Elk Lake

From Alpine, continue south on East Rosebud Road until the road ends at the !East Rosebud Trailhead. The well-marked and well-maintained East Rosebud Trail begins by winding its way along the southeastern edge of East Rosebud Lake. The trail continues to meander along the bottom of the valley, crossing through meadows, generally paralleling East Rosebud Creek--complete with numerous, small waterfalls. A fire in 1966 cleared much of the vegetation, so the views of the surrounding cliffs and peaks are almost unobstructed the entire route.Elk Lake makes a perfect place to stop for a snack before returning if you're out for just a shorter hike. There aren't a ton of camping spots, so either plan on arriving early in the day or be ready to go deeper into the mountains--just always remember to camp responsibly and respectfully!