A Hike On Cub Lake Trail Loop, CO
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
Henry David Thoreau
Things To Know
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park
Length: 6.0 mi
Elevation Gain: 744 ft
Route Type: Loop
Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing
Difficulty: Moderate
Entry Fee: Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter the park if entry is after 7:00AM.
It needs a timed entry pass for some trails if done between 9:00AM – 6:00PM.
https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm has all the detailed info for this.
Getting There:
Car: Enter Rocky Mountain National Park South Entrance on Highway 36. Take a left to turn off to Cub Lake and Fern Lake trailheads. The trailhead is 2 miles inside on this road. Limited Parking and advisable to reach before 9:00AM.
Bus: Visit https://www.mycoloradoparks.com/road-trips/bus-to-rocky-mountain-national-park/ to travel by bus. Within Rocky Mountain National Park, you can use the free shuttle buses as shown in the bus route.
Cub Lake trail loop is near Estes Park; located within Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. It is considered a moderately challenging route with rocky patches and some incline. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and horseback riding too.
Heavenly Hike
A Thrilling Start…
On Sep 1, 2021, I planned to go for a moderate level hike during my stay at Estes Park, CO and came up with Cub Lake Trail Loop. I was excited and woke up at 4:30am; reaching Rocky Mountain National Park by 5:50am. I was stopped by Park Rangers on the way to the trailhead and was very apprehensive regarding not purchasing entrance ticket (the toll gates are not manned before 7:00AM). However, my fear were ill-founded; reaching the trailhead around 6:30am.
I saw a herd of bison and deer grazing as I was entering the parking lot. I did take photos but they didn’t come out right. After parking my car, I was thrilled to see the trail in front of me. Weather was perfect, a stream running just at the start of the trail and a beautiful sunrise; all rejoicing with you at that moment in oneness. What more could have I asked for?
Music In My Heart…
I started my walk enjoying each and every moment….sometimes stopping to take photos of sunrise, sometimes stopping to just see a fern plant and sometimes trying to listen to all the nature sounds. It was an easy walk for me and the only thing that made it slightly moderate was the length, some rocky patches and some inclines in between.
I always take headset with me to listen to music while on trails but today I didn’t want to as the feel of cool breeze, the sound of river water running by and the ability to listen to nature was so soothing that I was warmed to the deepest recess of my heart. There was music within my heart due to the happiness I felt while on this trail. During the first 10-15 mins I saw 1-2 other hikers but after that I was all alone and hence it was just me and this musical nature journey ahead of me. I hope that you can imagine the peace I felt being on this trail all alone.
I had few surprises along the hike; seeing a beautiful Cub Lake filled with Lotus like leaves mid way. I had read that this trail had river running by but I didn’t find any river until 60% of the trail was over. It was during return loop that I had the promised river to give me company. It was 70% shaded trail. There were parts where there were burnt trees due to wild fire that happened before but what amazed me was how life was sprouting all anew. Isn’t it inspiring to witness nature in all its resilience and will to exist despite everything….time and time again?
I would say this was one of the best trail experiences for me during my 30 days hiking trip in US.
