Glacier Gorge: Alberta Falls and the Loch

This is the third of a series of posts describing hikes undertaken during a 4 day Rocky Mountain National Park trip.

Date: July 6, 2013

Location: Glacier Gorge/Loch Vale, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Still feeling somewhat weary from my Flattop Mountain hike the previous day, I started out from Estes Park a bit late, catching the 10:00 a.m. hiker shuttle. I was at Glacier Gorge trailhead by around 11:00 a.m. and on the trail heading towards Alberta Falls, with long stops en route to make my first attempt at using an ND Filter (Glacier Creek provided ample opportunities for that). Alberta Falls were gorgeous and after lingering there, I headed on to the Loch. I then retraced my steps, but towards the end, took a little detour to finish my hike at the Bear Lake trailhead instead.

Hike Track

Elevation Plot
(my GPS device got the distance wrong though; based on trail signs, it
should be 6.2 miles roundtrip)

Flowing water looks so much better with an ND Filter to help

Alberta Falls

ND Filter + very slow shutter speed

The trail traverses a gorge; Thatchtop can be seen to the left

Wildflowers

Portion of a pretty cascade formed by Icy Brook en route to the Loch

The Loch
(Andrews and Taylor Glaciers are visible on the far side)

Taylor Glacier

Andrews Glacier (using a telephoto lens)

The Loch from a different angle