One of the noblest gorges in any mountain range the world over lies
south of Loch Vale. It is reached from the Bear Lake Road, by the Loch
Vale trail, although there are no trails in the gorge. Above Lake Mills
the western wall of the gorge is formed by McHenrys Peak and Thatchtop;
its head lies in the hollow between the Continental Divide and Longs
Peak, with Chiefs Head and Pagoda looming on its horizon. Its eastern
wall is the long sharp northern buttress of Longs Peak itself. It is a
gorge of indescribable wildness. Lake Mills lies near the mouth of the
valley, Black Lake is toward the upper end, while Shelf Lake, Blue Lake,
and several others are perched on benches high above the valley floor.
This gorge is magnificent and worth visiting. There is no trail to
Keyhole, on the great shoulder of Longs Peak, but the ascent can be
made. The canyon is luxuriantly covered in places with a large variety
of wild flowers.