to Finch Lake. There are a couple of good rock spots along the eastern shoreline to enjoy this peaceful lake.

Finch Lake

Finch Lake is a comfortable distance for many dayhikers, and well worth the effort. But for another 2.5 miles, you can also bag Pear Lake. The trail skirts around the north side of Finch Lake, then drops a bit more to a footbridge crossing Cony Creek. There's not too much elevation gain between the two lakes and the trail is pleasant.

Pear Lake trail

Pear Lake

Joe Mills, the brother of Enos Mills, named this lake for its shape. A damn was constructed at this lake in the early part of the 1900's, but was removed by the National Park in 1988. The lake sits at the base to Copeland Mtn with Elk Tooth in the distance. This is as far as the established trail goes and a good place to turn around for many dayhikers.

Right before the lake, a trail branches off of the main trail to the south. This unimproved trail rises up over the south hillside and leads to Lower Hutcheson Lake.

This trial is not an official trail of the Park. It is not maintained and there will be some downfall to climb over, for example. If the dayhiker is going to travel here, you will want to plan on a much longer day. After passing the lower of the three Hutcheson Lakes, the trail can be difficult to keep track of, so it's necessary to have an awareness of your surroundings. Having a topographical map and knowing how to read it is also a good idea. This is a pristine alpine environment, so travel carefully. Follow the small trail to reach the Middle Hutcheson Lake.

Middle Hutcheson Lake

Middle Hutcheson Lake

The three Hutcheson Lakes each sit on a self with the lower lake still below treeline, the middle lake in the subalpine and the upper lake right at treeline. Carefully navigate over rock outcrops that look over Middle Hutcheson Lake to reach into the upper basin and Upper Hutcheson Lake.

Approaching Upper Hutcheson Lake

The upper Cony Basin begins to come into full view as the dayhiker approaches Upper Hutcheson Lake. Cony Pass that leads over to the Bluebird Lake basin to the north, can be seen in the distance. Ogalalla Peak can also be seen now.

Whipple Penstemon

These Alpine wildflowers were photographed in early August. 

Arctic Gentian

Queens Crown

After navigating around the upper Hutcheson Lake, we followed the drainage into the hanging valley that holds Cony Lake. Cony is another name for the little fury pikas which lives in the alpine zone.

Cony Lake with Ogalalla Peak and Cony Pass

On our day, we decided to travel up to the base of Coney Pass. The pass is steep with lots of loose scree. 

Approach to Cony Pass

Cony Pass

Ogalalla Peak

We reach our high point standing below Ogalalla Peak. The summit, 13,138', is part of the Continental Divide and is a high point marking the south boarder line of the National Park. 

Cony Lake and Elk Tooth

We then turn our attention east looking at where we have come, and now our return route. We can see Cony Lake below us. Nearby is the prominent Elk Tooth with Meadow Mountain in the far distance. Both of these peaks define the southeast boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park. 

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