Best Fall Foliage Hike - Hollowell Park to Bierstadt Lake via Mill Creek Basin

Rocky Mountain National Park provides many opportunities to view the colorful show put on by the aspen stands in the fall.  We choose this hike as it tends to be overlooked in favor of bigger names that draw crowds.  The picture to the left may not be a good example, but you pass through many aspen stands during this hike.

Starting at Hollowell Park you'll find relatively few others as you pass through even terrain along the south lateral moraine and catch attractive views of Longs Peak to the south.  As you near Steep Mountain and Mill Creek you'll start a moderate grade up as you travel alongside the creek.  The trail forks and can take you to Bierstadt Lake, Bear Lake, Cub Lake, and more depending on how you want to finish out this hike.  For a moderate hike with astounding beauty try hiking to Bierstadt Lake, snag some photos of Hallett Peak from the lake, and then head down to shuttle bus along Bear Lake Road to catch a ride back to your car.

photo by Aaron Deschane

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