Wind River
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
About
The Wind River Trail follows a quiet creek through aspen and pine from East Portal toward Sprague Lake. It's the one I'd point friends to when Bear Lake looks like a parking lot. Shaded, mostly peaceful, and you'll share it with far fewer people.
The trailhead is at East Portal, off Colorado 66 southwest of town, and the free Brown shuttle route serves it in summer. You can walk the Wind River Trail through the woods to Sprague Lake, and the Colorado Mountain Club describes a loop that adds the Storm Pass Trail and the Glacier Creek Trail on the way back. That loop runs about six miles with roughly a thousand feet of climbing, so call it moderate. There are no restrooms or drinking water at the trailhead.
This is Rocky Mountain National Park, so you'll need a park pass, and timed entry can apply in summer. Check the NPS site before you go. Dogs aren't allowed on any Park trail. I like it in fall when the aspens turn, and it's open year-round for snowshoes, but it gets icy, so bring microspikes. Honestly, go on a weekend morning in July instead of Bear Lake and you'll be glad you did. Pack a lunch for Sprague Lake and head back the same shady way.
