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Photo Essay: Lily Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

High Point

High Point:
8,930 feet

Total Ascent

Total Ascent:
0 feet

Difficulty

Difficulty:
Easy

Distance

Distance:
0.9 miles

Route Type

Route Type:
Loop

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Lily Lake is located six miles south of Estes Park, Colorado and east of the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary along Highway 7. This short loop at the base of Estes Cone provides sweeping views that include Meeker Mountain (13,911′), Twin Sisters (11,428′), and Longs Peak (14,259′) – the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Lily Lake is ideal for families with young children or those with limited time. Even out your exposure to sunlight by traveling clockwise in the morning, and counterclockwise in the evening. If you’d like a challenge, continue hiking along the Lily Ridge Trail, which breaks off the loop at a sharp turn in the path, and climbs 350 feet in just 0.2 miles to Lily Ridge above the lake.

Here’s my photo essay from my hike on June 2, 2022.