Rocky Mountain National Park's Timber Lake Trail

Timber Lake Trail

Description:
The Timber Lake Trail begins from the trailhead at an elevation of 9,026 feet and climbs to Timber Lake at an elevation of 11,076 feet in about 4.4 miles. It leaves the trailhead, making a wide path through a stand of aspens to the south. It continues in a south easterly direction through spruce and lodgepole pine. You'll soon hear the roar of Beaver Creek. After crossing the creek over a log bridge, the trail begins a long moderate climb up the ridge. Other than a few glimpses of the peaks to the west, you won't get many views along this section. The trail levels off some as it turns east and follows the contours of the ridge above Timber Creek. It gets a little narrow in spots as it travels across this steep slope.

The trail reaches the intersection with the Long Meadows trail about 3.5 miles from the trailhead. From here it makes numerous steep switchbacks as it continues its climb up the ridge. The trail levels off along side of Timber Creek before entering a large meadow. It continues along the north side of this meadow and around the east end as it turns south toward Timber Lake. It is about .3 miles of moderate climbing to the lake. Timber Lake lies in a grassy area with ridges on three sides. There is easy access to all of the shoreline.

Features:

Length:	4.4 miles (7.2 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	9,026' - 11,076'
Elevation change:	2,440 feet
Season:	Jun 15 - Oct 15
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Moderate
USGS maps:	Fall River Pass, Grand Lake
Trailheads:	Timber Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The nearest trailhead to this trail is the Timber Lake Trailhead on the west side of the Park. The trailhead is just east of Trail Ridge Road about 10.2 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance and about 31 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. There is ample room for large Rvs as well as horse trailers.

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