Park at the Milner Pass parking pull-out on the east side of the road (pit toilets and interpretive signs located here). Pick up the maintained trail at the southern end of Poudre Lake, and follow it east to the first switchback.

Cross a split log footbridge.

Turn right at the T-junction, heading southwest.

The trail climbs past treeline into an alpine landscape. Ahead, the route travels just below the crest of the Continental Divide.

Stay straight on the main path where a faint trail veers off to the left. Traverse grassy slopes ahead.

Look to the right for views of a small lake.

Follow the path that ascends this ridge to Mount Ida.

Crest Mount Ida at mile 4.7. This wind-blown and rocky 12,880-foot peak rests on the Continental Divide and towers above the Gorge Lakes in the valley below. Mount Julian and Terra Tomah Mountain border the lakes on the east. Look south for views that extend to Grand Lake. Next, down-climb boulders on Ida's southeast face to reach the saddle below.

From the saddle connecting Mount Ida and Chief Cheley Peak, descend northeast to Azure Lake. Route-finding skills are required at this point. The best and most efficient route may change seasonally.

Pick a route along the left (west) edge of Azure Lake.

Traverse the southern slopes of this hillside, heading toward the outlet creek.

Cross the outlet creek and descend to Inkwell Lake.

Pass a small waterfall.

Climb over and across massive boulders that line Inkwell's shoreline.

Views of Trail Ridge Road appear to the north.

Maneuver across more boulders.

In September, this creek was partially covered by a small snowfield.

Descend past treeline.

Cross the top of a cascading waterfall, the outlet stream of Arrowhead Lake, and hike south for another 850 feet.

Game plan your next moves from this rock slab overlooking the landscape below.

Descend through small meadows.

Waterfalls cascade down on the left.

Marshy area

Crawl through downed trees into a meadow.

Push your way through this section of thick willows.

Catch views of Rock Lake and Little Rock Lake.

Use caution when down climbing these waterfalls; the rocks are extremely slick.

Down climb the creek on slippery rocks.

Your boots will get wet plodding through this marshy meadow next to Rock Lake.

Little Rock Campsite: Set up your tent on this flat dirt platform surrounded by trees.

Next day: Turn left at the sign post for Little Rock Campsite. Hike northeast along the creek.

Pass through a large meadow; the snaking creek should be on your right.

You may spot rusted old cans lying in the trees.

Prepare to slow your pace along this stretch of trail. You'll have to climb over and crawl under countless downed trees.

Ford the Big Thompson River, which was a small creek in mid-September.

Turn around for views to the south, including Mount Ida and the Gorge Lakes.

Look for the obvious Rock Cut formations through the gaps in the trees.

Trees open here into an alpine meadow. Climb north up steep, grassy slopes toward the road.

The route meets Trail Ridge Road at mile 10.3. Stay on the shoulder and hike west to the Rock Cut parking area.

Pick up your shuttle car at the Rock Cut parking area.

Poudre Lake

Ute Trail

Trailside rock formations

Subalpine Forest

Flora

Wildflowers

Western Views

Views to the north

Trailside Views

Alpine Tundra

Rock Piles

Yellow-Bellied Marmot

Continental Divide

Timber Lake

Mount Ida

Chief Cheley Peak

Gorge Lakes

Azure Lake

Southern slopes of Mount Ida

The saddle below Mount Ida

Snowfield

Snowfield above Azure Lake

Mount Ida from Azure Lake

Waterfall

Inkwell Lake

Rock slabs between Inkwell and Arrowhead Lakes

Arrowhead Lake

Views to the north from Arrowhead Lake

Southern views from Arrowhead Lake

Eastern Views from Arrowhead Lake

Boulders below Arrowhead Lake

Outlet stream of Arrowhead Lake

Rock Lake

Little Rock Lake Campsite

Meadow above Forest Canyon

Rock Lake's outlet creek flows through the meadow

Forest

Big Thompson River

Tall Chiming Bells

Heartleaf Arnica

Climb to Rock Cut

Rock Formations

Final Climb

View of Gorge Lakes Basin

Rock Cut

Southern Views

Trail Ridge Road

Rocky Mountain NP: Mount Ida and Gorge Lakes (Version 1)