Approach › Bluebird Lake - RMNP

From the Wild Basin parking area, head out west on the trail on the north side of North St. Vrain Creek. The trail passes Copeland Falls after .3 mile and continues another 1.2 mile to an intersection. This first section of trail has little elevation gain on a wide and heavily used trail. At 1.5 mile from the TH, head up left for .4 mile to Calypso Falls and join another trail. This new trail, if taken east will lead back to meet the Finch Lake trail. Instead, head west to Ouzel Falls in .9 mile and continue left at another trail junction in another .4 mile. Now you'll be heading for Ouzel and Bluebird Lakes. The trail switchbacks up the hillside and gains a broad and open ridge. Follow the trail past the turnoff for Ouzel lake (1.4 mile from the last intersection) and continue another 1.8 mile to Bluebird Lake, or 1.4 miles to the Upper Ouzel Campsite, which we treat as the terminus to this approach. Most of the trail after gaining the open ridge gains elevation gradually, but as you approach the last half mile to the lake, you'll have some steeper sections. Copeland Mountain will offer a formidable north flank seen across the valley to the south.