Hike to Cub Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Moose are common along the wetland sections near the trailhead. They are not gentle giants — give them wide berth, never position yourself between a cow and calf, and if one pins its ears back or raises its hackle, back away slowly. They can outrun you.
Spring and early summer bring genuinely muddy trail sections through the meadow — waterproof boots or gaiters save your day. Some years, snowmelt keeps portions sloppy into late June.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the Cub Lake Trailhead on the south side of Moraine Park rather than the Pool-to-Cub Lake connector — the parking lot is smaller and fills by 8:30 AM in summer, so arrive before 7:30 or after 4 PM to avoid circling for a spot.
Turn this into a 5.5-mile loop by continuing past Cub Lake to The Pool and walking the shuttle road back — it adds variety without much more effort, and the return leg follows the Big Thompson River through a shady corridor.
The marshy meadows in the first half mile are moose territory, especially at dawn. Bring a longer lens and scan the willows to the west — but keep at least 75 feet of distance, because cow moose with calves in spring are genuinely aggressive.
Photos
NPS
