A park favorite, this hike to a mountain pond travels through woods that blaze with color in the fall. The trail begins in the willow thickets along the Big Thompson River, on the east side of the park, and continues upward through stands of pine and aspen. You pass through a varied landscape of moraines, cliffs, streams and ponds. During the winter months, ice or deep snow sometimes makes the last mile difficult, and may require the use of skis or snowshoes.

This hike may be combined with The Pool hike for a six mile loop by taking a connecting trail beyond Cub Lake to The Pool. This section of trail may also contain deep snow or ice during the winter months.

Directions: From Estes Park, Travel west on Hwy 36 past the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station Bear Lake Roadd. Take this road south (left) to the turn--off for the Cub Lake and Fern Lake Trailheads and Moraine Park. The trailhead is about two miles on this road.

Elevation: 8,080 feet

Ending Elevation: 8,600 feet

Elevation Gain: 520 feet

Distance: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

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