Fern Lake to Bear Lake-RMNP, Sept. 30th

We got up early hoping to get some pictures of the beautful fall colors of early morning. The weather was pretty suspect with overnight rain, however, The Weather Channel Radar showed the precipitation was clearing. So we made the call to do one last hike.

Our plan was originally to start at Bear Lake and do a hike to Fern Lake, which nets an elevation loss of nearly 1,500 ft. That plan was killed by the ranger telling us Bear Lake was inaccessable due to overnight snow and ice. We decided to just go to Fern Lake anyway and go as far as we wanted, then turn around. Upon arrival at the trailhead we enjoyed some nice yellows courtesy of resident aspen trees.

There were flurries in the air while up near the mountain peaks one could see snow being blown over the tops by a strong westerly wind. At one point the trail goes through and broken rock, that must was enormous befor breaking. We stopped for a quick picture of the large rock. The trail began gaining elevation gradually before we made it to Fern Lake.

A picture of us at Fern Lake Falls.

With this gain in elevation the temperature dropped and the wind began to pick up. Our first sight of Fern Lake revealed just how windy it was. Even with the mountains there to block some of the wind there were still white caps at points on the small lake.

Even though Fern Lake on the right looks serene, it wasn't!

Odessa Lake on the left was even windier. It was supposed to be the spot for our lunch, however, even in the least windy spot on the lake we were in relentless winds.

This is the spot where our trip got interesting. Lindsey pushed for a return route the way we came even though it was closer to hike to the Bear Lake trailhead, which we were only assuming would be open once we arrived. A few minutes of hemming and hawing helped us make the decision to trek on to Bear Lake, as well as one set of people prints in the snow headed to Bear Lake. Despite seeing our trail follow the side of a mountain into the abyss known as blowing snow away we went.

This part of the hike was where we gained the most elevation that conveniently was straight into the wind. The snow also began to get deeper to the point where two foot drifts were the norm. Aside from the wind, cold, and snow it was kind of pretty.

On the left is Brian.

On the right is just passed Lake Helene, which we had NO idea was there when we went by. You can also see the type of weather we went through.

Shortly after these two pictures we came into more of a forested area that gave us a welcome reprieve from the winds. Still walking through 4-5 inches of snow the trail leveled off. More importantly though with the relative lack of wind we were once again able to hold a conversation while hiking. It was warming up as well because certain parts of the trail exposed to sunlight were becoming mushy and gross.

Going through the wind and snow had kept our minds off one thing, was Bear Lake actually open? Or would we have to go ALL the way back which, hmmm, would have added about 9 more miles to our trip. The foot prints we had followed were still leading somewhere. We figured we were on the trail, not probably not more than 75% sure which could have been back considering our trail was likely snowed under if we were to retrace our steps. Finally we saw a couple coming towards us, although they too had began their trip at Fern Lake. They did not know if Bear Lake was open, not very reassuring. On we went and when we got within a half mile of Bear Lake we saw one lone guy, dressed in shorts an t-shirt nonetheless. He HAD in fact came from Bear Lake and it WAS open! Needless to say the next 10 minutes of hiking were much easier.
Right next to Bear Lake there were many tourists just hiking out to see the lake all bundled up, and here we come soaking wet below the knees with cheeks fire engine red.

Our next task was to shuttle it from one trailhead to another. We lucked out as the first shuttle was just leaving. We picked up another shuttle at Sprague Lake which took us to within only a mile of the Camry because the trail is too skinny for a shuttle. This last mile actually had some pretty scenery as seen below.

All in all not the best day of hiking, but it had it's moments.

Totals- 9.5 miles, 2100 ft elevation gain, 5 hourish.