Lake Verna

Hike Name: Lake Verna Location: central CO Length: 7 Submitted by: Pete Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Colorado trail reviews Colorado national parks Colorado state parks
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Description
This is a great day hike, or overnight hike for beginners. The trail length is 7mi, with around 1,800 elevation gain. If you overnight (or 2) and you want to break up the trip, stay at Cat's Lair campsite, which is 4 miles on the trail. It is an almost perfect overnight site, with plenty of room, and right next to a fast moving creek (drowns out all of the snoring!!). Lake Verna has an overnight site (it is small....no more than 4 tents). The hike starts pretty flat, goes up about 1,000ft. at about 2+ miles, then levels out to mile 4.8, and then climbs again pretty steadily until the last mile or so, and then it flattens out. Will need backcountry permit to camp, and it is pretty cool, so bring warm clothing. No privy other than at mile 5 at Gray Jay group camp. Would recommend for beginners....lots of fun. Didn't see tons of people. If you want to stay at Lake Verna campsite, call early. It is pretty popular. There are 2 other sites within a few hundred yards of the lake if Verna is taken. During the weekend is peak time.

Directions to Hike
This trail is on the West side of the park at Grand Lake. You can either go over Trail Ridge Road (if open) from the east side, or take I-70 to Empire, go over Berthoud Pass, thru Winter Park, and on to Grand Lake. Pick up your permit at the visitor center. Go thru the town of Grand Lake, and continue east around the lake. You will see signs to East Inlet Trailhead.

Contact Information
www.explore-rocky.com is a great site with tons of info about RMNP, also www.nps.gov/romo. The first site has much more info about campsites. Backcountry office is (970) 586-1242.

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