Cub Lake

From Coloradohikingtrails

Cub Lake
A relatively easy hike, it offers meadows (often populated with wildflowers and wildlife), marsh, forests of pine and aspen, and a serene lake surrounded by mountains at the destination. With a modest elevation gain (by Rocky Mountain National Park standards), this is a great trail for families, or for children whose hiking skills and abilities have progressed beyond the shorter hikes such as the Alberta Falls hike.

Fast Facts
Distance(Miles):	2.2 one-way
Trail Surface & Condition:	Dirt-Rocky in places
Other Trail Users:
Ownership:	National Parks
Best Seasons:	Summer, Fall
Type:	Out-and-Back
Beginning Elev (Feet):	8,100
Ending Elev (Feet):	8,650
Elevation Gain (Feet):	550
Difficulty Rating:	5.5
Cub Lake Trailhead GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.356185 Longitude: -105.615740
Cub Lake GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.34639 Longitude: -105.64209

Cub Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park

Maps & Trailhead Driving Directions

Cub Lake Trailhead
Near To: Estes Park and Moraine Park, Colorado

Driving Directions To Trailhead From Estes Park, continue west on Hwy 36 to the Beaver Meadows entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Just beyond the entrance, turn left and head south on Bear Lake Rd. for about 1.3 miles, then turn right (west) toward the Moraine Park Campground (the turnoff is just past a large stand of aspen trees, near the Moraine Park Visitor's Center). This road follows the north side of Moraine Park for about 1/2 mile to another junction. At this junction, turn left toward the Fern Falls And Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trailheads. There are no facilities at the parking lot, but there is a restroom at the Fern Lake parking lot. The trailhead parking lot is small and fills up quickly. If so, you can continue up the road to the Fern Lake parking lot, but this will add about 1 mile if you walk back to the Cub Lake Trail. Be advised that during the busy summer months, even the Fern Lake parking lot can fill up by midmorning.

Cub Lake Trailhead

Elevation: 8,100'

Maps & Images Lat: 40.356185 Long: -105.615740

Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps

Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth

Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

Trail & Hike Description

The trail begins by passing through the marshy area around the Big Thompson River, with a bridge crossing across the river. The trail then snakes along the edge of Moraine Park, eventually turning west, to follow Cub Creek upstream. I have never failed to see wildlife along this stretch. Elk can often be seen grazing in the shrubs along the Big Thompson, or resting in the shade of the trees along the edge of the meadow. Coyotes are also a common visitor, along with its diminutive friend, the chipmunk.

Soon the trail begins its gentle ascent up the valley, and the meadows, marshland and sparse stands of pine give way to a dense forest of pine and aspen. After leveling out from a short and gentle climb, the east end of the lake comes into view, Stones Peak rising in the background to the West. Portions of the lake are covered with pond lillys, the uncovered portions of the lake often reflecting the surrounding pine forest and peaks. We often have lunch on one of the boulders on the north side of the lake. Be forewarned, we have found the ducks and chipmunks to be particularly aggressive here when the food comes out. Please don't feed the wildlife! It only makes the problem worse.

From here, you have a couple of options: Return the way you came, or continue west on the trail, which will ascend to an overlook before descending to its intersection with the Fern Lake Trail at The Pool. Total distance from Cub Lake to the Fern Lake Trailhead is about 2.8 miles, then another mile (along the road) from the Fern Lake parking lot to the Cub Lake parking lot.