Sunday, we were up at 5:30 am and soon headed for Glacier Gorge but once again we missed out on being able to park and hike from there. So we drove on a few miles to the much larger Bear Lake parking lot and we were able to get a parking space. One of the first things we saw was this sign explaining controlled burning in the park. We had noticed dead trees that had been cut down, and also pyramids of stacked wood. A ranger told us that this is part of their forest management and after the wood dries out, it is stacked and then burned in the winter under close supervision.

We started out with the one-mile walk around Bear Lake, the most frequently visited place in the park. It was as scenic as all the photos promised.

Another view of Bear Lake with snow-covered Long’s Peak in the distance.

A group photo at the lake. Early enough that we have on long sleeves.

Our real goal today was the hike to Mills Lake and we were able to take a trail from Bear Lake that connected with that trail.

One of our first sightings was this ubiquitous yellow flower that is called Spreadfruit Golden Banner or Mountain Golden Banner.

I’m guessing this shortcut to the Mills Lake Trail was about 1/2 a mile. Once we got there, the sign indicated another 2.8 miles to the lake. While the trail was steadily upward, the altitude gain was only about 800 feet.

What hurt us most was the overall altitude of more than 9,000 feet. Sometimes I had to stop and just gulp down some air. Signs reminded us that it takes two weeks to acclimate. I think the “death zone” on Everest is around 26,000 feet. That is where the body’s cells start to die from lack of oxygen. For us, in RMNP, it must have been 9,000 feet.

We were soon hiking along Glacier Creek.

Less than one mile into the trail, we came to Alberta Falls, a 30-foot falls on Glacier Creek.

This is a very popular spot and can get crowded but we were still fairly early; when we came back from Mills Lake it was really busy here. We stopped for several photos and just to watch the water.

You can go up to the top of the falls.

Leaving Alberta Falls, we continue up the trail which was off to the right.

I had two trekking poles and was glad I did. They made maneuvering around the rocks and roots easier and were especially helpful on the downhill when we came to uneven dirt and rock steps.

A slight downhill before going uphill again.

Stopping to check out the view at Glacier Gorge.

At some point, giant mosquitos attacked us and our grandson who had faithfully been carrying spray each day which we had not needed, was now our rescuer. After about 1 1/2 miles, we arrived at the North Long Peaks Trail Junction and kept going toward Mills Lake.

Nice smooth trail here.

After more than 2 miles we cross Glacier Creek on a footbridge.

On the bridge.

Continuing up across some rock face.

Getting closer to our destination we see Longs Peak again in the distance. It’s the tallest point on the left and is connected to Pagoda Peak in the center by the jagged spires of The Keyboard of the Winds.

We arrive at Mills Lake.

Photo with the grandkids. There is a little snow left along the edge of the lake and we were told the lake was full of ice and snow in early June and you couldn’t even get to Alberta Falls then because of snow.

We find a rock to sit on and have lunch and then try to recover before we head back down the trail.

After Alberta Falls, the trail to Mills Lake is not considered especially busy, but it was today. We met a lot of people coming up and had to stop frequently to let them pass. Glad we started back as early as we did. We finished at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and immediately caught the shuttle to the Bear Creek parking lot. Great day with beautiful scenery. Would like to hike other trails in this area too.