Odessa Lake
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
About
Odessa Lake sits a mile past Fern Lake, and you earn it. It's a big day on a long trail, and the quiet at the end is the whole point. Don't treat it as a casual afternoon.
From the Fern Lake trailhead it's about 9.5 to 10 miles round trip, with roughly 1,900 feet of climbing. The trail follows the Big Thompson River past The Pool and Fern Falls, reaches Fern Lake, and then climbs about a mile more to Odessa. You can also come over from Bear Lake and finish down at Fern Lake with a shuttle. This is all inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so no dogs on the trail.
I'd only pick this on a day when you've got energy and a plan. Parking at Fern Lake is limited, so most people use the shuttle from the Park and Ride. Timed entry reservations apply in summer, so check the NPS site. Start early, carry more water and layers than you think, and watch the sky for storms. Spring through fall is the season, and late snow can linger on the upper trail. If you're short on time, Fern Lake is the better call.
