Hike to Shelf Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park | Challenge Hike

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Shelf Lake - 4.9 miles

Trail Type: Challenge Hike
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Beginning Elevation: 9,175'
Destination Elevation: 11,220'
Total Elevation Gain: 2,045'
Total Roundtrip Miles: 9.8

Shelf Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Shelf Lake and Longs Peak

Trail Description
The destination for this hike in Rocky Mountain National Park is off the main trail and requires some backcountry navigation skills including map reading skills and an awareness of the lay of the land. These are sensitive areas, please travel carefully.

Follow the trail past Mills Lake and about mid-way towards Black Lake. The lake is perched at the edge of a hanging valley at the base of the southern ridge of Thatchtop Mtn.

How to Get There
Take the Bear Lake Road from US 36 to the Glacier Gorge trailhead, 8.3 miles. Parking during the summer season is limited. It's best to utilize the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center and the Park Shuttle Buses.

Trail Profile