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Dave Spates

Dave Spates

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You are here: Home / Lakes of Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado / Lake Verna (10,180′) via East Inlet Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Lake Verna (10,180′) via East Inlet Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

sandy alpine lake beach shore lake verna, forest and mountains in the background
The sandy beach east shore of Lake Verna located on the East inlet trail, west side of Rocky Mountain National Park
      • Date hiked: 10/11/2020
      • Hiked from: East Inlet Trailhead
      • Distance hiked: 7.0 miles – 1 way
      • Total elevation gain: 1,800 ft
    • Maintained trail: Yes
    • Overall Difficulty: 6/10 – Long hike on a well maintained trail
    • Overall Views: 8/10 – The west shore of the lake is a beach and it’s amazing

Video of our Hike to Lake Verna

Getting to Lake Verna

The easiest access to Lake Verna is from the East Inlet Trailhead on the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park. A well maintained trail will lead you up to Lone Pine Lake. From here, follow the faint trail to the east that quickly reestablished itself. Hike up the steep trail through a few switchbacks and soon you will be looking down on Lone Pine Lake. This part of the hike is like a wind tunnel and we encountered high gusts, but once through down by the East Inlet creek it should die down. Continue on the trail for a little over a mile until you reach the west overlook point of Lake Verna.

west shore of lake verna in rocky mountain national park
First views from Lake Verna’s west shore

There are several back country wilderness campsites (must be reserved well in advance) that are within close proximity to Lake Verna. These are the Gray Jay Group, Solitaire, Slickrock and Upper East Inlet campsites.

Peaks rising over forest seen from the beach shore of Lake Verna
Peaks rising over forest seen from the beach shore of Lake Verna

Lake Verna is the largest of the East Inlet Lakes. It’s long and narrow, and stretches almost a mile before reaching it’s unique, beach like east shore. We made the hike to Lake Verna on 10/11/2020, as well as the rest of the lakes of the East Inlet drainage.

Sandy Beach Shore of Lake Verna

Sandy shoreline of Lake Verna Looking west dark skies and clouds
The views from the sandy east shore of Lake Verna are some of the best on the East Inlet Trail

If you’ve made the hike to reach the west side of the lake, it’s highly recommended that you reach it’s east shore. The sandy beach like vibe you get from it is like none other in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Marvelous beach shore of Lake Verna
One of the most amazing shore views from any of the alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Once you get near the end of Lake Verna the official trail ends and then starts the unimproved trail. Follow the unimproved trail to reach Spirit Lake, Fourth and Fifth lakes. The route here will get more tricky as you will pass lots of downed trees. When we hiked this there was very minimal bushwhacking, just lots of tree hopping.

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