​​In The Shadow of Longs Peak

Hollowell Park

11 November 2001

 Kari and I hiked today in Rocky Mountain National Park, starting from the Hollowell Park Trailhead.  This is one hike I have never taken, despite having lived in the area and hiking in the park for 15 years.  Access this via the main entrance then drive up the Glacier Gorge Road, past the turn-off to the Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trailheads, and over the Big Thompson River.  There are a few picnic tables along the road and the trailhead is not very far in. 

 The trail is well-marked, moderate and pleasant, a nice loop for a short day.  It runs along a creek, through meadows and over a saddle, all the ingredients needed for a perfect day out.

The trail starts off through an open meadow and before long hugs Mill Creek and moves steadily uphill.  Today, there is some ice in the creek, telltale signs of the upcoming winter.  At the first junction, bear right away from the creek, wander into a meadow and continue on a noticeably steep climb upward to a lightly forested saddle then down again into the meadow of Mill Creek Basin.  A right here will take you uphill again toward Cub Lake.  A left will take you down, back toward Mill Creek.  We take the left and cross the creek unto a wide trail which is reminiscent of a road and back toward Hollowell Park.  The road continues straight along the creek while the trail branches off again. 

Continue downward, crossing the creek again, which will bring you back to the first junction.  A left will bring you back to the trailhead in about 15 minutes.

I did note that the trees along the way have winter markings and indeed this looks like it would be a nice kick’n’glide outing.