Mill Creek Basin Loop

Mill Creek Basin Loop is a 3.7-mile circuit from Hollowell Park, with an open meadow approach, a shaded climb beside Mill Creek, a short basin circuit, and a return through aspens. Allow about two to three hours; the climb to the basin gains about 600 feet. It suits hikers who want a varied outing with a real climb; the basin and creek are the destination, rather than a summit. The 1.8-mile figure is the one-way distance to Mill Creek Basin, so plan for the full 3.7-mile circuit.

The path leaves the west end of Hollowell Park and crosses a broad, sunny meadow with Longs Peak and Steep Mountain ahead. It wraps around the south side of Steep Mountain before following Mill Creek into a narrow, shaded valley. The shade is welcome after the exposed opening, especially on a warm afternoon.

The route crosses Mill Creek, climbs through lodgepole pine, then turns toward the basin's small meadows. After another creek crossing, the loop turns back down the valley. The basin sits below Longs Peak, in a mix of spruce and aspen; the small backcountry campsite is set among those trees. Keep the loop's return toward Hollowell Park in mind at the junctions, since longer paths continue toward the Cub Lake network.

The return drops steeply through a stand of tall aspens before rejoining the Hollowell Park approach. The open meadow and the creekside forest make the walk feel more varied than its mileage suggests, but the steep descent deserves care on uneven ground. Start at Hollowell Park off Bear Lake Road; the picnic area has tables and pit toilets. Pets are prohibited on Rocky Mountain National Park trails and meadows.