Parking
Use East Inlet Trailhead at the east end of Grand Lake. From U.S. 34, turn onto West Portal Road and follow it about two miles to its end.
Overview
About Lake Verna Trail
Why go
- The scenery changes from open meadow and cascades to two alpine lakes.
- A rocky overlook above Lake Verna gives the long approach a memorable finish.
Heads up
- The 13.8-mile round trip reaches high elevation and makes a demanding day.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Rocky Mountain map
Full mapElevation8,400–10,178 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Rocky Mountain alerts
- ClosureOld Fall River Road closed to vehiclesOld Fall River Road is closed to motor vehicles for the season.Official details
- ClosureSun Valley burn-area access remains closedThe area and trail west of Sun Valley Trail remain closed, including the route used for angler access to the Colorado River, because of impacts from the 2020 East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires;…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Rocky Mountain Tour Guide
Your drive to Lake Verna Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Rocky Mountain National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Rocky Mountain audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
East Inlet: Two Views of Adams Falls0:00 / 0:26
“You're approaching East Inlet Trailhead, the start of the short walk to Adams Falls. Allow thirty to forty-five minutes for about eight-tenths of a mile round trip, with rocky steps and uneven footing near the falls.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Rocky Mountain Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- North Inlet: The Walk to Cascade Falls
- Water Beneath the Mountains
- Kawuneeche Visitor Center: Get Your Bearings
- Harbison Meadows: Lunch at the Sisters' Ranch
- 79 audio storiesacross Rocky Mountain’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 136 trails, 88 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…No cell service for majority of the day but had continuous access to the app - the maps, the tour guide as you drive is amazing. Highly recommend purchasing the subscription.”
Trail guide
Hiking Lake Verna Trail
The long day to Lake VernaLake Verna Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from East Inlet Trailhead to the lake’s…
Lake Verna Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from East Inlet Trailhead to the lake’s northwestern shore: 13.8 miles round trip, 6.9 miles each way. The route climbs through East Meadow and rocky high country, passes Lone Pine Lake, and ends above a remote alpine lake. Plan about eight hours with stops and expect a high-altitude day. If you only want a shorter walk, stay near the trailhead for Adams Falls.
Start at East InletThe trailhead is at the east end of Grand Lake; follow West Portal Road to its end.
The trailhead is at the east end of Grand Lake; follow West Portal Road to its end. The East Inlet Trail carries you east from there. Adams Falls is an early, short side loop and is not included in the Lake Verna distance. The longer, rough continuation beyond Lake Verna toward Spirit and Fourth Lakes is a different outing.
East Meadow and the climbThe path skirts the north side of East Meadow, where East Inlet Creek winds below a low bluff…
The path skirts the north side of East Meadow, where East Inlet Creek winds below a low bluff and Mount Cairns, Mount Craig, and Mount Wescott frame the view. Beyond the meadow, the trail climbs rocky slopes on Mount Cairns, with cascades along the way and views opening back toward Grand Lake.
Past Lone Pine LakeLone Pine Lake is the last major landmark before the higher, rockier stretch.
Lone Pine Lake is the last major landmark before the higher, rockier stretch. A granite slab at its southwest end looks toward Peak 12,260 and Andrews Peak. After the lake, switchbacks cross exposed granite to a saddle; the grade then eases beside the creek before the final approach to Lake Verna.
The lake and the returnLake Verna is a roughly 30-acre subalpine lake.
Lake Verna is a roughly 30-acre subalpine lake. A rocky outcrop above its northwestern shore looks down the long waterline toward the rugged peaks across it; it is the best place to pause for the view or a photo. Retrace the same East Inlet corridor to the trailhead. Natural water must be treated before drinking, and pets are prohibited on park trails.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Rocky Mountain
3,124 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,601 sightingsMooseMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
19 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
19 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
30 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
270 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Rocky Mountain. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
