Moose Country
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Moose Country
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture And Enhancement
Description
On the way to Cub Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado, one may encounter elk and moose near this swampy area.
The Cub Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado begins at the trail head below Moraine Park Campground at an elevation of 8,095 feet. It climbs for 674 feet past Cub Lake and then descends 369 feet to The Pool on the Big Thompson River. Horses are permitted on the trail and contribute to its heavy use.
The trail first crosses the marshy area around the Big Thompson River then over two wooden bridges becoming wide and smooth as it travels through vegetation near the water. It makes a mostly level path with a few short ups and downs along the west edge of Moraine Park and after a short hike the trail turns west and travels up a valley. Elk can often be seen grazing in the shrubs along the Big Thompson, or resting in the shade of the trees along the edge of the meadow. The Cub Lake Trail travels through some rocky areas that can be quite rough for inexperienced horses. Passing by several ponds containing lots of ducks, the trail gets narrow as you travel up the valley and is encroached by vegetation in some spots. This is a beautiful hike with a lot of aspens that are particularly colorful in the fall.
Soon the trail begins its gentle ascent up the valley, and the meadows, marshland and sparse stands of pine give way to a dense forest of pine and aspen at the end of the valley and starts up a steep climb to Cub Lake. You'll reach the Lake at the top of the hill after passing the signs to the Cub Creek campsites. The Lake itself is picturesque and covered with lily pads. The trail travels along the north side of the lake about 20 to 30 yards above it with ample spots for a picnic lunch.
Portions of the lake are covered with pond Lilly's, the uncovered portions of the lake often reflecting the surrounding pine forest and peaks. Stones Peak rises in the background to the West. From here, you have a couple of options: Return the way you came, or continue west on the trail, which will ascend to an overlook before descending to its intersection with the Fern Lake Trail at The Pool .
Image copyright 2014 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
October 9th, 2014
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