Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: 5.4 miles out and back
Closest Town: Grand Lake
Directions: Grand Lake/East Shore Trailhead: From the town of Grand Lake, CO, follow signs from the US Post Office to the Hilltop Boat Ramp and then continue on Jericho Road to the trailhead. Hike the East Shore Trail from the East Shore trailhead at the north end of the lake, or the Shadow Mountain Dam trail head at the south end. Visitors have the option of extending their hike by continuing to the Ranger Meadows loop or by hiking up to the Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower.
Maps:
USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Mount Richthofen, Bowen Mountain, Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain
For More Information:
Rocky Mountain National Park: http://www.nps.gov/romo/
Family Friendly Option
Further south from Rocky Mountain National Park, you will find a recreation haven along the shores of Shadow Mountain Lake down to Lake Granby. There are nearly 14 miles of trail south of Grand Lake that travel along the two large bodies of water. Access points are from the Shadow Mtn Dam as well as the East Shore and Knight Ridge Trails.