| 676 | Bluebird Lake | 2012-07-11 |
Last year, as an acclimating hike, I intended to hike to Bluebird Lake. With the unusually high snow pack, I was unable to go much further than Ouzel Lake. I was met with postholing in the deep snow, through a maze of downed trees. I decided to postpone my visit. Then this year, I was going to hike the trail to Bluebird on the day the Bear Burglary interrupted that hike.
Finally, Amy and I returned to Wild Basin to hike the Bluebird Lake Trail a few days later.
We cruised up the familiar lower sections of the trail passing Copeland, Calypso, and Ouzel Falls. After another mile or so we branched off the main trail and headed toward Bluebird Lake. The trail climbed to a rib, formed by a glacier moraine with outstanding views on both sides. We started hiking early and did not see much traffic on our hike to Bluebird. We did however see two moose not far beyond the junction with the Ouzel Lake Trail.
We really enjoyed the trail. It was never too difficult and the scenery was not exactly familiar. We referred to the map on several occasions to help identify the neighboring peaks.
It might have been because we were in the area at the peak of the season, but the wildflowers along the trail were some of the best we have ever seen. We could not see enough. There was a wide variety of plants and they seemed perfectly arranged to show a bouquet of shape and color.
The upper sections of the trail as it neared Bluebird Lake, were rocky. There were short stretches of the trail where the trail crossed exposed rock, but they were short.
Hiking over a final rise, the lake sat in a rocky basin lined with peaks. It was a wonderful setting. We took a few pictures and then started our return hike to the trailhead. It was one of the best trails we have ever traveled. It was however a bluebird day, and good weather makes everything better.
Now for a few trail notes ...
The only source of water (from a faucet) was near the Entrance Station to the Wild Basin area.
Privies are at the trailhead.
The Wild Basin Area has been hit by bears. The Park Service had bear boxes at the trailheads for hikers to store their food instead of leaving it in a vehicle.
The trail was at a medium grade. Any steep sections are short.
The Park publishes a Trail Guide newspaper. They did not include the Bluebird Trail on the best wildflower hikes. That was amazing to us.
We did not see any bluebirds near the lake.
On our return hike we met many hikers.
We did see moose along the trail.
The Bluebird Lake Trail is a great hike. It is not to be missed.
Happy Bluebird Lake trails