The Timber Lake Trail connects with the unmaintained Long Meadows Trail to form an adventurous route to the northern edge of Long Meadows. Its two contiguous miles are the longest meadow system in Rocky Mountain National Park's interior mountains, a food-rich ecosystem that attracts deer, elk, moose, and bear in large numbers. Visitors will enjoy certain solitude, excellent wildlife viewing and miles of open space waiting to be explored.

Moistures draws down the meadow's fungible surface into a stream that runs down its center

Elk seek out cool dark timber on the meadows' fringe to avoid summer heat

Small ponds dot the upper reaches of Long Meadows

The unimproved trail quickly fades, opening the meadow to free exploration

Looking south down the two mile Long Meadow corridor

The unimproved Long Meadows Trail begins by crossing Timber Creek

A rising sun reveals a kaleidoscopic collage of wildflowers in the grass

Elk and moose scat - a common sight throughout - are signs of an active wildlife community

Those with time may continue on to Timber Lake, 4.8 miles from the trailhead

Columbine brighten a dark forest on the climb to Long Meadows