At a Glance
- Distance: 10.8 miles RT
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Lake Elevation: ~10,080 ft
- Start: East Inlet, Grand Lake
Lone Pine Lake via East Inlet
Lone Pine Lake is reached via the East Inlet Trail, which begins at the East Inlet Trailhead in Grand Lake. The 5.4-mile hike one way passes Adams Falls before climbing steadily through forest and meadow to the lake. Lone Pine Lake sits in a forested basin at approximately 10,080 feet — a remote and beautiful destination that rewards the effort.
The round trip totals 10.8 miles with approximately 1,900 feet of elevation gain — a demanding full-day hike. Plan 6 to 8 hours for most hikers, and start no later than 7 AM in summer to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
The Trail to the Lake
The first 0.4 miles pass Adams Falls, which is worth a brief stop even on the full hike to Lone Pine Lake. Above the falls, the trail climbs through increasingly open terrain with expanding mountain views. The upper valley below Lone Pine Lake passes through a beautiful subalpine meadow before reaching the lake basin.
Wildlife along the East Inlet route includes moose in the lower valley, elk in the upper meadows, and Clark's nutcrackers and other high-country birds near the lake.
Planning Your Hike
Carry 3+ liters of water — there are no reliable potable water sources without filtration. A day pack with food, layers, and rain gear is essential. The lake area can be cold and windy even in summer; bring a fleece.
The East Inlet Trailhead is within Grand Lake Township, approximately 10 minutes from Grand Lake Cabins properties. No RMNP entry fee is required for this trailhead. Permits are required for overnight camping beyond Adams Falls.
The Numbers
Lone Pine Lake sits above the East Inlet Trailhead, which starts at roughly 8,391 feet on the edge of Grand Lake village. Published round-trip distances cluster between about 10.3 and 11 miles, with one listing giving roughly 1,494 feet of gain. Ratings run from moderate to challenging depending on the source.
It is a full day rather than a morning, and the best season given is broadly May through October.
The Route Past Adams Falls
The trail begins on the same path as the short walk to Adams Falls, which means the first half mile is busy and the rest is not. Past the falls the crowd thins quickly and the trail climbs steadily through forest before opening toward the lake.
The same trailhead continues beyond Lone Pine to Lake Verna, given at around 13.8 miles round trip with roughly 1,809 feet of gain — a longer day again, and one most groups treat as a separate trip rather than an extension.
Starting From the Cabins
East Inlet is the closest major trailhead to town, which for a hike of this length matters more than it does for a short walk — every minute saved on the drive is a minute of daylight kept at the far end.
Groups doing a full day like this generally pack lunches from the cabin kitchen the evening before. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer at this elevation, so an early start is a safety decision rather than a preference.
Distances, elevation gain and difficulty above are drawn from published trail listings and are given as a guide. Published figures vary between sources, and trail conditions, closures and access change through the season. Check current conditions with the National Park Service at nps.gov/romo before setting out.