Timber Lake
The sound of bugling fills the fall air in the Kawuneeche Valley during the annual elk rutting season. The west side of Rocky Mountain National Park receives far fewer visitors than the eastern side but is equally magnificent. The trail to Timber Lake is gradual, well-marked and ends in a beautiful basin near timberline. There are several back country campgrounds (permit required) accessible from the trail. This is prime elk territory. By Week 40, the sound of bugling will fill the air in the Kawuneeche Valley, as the bulls enter the fall rutting season, assemble their harems and defend them against interlopers. Moose, fairly recent migrants from a herd established in North Park in the 1980s, are also sometimes spotted in the valley, including near the marshy ponds, south of the trailhead, across US-34.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Timber Lake
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Grand Lake |
| Length | 10.6 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,640 ft |
| Skill Level | Moderate |
| Duration | 150 minutes up, 115 minutes down |
| Season | Early June to mid-October |
| Trailhead Elevation | 9,100 ft |
| Top Elevation | 11,040 ft |
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