Snowshoeing to Black Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park

Solo hike to Alberta Falls, Mills Lake, Jewel Lake, and Black Lake on February 24, 2023. This is another one of my favorite winter hikes in RMNP.

Round Trip Distance to Black Lake: 8.6 miles (13.8km) round trip from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Elevation Gain: 1,771 feet

Difficulty: Moderate, bring spikes and snowshoes and check for avalanche conditions

Directions to Trailhead:
Take Bear Lake Road to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead or the Bear Lake Trailhead (This adds 1 mile round trip). Parking at the trailheads is limited so arrive early. There is no shuttle in the winter.

Colorado Vehicle Traction Law:
If the weather is snowy and the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is active in RMNP, it means that all vehicles (including 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and 2-Wheel Drive) must have properly rated tires (Mud and Snow, Mountain and Snow or All-Weather Tires) with a minimum of 3/16" (6/32") of tread. Park rangers might measure your tire tread depth at the park entrance and turn you back out of the park, I have seen them do this. Also know this law applies to the whole state if you are planning on other winter travel in Colorado. It's often active along I-70 from Denver to Vail in the winter.

Conditions:
Partly cloudy
Temperature: 27F at the trailhead
Snowpack all the way

Camera equipment used:
GoPro HERO8 Black