The hike started at Bear Lake. We made our way to Bierstadt Lake. On the way to Bierstadt Lake we saw the most brilliant reddish purple cones on a tree. I think it was a fir tree. We walked around Bierstadt Lake and found a place to stop on the North East side to the lake. When we sat down for a snack we had a ground squirrel visit us. The squirrel was looking for handouts and of course we did not supply any. However, even though we did not supply food to the squirrel, it was not afraid of getting in our packs, crawling all over us and just being friendly.
Leaving Bierstadt Lake, we made our way to Upper Mill Creek to take a look at the camp site. From Upper Mill Creek we walked game trails into the meadow and on to Mill Creek Basin. The meadow was beautiful and I started to make plans to return and explore more at a later date. We walked to the stockade North East of Mill Creek Basin. The trail to Cub lake headed North West from the stockade and we could see that we had a bit of a climb to get to the saddle the trail was going toward.
The trail from the stockade up to the saddle is sandy and steep but easy to navigate. We took it easy just thinking how close we would be to Cub Lake once we got to the top and started to head down. Wow were we surprised when we got to the down slope side and found how rocky the trail is. In some places we had to stop and make sure we were still on the trail. By this time we were starting to get tired and had to be much more careful with every step. We walked through some of the Fern Lake burn area. While the green of the lodge poll pines had been consumed by the fire, the under brush was making up for the lose. At this time of the year the wild roses are in bloom and the smell of them is every where. Amazing!
Finally we arrive at Cub Lake. The lake has lily pads around the edge and brilliant yellow blooms all over the water. We walk into the Cub Creek site and are amazed at how wonderful the position of the site is. The Cub Creek site looks out toward Moraine Park. We setup our tent so that the front door opened toward this amazing view. It is great to finally relax.
The next morning I got up early, and made my way back to Cub Lake. I was really hoping that I would get to see a moose. I sat for a time on a large rock on the North shore of the lake and watched the sun stretch it's self out across the lake. However, no moose. When I got back to camp, I was told that some deer walked past our front door. I sit for some time with a cup of coffee and enjoy the view of Moraine Park. The sun makes the river running through Moraine Park sparkle.
We broke camp and headed for the Cub Lake Trailhead. On our way out a number of elk walked along the trail. The ponds and the ducks are quite but stunning. We step of the trail and catch a bus back to Bear Lake. Fantastic trip. I will return.
