East Meadow Trail

East Meadow Trail is an easy out-and-back from East Inlet Trailhead to a low bluff above East Meadow and East Inlet Creek. Plan about 2.8 miles round trip and roughly two hours with time to look around; you return on the same path. The climb is only about 235 feet, but the route sits around 8,400 to 8,575 feet, so this is still a high-elevation walk. The 2.8-mile figure follows the day-hike viewpoint; the park lists its East Meadow backcountry sites about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, so distances vary a little with the exact endpoint.

The first stretch winds through mixed pine and aspen. At roughly one-third mile, the Adams Falls loop branches off; stay on East Inlet Trail for East Meadow. The forest gives way to the meadow edge at around six-tenths of a mile, and the path follows its north side toward the creek. Expect an unpaved, naturalistic tread built with dirt, local rock and wood, with a few stone or log steps rather than a long, steady climb.

The payoff is a broad, open valley rather than a summit: East Inlet Creek bends through the grass beneath Mount Cairns, Mount Craig and Mount Wescott. The low bluff is a good turnaround for a short outing. For the photo, keep the creek bend in the foreground and Mount Craig behind it; that shows both the shape of the meadow and its scale. The longer East Inlet Trail continues beyond this walk toward the alpine lakes, but that is a different hike.

If you want a waterfall as well, take the separate Adams Falls loop near the start and then rejoin East Inlet Trail. The falls step about 55 feet through a narrow rock gorge, and Grand Lake comes into view from above. The falls and nearby Mount Adams were named for early settler Jay E. Adams; the falls were once called Ousel Falls. This detour is not included in the 2.8-mile East Meadow route.

Start at East Inlet Trailhead at the east end of Grand Lake, reached from West Portal Road. From Kawuneeche Visitor Center, follow U.S. 34 south for about 1.7 miles, then take West Portal Road for about 2 miles to the trailhead. A park entrance pass is required year-round, and timed-entry reservations may be required during the seasonal program, so check the current rules for your date. Pets are prohibited on park trails and meadows. There is no privy at the East Meadow backcountry sites, and creek water must be treated before drinking.