This trail begins at the end of Moraine Park Road and leads past The Pool, then on to Fern Falls, Fern Lake and Odessa Lake. The Pool is a turbulent water pocket formed below the confluences of Spruce and Fern Creeks with the Big Thompson River. The lower portion of this trail is normally accessible for hiking, year-round. During the summer, the trail begins at the end of the Moraine Park Road, at the Fern Lake Trailhead. The trail is relatively flat along the Big Thompson River up to The Pool. Look for beaver-cut aspen, waterfalls on the cliffs, and the Arch Rocks.

This lower end of this trail may be combined with the Cub Lake Trail for a six mile loop by taking a connecting trail southeast from The Pool, back toward Cub Lake. The trail becomes more difficult as it climbs up past Fern Falls and Fern Lake to Odessa Lake.

Fern Creek, Fern Lake, Spruce Lake and Odessa Lake offer catch-and-release fishing. Before fishing, check with the Park Service for license requirements, size and possession limits and other regulations.

Directions: From Estes Park, Travel west on Hwy 36 past the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station Bear Lake Road. 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: 8,155 feet

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Distance: 4.4 miles

Difficulty: Easy

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