Near North Inlet Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park: Yellow-Bellied Marmot
Near North Inlet Trail
Twinberry campsite. First night on North Inlet Trail - doing the 30 mile loop.
Near North Inlet Trail
Cascade Falls
Near North Inlet Trail
Deer! On the North Inlet Trail.
Near North Inlet Trail
High water mark with permission from Hobbes7714 Photo Credit: Andrew Wahr Link: https://twitter.com/WahrAndrew

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

North Inlet Trail

4.3 (4 Ratings)
A long trail that rises to over 12,000' from Grand Lake to Flattop Mountain.
12.3
mi
Distance
3,913
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekSwimmingViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.29mi
Distance
3,913ft
Elevation Gain
264ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
12,185ft
High Point
8,469ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
North Inlet Trail follows the North Inlet Creek most of the way from its mouth at Grand Lake all the way to its headwaters atop the Continental Divide at Chiefs Head Peak. This trail has its own trailhead - The North Inlet Trailhead - located just north of Grand Lake. Head east on the trail as it follows a wide valley and enjoy the views of the marshlands. Soon after starting out, the trail enters a narrower, more rugged landscape. The lower reaches of this trail are very well-traveled and meander at lower grades along the creekside. There are numerous attractions along the way including Cascade Falls and Big Pool. Eventually the trail comes to a junction with Lake Nanita Trail which branches off to the south. Immediately following this junction, North Inlet Trail changes character as it rises steeply through a series of switchbacks and ends above treeline. The upper reaches of North Inlet Trail are much steeper and more rugged as the trail ascends towards its terminus near Flattop Mountain. This terminus is a three-way junction with Flattop Mountain Trail and Tonohutu Creek Trail .

Route Conditions

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Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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Some Issues
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All Clear
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Nearby Hike Routes

Cascade Falls and Big Pool

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Cascade Falls and Big Pool

Birding
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North Inlet/Tonohutu Creek Loop

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strenuous
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Continental Divide Trail: Colorado Section 36

Hike Route

Continental Divide Trail: Colorado Section 36

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Shadow Mountain

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Shadow Mountain

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Adams Falls Loop

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Adams Falls Loop

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Continental Divide Trail: Colorado Section 37

Hike Route

Continental Divide Trail: Colorado Section 37

Views
extreme
18.92 mi
+4,602 ft
Contributors
Brian Smith