Ouzel Falls & Lake Hike

Let’s go to RMNP and do a beautiful hike past Ouzel Falls with Ouzel Lake as our destination. I’ve done this hike in past years at this time and there is sometimes a little snow still on the trail…but totally doable. And likely we will spot some fairy slipper orchids!

RMNP FEE: Note that for this trailhead, timed entry passes are only required if you enter after 9 am. So we are good! However there is still the National Parks fee of $30 per vehicle. If anybody would like to carpool and save on the fee, please put a comment in the event indicating where you want to carpool from so that anybody interested can reply. This is a busy trailhead, so carpooling is encouraged.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at the Lake & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

DIFFICULTY: about 11 to 11.5 miles with about 1,600 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: We will hike to Ouzel Falls and then continue on to Ouzel Lake.
This hike offers several attractions along the way to Ouzel Lake, including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, Ouzel Falls (a 40 foot waterfall), and finally Ouzel Lake…plus the smaller lake with the beautiful lily pads. We will also catch sporadic views of the surrounding mountains, including Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker. We will do the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/ouzel-lake-trail

DOGS: 🚫 not allowed in RMNP.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Wild Basin Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. If you use Apple Maps or Google maps, you can type in “Wild Basin Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.61748352598664&lat=40.20142747356297#.Y_v0Cy9lBvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.