Our most adventurous hikers set out for yet another new destination: Ouzel Lake. This Lake is in the southeastern corner of RMNP, the Wild Basin area. There are many secluded mountain lakes and wonderful waterfalls, as well as rugged high peaks. The lakes are, in general, very good for fishing and Ouzel is, in particular, filled with hungry Greenback Cutthroats.
The hike to Ouzel Lake begins at the Wild Basin Trailhead which can be found by driving 12.5 miles south of Estes Park on CO 7 to Wild Basin Road and then turning west on Wild Basin Road for another 2.5 miles where there is parking for the Trailhead. At the Wild Basin Trailhead, the hiker chooses Thunder Head Trail. The climb to Ouzel Lake is approximately 5.5 miles (one way) with an altitude gain of 1,520' to an elevation of 10,020'.
The hiker quickly reaches Lower
and Upper Copeland Falls.
The trail continues through the subalpine forest along Cony Creek to Calypso Cascades, named for the delicate pink orchids that bloom nearby in June.
Leaving Calypso Cascades, the trail travels through part of the prominent burned-out area from the 1978 Ouzel Fire, the most wide-spread burn in RMNP's history. The Fire destroyed so many of the trees that now the hiker enjoys amazing views of Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak.
Ouzel Falls is the most popular destination in Wild Basin. It is a 40' cascade in Ouzel Creek that plunges dramatically over a small granite cliff through a deep rock cut into a beautiful pool. Enos Mills is credited with naming Ouzel Creek ....
..... in honor of the chunky but swift, gray water Ouzel, or American Dipper. These birds are commonly seen along Ouzel Creek; they bob up and down on the rocks before diving completely under water to catch food.
The pretty Ouzel Lake sits snugly against Mt. Copeland's northern face. The striking peak is craggy and provides an imposing backdrop to the serenity of the calm waters. Ouzel and Manaha Peaks are also seen from the Lake and are perhaps the most photogenic.
