Legs & Lungs - Big Hikes and Backpacking

The East Inlet of Grand Lake is my favorite place in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are so many streams and lakes along the trail, and the west side of the continental divide rises high in the distance. I've got one overnight booked at the farthest (and best) campsite, Lake Verna, for a Saturday in July. But instead of backpacking straight there, we'll take the long way and go off-trail through 10 Lake Park. This will be a real treat that few people get to experience.

Let's carpool from Wooly Mammoth, but we'll need to go to the Kawuneeche Visitors Center to grab the permit and car tags before we start hiking. From East Inlet, the stem of our lollipop route is a very gentle trail taking us past Adams Falls, and along the meandering stream with the rounded Mt. Craig looming just beyond.

At 4.5 miles in, turn right and enter the Paradise Park wilderness area. There are no trails, no overnights, and no one goes here. Expect another 4.5 miles of route-finding as we pick our way through forest, up the grassy shelves, through 10 Lakes Park, and eventually up our high point, a pass above Fifth Lake. Bonus options: summit Mt Craig (Baldy) or 13er Isolation Peak!!

From the pass, we carefully make our way down the rocky slopes to Fifth Lake, the source of the East Inlet. Then follow the stream down the shelf to get to Fourth Lake, the splendid Spirit Lake, and finally the longest and biggest, Lake Verna. Our campsite is immediately beside Lake Verna and is one of the hardest sites to reserve due to its popularity. Oh, and there is only one site, so we'll have it all to ourselves!
Day totals 13 miles, 3,900 ft of gain, not counting bonuses.

In the morning, we'll tear down camp and have an easy downhill trail of 7 miles back to the cars. Bonus option to summit Andrews Peak if anyone wants. Otherwise, brunch in Grand Lake will be calling.
Day totals 7 miles, 1,800 ft of loss.

Group size on the permit is limited, so put your name on the waitlist and we'll figure out the details as the date gets closer. This one is on the easier side, so if you've never backpacked with us before, it might be your perfect intro to Legs and Lungs. I'm looking forward to sharing the adventure with you!