Starting at 9400 feet and climbing up to the lake at 11780 feet, this 8.5 mile hike will take me 7.5 hours. I'm certainly not the fastest hiker in the park (slower than some, faster than others), but I'm having fun.

A brook with small cascading waterfalls follows the trail for the first few mile, and I hear the sound of woodpeckers in the near distance. It's cooler and overcast today -- but this is perfect for strenuous hiking as I head up the trail and admire the mountains that seem to go on forever.

Note: It's also possible to hike to 'Longs Peak' from this trail (one of the most well-known & difficult 14000 foot hikes) . Some of the hikers staying at the inn did that hike (starting in the middle of the night to complete the round-trip in 1 day). But that's only for the strongest hikers -- and I'm solidly 'moderate'. The first 3.5 miles of the trail is the same for both before it splits off at the intersection.