- Date hiked: 10/11/2020
- Hiked from: East Inlet Trailhead
- Distance hiked: 8.0 miles – 1 way
- Total elevation gain: 1,900 ft
- Maintained trail: No. Trail is unimproved.
- Overall Difficulty: 7/10 – Very long hike to reach Spirit Lake. Lots of downed trees.
- Overall Views: 7/10 – Amazing views of the Boulder/Grand Pass Continental Divide
Located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Colorado, Spirit Lake makes for a challenging day hike with rewarding views.
Video of our Hike to Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake is easiest reached via the East Inlet Trailhead. Follow the maintained trail up to the end of Lake Verna. From here it’s less than a mile to reach Spirit Lake. It’s hard to say what the terrain will be like but when we hiked to Spirit Lake there was probably a dozen or so downed trees blocking the evident trail. If you don’t mind hopping, going around or under downed and rooted trees, then this can be a fun, challenging day hike.
We made the hike to Spirit Lake on 10/11/2020 as part of visiting all the lakes of the East Inlet drainage. The lake is only half the size of Lake Verna. It offers spectacular mountain lake views with prominent peaks towering over the lakes south forest. From the east shore lies a prominent boulder in the lake. This makes for a great photographic composition leading the eyes to the continental divide in the far background.
If your still feeling adventurous after visiting Spirit Lake, continue a little over half mile to Fourth Lake.