This 6.3-mile shuttle hike south of Moraine Park links the Boulder Brook and Glacier Gorge trails and can be completed in either direction. Start at the Storm Pass Trailhead off of Bear Lake Road for a shorter but steeper climb and a more gradual descent.
From the small parking area, hike south through a grassy meadow rimmed by conifers and rocky peaks. After half a mile, the trail enters the forest and begins climbing alongside (and crisscrossing) Boulder Brook. Tree cover becomes sparse near the top of the climb as the trail nears the junction with North Longs Peak Trail. In autumn, golden aspen groves create a striking contrast with the evergreen forest. After 2.4 miles, Boulder Brook Trail dead ends at North Longs Peak Trail; turn right and start the gentle descent to Glacier Gorge. (Stunning views of the park’s snow-capped peaks appear between the gaps in the trees.) At mile 4.5, cross over Glacier Creek on a wooden bridge—grab your camera, the rushing creek pours through a rocky gorge below the bridge. From here, the trail snakes to the north, passing Alberta Falls, one of the park’s more popular (and accessible) spots waterfalls. At the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, take the free shuttle to the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, cross the road, and follow the path back to Storm Pass Trailhead.
PERMIT: Overnight camping in Rocky Mountain National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backco untry.htm.
MORE PARK INFO: Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 586-1206; nps.gov/romo.
-Mapped by Backpacker's Map Team
TO TRAILHEAD: From the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US 36, continue west through the park entrance and make an immediate right onto Bear Lake Rd. Continue 4.8 miles to the Storm Pass Trailhead. More parking is available 0.2 mile up the road at the Bierstadt Trailhead.
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Boulder Brook to Glacier Gorge
| Dist: 6.29 mi |
Points: 1818 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Trailhead Sign
Location: 40.319972°, -105.619984°
©Kim Phillips
Trailhead Views
Location: 40.319817°, -105.619919°
©Kim Phillips
Waterfall
Location: 40.313786°, -105.616806°
©Kim Phillips
Bridge Crossing
Location: 40.311432°, -105.616890°
©Kim Phillips
Rocky Terrain
Location: 40.290897°, -105.617363°
©Kim Phillips
Trailside Views
Location: 40.296223°, -105.624489°
©Kim Phillips
Rocky Peaks
Location: 40.297333°, -105.625351°
©Kim Phillips
Mountainous Views
Location: 40.298348°, -105.625778°
©Kim Phillips
Rocky Mountains
Location: 40.299331°, -105.626807°
©Kim Phillips
Trailside Views
Location: 40.299331°, -105.628309°
©Kim Phillips
Aspen Grove
Location: 40.299755°, -105.634186°
©Kim Phillips
North Longs Peak Trail
Location: 40.299656°, -105.635651°
©Kim Phillips
Views of the Park
Location: 40.299030°, -105.636986°
©Kim Phillips
Rushing Creek
Location: 40.299134°, -105.638126°
©Kim Phillips
Creek Views
Location: 40.299052°, -105.638191°
©Kim Phillips
Bridge Crossing
Location: 40.299232°, -105.638448°
©Kim Phillips
Rocky Mountains
Location: 40.299322°, -105.638502°
©Kim Phillips
Overlook
Location: 40.301392°, -105.640282°
©Kim Phillips
Trail Junction
Location: 40.299740°, -105.639596°
©Kim Phillips
Alberta Falls
Location: 40.303913°, -105.638161°
©Kim Phillips
Alberta Falls
Location: 40.303848°, -105.638100°
©Kim Phillips
Chipmunk
Location: 40.305973°, -105.638954°
©Kim Phillips
Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Location: 40.311081°, -105.639252°
©Kim Phillips
GLA001
Location: 40.320068°, -105.620003°
From the small parking area at the Storm Pass Trailhead, head south through a grassy meadow rimmed by conifers.
GLA002
Location: 40.319641°, -105.619698°
Continue straight @ 3-way junction.
GLA003
Location: 40.319149°, -105.618103°
Cross Glacier Creek on a wooden bridge.
GLA004
Location: 40.318230°, -105.616798°
Keep right @ 3-way junction.
GLA005
Location: 40.316792°, -105.615799°
Continue straight @ 4-way, heading south.
GLA006
Location: 40.313740°, -105.616898°
Pass a cascading waterfall on the left side of the trail. More climbing ahead.
GLA007
Location: 40.311359°, -105.616898°
Cross the first of three stream crossings in the next 0.5 mile.
GLA008
Location: 40.296112°, -105.617813°
The forested lower reaches of the trail give way to several meadows filled with young trees.
GLA009
Location: 40.293411°, -105.617424°
Continue straight @ 3-way junction with Boulder Brook Campsite #2. A similar spur trail to Campsite #1 is 200 yards up the trail.
GLA010
Location: 40.288944°, -105.617493°
Turn right onto North Longs Peak Trail @ T-junction. A group campsite (with privy and bear boxes) is located straight ahead.
GLA011
Location: 40.289118°, -105.618407°
This split-log bridge makes an easy crossing of the Boulder Brook tributary (the water source for the group campground uphill).
GLA012
Location: 40.301196°, -105.631957°
Along this gentle downhill section, you'll catch views of the entire valley and the Glacier Gorge Trailhead below and to the right.
GLA013
Location: 40.299011°, -105.638276°
A wooden bridge spans this deep, gushing gorge and connects to a slickrock-like section of trail before jogging left.
GLA014
Location: 40.299691°, -105.639371°
Admire the valley views at the rest stop just before the 3-way junction. From here, it's just 1.7 miles to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
GLA016
Location: 40.303909°, -105.638199°
Alberta Falls is a highlight of this route and a turn-around point for many day hikers who started at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
GLA017
Location: 40.304634°, -105.638626°
Heading downstream, the trail skirts the log-jammed river. Stop for an upstream peek at several tumbling cascades as you head downhill.
GLA018
Location: 40.306206°, -105.638908°
A few user-created trails lead to the edge of a deep ravine. Stick to the main trail: overgrowth and tree-cover make for a less than spectacular scene.
GLA019
Location: 40.306613°, -105.641484°
Cross the stream on a bridge. There is another crossing a few-hundred feet ahead.
GLA020
Location: 40.307678°, -105.643402°
Pass a wooden barrier on your right before turning east @ the 3-way junction. Follow signs to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
GLA021
Location: 40.307728°, -105.642929°
Continue straight @ 3-way junction.
GLA022
Location: 40.308434°, -105.642075°
This bridge marks the end of a rock-step descent.
GLA023
Location: 40.310196°, -105.640540°
The long descent ends near a rock-walled section of trail near the parking area and shuttle bus stop.
GLA024
Location: 40.311283°, -105.639282°
Glacier Gorge Trailhead: Take the free shuttle to the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, cross the road, and follow the path back to Storm Pass Trailhead.
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