Lone Pine Lake

Lone Pine Lake is a backcountry lake along the East Inlet Trail on Rocky Mountain’s west side, reached from East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake. It’s 5.5 miles each way, with about 1,500 feet of climbing on the way in; set aside a full hiking day for the 11-mile round trip. Lone Pine Lake is a natural turnaround if you want a long hike with a clear destination. Lake Verna is another 1.4 miles beyond it, adding about 2.8 miles to the out-and-back. There’s no food service at the lake, so plan your food before you leave.

The approach starts in mixed pine and aspen. After the Adams Falls spur, the trail skirts the north edge of East Meadow, then climbs into a rockier upper valley. Creek cascades break up the climb. This is a strenuous hike, and the return follows the same trail, so leave enough time for the long walk back.

Near the southwest end, a broad granite slab gives you a place to rest and look across the water toward Peak 12,260 and Andrews Peak. It’s the natural photo stop: include some of the lake with the peaks beyond it. A local account says the name recalls a lone pine on a granite island near this shore, noticed by a ranger in the 1930s; that origin story isn’t officially confirmed.