Ouzel Lake Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Though not an easy trail to get to, this serene mountain lake offers stunning beauty on site and along the way. To access this relatively easy trail, you must first make your way from the Wild Basin trailhead to the Bluebird Lake Trail. Along the way you'll pass Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls before ascending further to traverse the ridge line of the Bluebird Lake Trail, which features stunning views of several peaks and a variety of wildflowers to welcome you to this beautiful high mountain area.

The Ouzel Lake Trail itself is easily accessible from the Bluebird Lake Trail. From the ridge line, the trail initially descends rapidly into a forested area. After the initial descent, the trail, which comes to parallel Ouzel Creek, subtly ascends through the forest before ending in the middle of a set of log stairs leading up to the Ouzel Lake campsite or down to the lake's shoreline trail. The beauty of the lake is accented further by the high mountain peaks that are visible from its shore.

Birds (Ouzels*), fish, deer, marmots, hares, ground squirrels, and chipmunks are often seen in this area. The ridge line leading up to the trail and the forested trail itself features a variety of Rocky Mountain wildflowers dependent on their seasons.