ouzel lake

Description:  Some people, including my wife, would say that my fly fishing friends and I are gluttons for punishment in our quest for the perfect trout lake. Relatively, that might be true, but I have met many other Trout Bums who would have no issue in hiking more than eleven miles for the chance to pull in a high mountain brook trout or native greenback cutthroat. I’d made the five-and-a-half mile round-trip hike to Ouzel Falls before on a day hike, but had never invested the additional five miles to land further up the trail at Ouzel Lake. Regardless of whether you make the trip for the purpose of a little trout catch and release, or just for getting lost in the woods, it’s an amazing hike and well worth the investment in time and energy. The first three miles of the trail up to Ouzel Falls are arguably three of the prettiest miles of trail in RMNP. You are nearly always in sight of the N. Saint Vrain, Cony or Ouzel Creeks, with their many cascades and waterfalls. Beyond Ouzel Falls, the trail rises into a 40-year-old burn area from the 1978 Ouzel Fire. Here you can see the amazing way nature recovers from the scars of wildfire. The fire was ignited by a lightening strike at Ouzel Lake on August 9, 1978 and burned over a thousand acres before being completely extinguished over a month later, making it one of the largest fires in Rocky Mountain park history. There are also views of 14,257’ Longs Peak and Mt Meeker to the north. Finally, the trail splits and descends the final half-mile to Ouzel Creek and Ouzel Lake, hidden in high montane conifers in the shadow of Ouzel and Mahana Peaks.

What's an Ouzel?  I had no idea what an Ouzel was until a trip to Salida, CO took a friend and me on a hike to nearby Brown Creek Falls. Resting on a rock at our destination we spotted a small bird diving into the water near the base of the falls.  Intrigued by this sight of a bird underwater I did some research and discovered the diving bird was an American Dipper, also known as an Ouzel.  Apparently, they have an extra eyelid and scales that prevent the intake of water so they can hunt for insect larva, tadpoles and other submerged food.  Look for them near the cascades as you hike.  There ya go.  You can't make this stuff up!

Challenge Level: Difficult, 10+ Miles, 1,700' Elevation, 5-7 Hours.  The difficult rating for this hike comes from distance, elevation gain, final elevation (just over 10,000’) and some possible sun exposure in the steep area in the burn zone. I list this hike as “10+ miles” because my GPS track also has some additional hiking due to my fishing expedition near the lake. The sign board just beyond the trailhead lists the hike at 4.9 miles one-way. Regardless, carry lots of water and pack a lunch or good snacks as this is a long hike.

If you fancy a nice hike to an alpine lake, but this one just seems too long, consider one of the easier alpine lake hikes on Beyond Boulder such as: Long Lake (easy), Mitchell Lake (easy), Lake Isabelle (intermediate), Crater Lakes (intermediate), Diamond Lake (difficult), Blue Lake (difficult), Forest Lakes (difficult).

Driving Directions:  Wild Basin Ranger Station, Rocky Mountain National Park, County Highway 115, Allenspark, CO 80510.  About an hour drive from downtown Boulder.  Take Broadway north to US-36 and turn left toward Lyons.  Just before Lyons at the traffic light turn left to stay on US-36 into downtown Lyons.  Turn left just past downtown onto CO-7 and follow signs for Allenspark, in about 21 miles.  Stay on CO-7 past the turn off for Allenspark for another 2.0 miles or so.  Look for a large brown sign indicating a left turn for Wild Basin.  Just past the sign turn left onto County Rd. 84.  After you pass the Wild Basin Lodge you will see County Rd. 115 to the right and the entrance station to Wild Basin.  Google Map directions here...

Parking and Trailhead: You will need to buy a RMNP pass for your vehicle if you do not already have one.  Current fee rates for the park can be found on the RMNP website here.  Once through the gate continue on County Rd. 115 for 2.3 miles to the Wild Basin parking area.  If the lot is full there are many places along the road to park as well as picnic.  The trailhead is in the south east corner of the parking area and well signed. In summer months Wild Basin is a popular spot and your hike length can be increased by up to 1.5 to 2.3 miles depending on where you park. In the winter, snowfall can temporarily close the Wild Basin road. You can check the current status of RMNP road closures here.

Extended National Weather Service Forecast for Wild Basin: 3 Miles West of Allenspark, CO

Trail Guide:  Check out the map board at the trailhead for any notifications and then head across the small bridge onto the Wild Basin Trail.  Shortly you will come to a wooden sign board with distance information to Ouzel Lake and other trail destinations.  Follow the trail for 0.3 miles to another wooden sign that identifies you are at the beginning of Copeland Falls.  There is a trail that runs down to the water where you can see the last falls, which is a must.  At the 1.5 mark you will come across an impressive wooden bridge across the N. St. Vrain with some nice views of smaller cascades.  Rest here and catch your breath as the trail starts to climb more aggressively after you cross.  At 1.8 miles you will meet the Allenspark - Finch Lake - Pear Lake Trail at the twin bridges across Calypso Cascades.  Turn right to cross the bridges.  Beyond Calypso the trail drops a bit and then starts an earnest climb to Ouzel Falls.  For a while on this trail you will not be close to any water, but will have some nice views of the peaks of Mt. Meeker and Long's to the northwest.  Soon you will start to hear the sound of rushing water signaling your imminent arrival at Ouzel Falls.  As you approach a large bridge across Ouzel Creek there will be trail options to the left that will take you to Ouzel Falls a short distance away. Return to the bridge and continue up the trail once you are rested and ready to make your way to Ouzel Lake. Around the 3.5 mile mark the trail will split with the left path heading toward Ouzel and Bluebird Lakes and the right split heading toward Wild Basin/Thunder Lake and S Saint Vrain Creek. Heading left will take you quickly to a steep section of trail that rises into the recovery area of the 1978 Ouzel Fire that began with a lightening strike at Ouzel Lake. Continue up Bluebird Lake Trail for another mile or more and just when you think you must have missed it, come upon the board marking the left turn onto Ouzel Lake Trail. The trail will drop slightly into Ouzel Creek drainage with some gorgeous photo ops where the lake drains into the creek. Enjoy the views with a lunch or snack! On the return you can vary your hike and shorten your return by turning left at Wild Basin/Thunder Lake Trail. After a short climb of less than a half-mile, the trail will cross a bridge over the N Saint Vrain and you can turn right on the trail heading back toward the trailhead. While this route is rockier, it is less traveled and will cut about a third of a mile off your return. See map above for details.

Map Resources: US Forest Service (Allenspark) Topo Map

Après Hike: When I hiked my first 14er after moving to Boulder, a great route up Grey's Peak to 14,278' I was standing there admiring the view when two fellow hikers walk up, open their backpacks, and pull out cans of Dale's Pale Ale, by Oskar Blues. Yes, it’s a thing. I immediately thought, "Why didn't I think of that!" It would have been especially nice sitting on a fallen pine at the base of Ouzel Falls, too. And, since you will be driving through Lyons to return from the trail, a wonderful town that was devastated by the 2013 floods, there's no better recommendation for an after-hike rest than Oskar Blue's at 303 Main St., Lyons, CO 80540. Check out their great craft beers, solid grub, and foundation to help recovering Lyons and Longmont.

Picnicking: Awesome spots all along County Rd. 115 as you head to the Wild Basin Ranger Station.

Restrooms:  At trailhead.

Dog Friendly: Dogs are not permitted on RMNP trails.

Cell Service: No.