Pear Lake

Pear Lake is a 13.5 miles out and back hike starting from the Finch Lake Trailhead in the Wild Basin Area of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Many pine trees in the first 1.3 miles of the trail had been cut down due to pine beetle infection, therefore the view now is quite different from just 2 or 3 years ago. The Wild Basin, Longs Peak, Mount Meeker and Mount Alice are now clearly visible. From Finch Lake, it is 2 more miles and 600 ft of elevation gain to Pear Lake. In early summer, the trail passes the Pear Creek usually still have deep snow. Just keep to the right and hike parallel to the creek will get you to Pear Lake.

This is a spectacularly beautiful lake. The hike is 2 miles up (and up and up!) from Finch Lake, but if you have the energy it's definitely worth your time to visit. I didn't visit the campsite but I could (barely) see it from the lake and it's fairly well protected from the wind by some moderately-sized pine trees.

It is definitely worth the extra 2 miles each way from Finch Lake. Even thought there are campsite there, there is not a restroom or privy.

6 miles uphill. Worth it!

Beautiful, low traffic high mountain lake. Great overnight or long day trip