Colorado Map

Request Free Visitor Guides

Arapaho Pass Trail

Basics
Location:
20 miles west of Boulder
Setting:
Mountainous
Length:
6.5 mile roundtrip
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Time:
3 to 4 hours
Trailhead Elevation:
10100 feet
Elevation Change:
1800 feet
Season:
June - October

Description

From the Fourth of July Trailhead, the Arapaho Pass Trail climbs the wooded, northern slope of the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage. It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This well-constructed trail traverses a sidehill, crossing steep slopes full of flowers in the early summer. After 1.2 miles, the Diamond Lake Trail #975 veers left where the Arapaho Pass Trail takes a switchback to the right. The trail climbs for another half mile, then follows a bench to the Fourth of July Mine (ele. 11,245), 2.1 miles from the trailhead. At the mine, the Arapaho Glacier Trail #905 intersects. Following this trail to the northeast (right) leads up to the Arapaho Glacier Overlook and eventually, down to Rainbow Lakes Campground. The Arapaho Pass Trail continues west on an old road 1.2 miles to Arapaho Pass (ele. 11,906), and the intersection with the Caribou Trail, #11. For a side trip, follow trail #11 west for about one-fourth mile to visit Lake Dorothy (ele. 12,061). The Caribou Trail continues on an impressive old road, blasted into a cliff, to Caribou Pass, but the road is sliding away. Some parts are now less than a trail width and not for the faint of heart. This road was supposed to cross the Divide, but Grand County never built its half, so the road runs out at Caribou Pass. A trail drops steeply down the far side and continues another 4 miles to Junco Lake Trailhead. The north slope traverse from Lake Dorothy to Caribou Pass has a very short season due to drifting snow. The Arapaho Pass Trail continues north (right) and drops 750 feet down a series of switchbacks to Caribou Lake, a popular camping area with limited, designated campsites. Backcountry camping permits are required. From Caribou Lake the trail continues to gradually lose elevation, passing through Coyote Park, past Wheeler Basin, and following Arapaho Creek to Monarch Lake.

Length: Fourth of July TH to Diamond Lake Trail 1.2; Arapaho Glacier Trail 2.1; Arapaho Pass - 3.3 miles; 4th of July TH to Arapaho Glacier Overlook – 3.9 miles; 4th of July TH to Monarch Lake TH - 13 ½ miles. DISTANCES ARE ONE-WAY.

Details

Location:
20 miles west of Boulder
Setting:
Mountainous
Length:
6.5 mile roundtrip
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Time:
3 to 4 hours
Trailhead Elevation:
10100
Elevation Change:
1800
Season:
June - October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Maps: Monarch Lake and East Portal quads

Map + Directions

Basic Directions

From Nederland, west of Boulder, turn west on paved County Road 130, following signs for Eldora Ski Resort and the town of Eldora.

Go through the town of Eldora.

Continue westward as the pavement ends. Go right at the fork in the road.

Another 4 miles brings you to the Fourth of July Trailhead. This portion of the road is rough but passable in a passenger car.

This trailhead sees extremely high use, especially on weekends, and parking is limited.

Plan to arrive early and watch for signs along the road indicating legal parking spots if the trailhead parking lot is full.

For information on access from the Monarch Lake Trailhead on the western slope, contact the Sulphur Ranger District in Granby, 970-887-4100.


Copyright © 1997 - 2023 The Go Travel Sites. All Rights Reserved and.

Email Page Link

Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. You can send yourself an email as well. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. See our full Privacy Policy for details.
:
:
:
 
 
 
:
Copy Yourself on the Email Yes No
:
:

1

Select one or more Free Visitor Guides below

2

Complete the form to receive your guides by mail
Chaffee County Chaffee County Chaffee County
Central ColoradoMore than 100 miles of the Arkansas River and her tributaries flow through the heart of Chaffee County, gracing both Salida and Buena Vista with her beauty and world-renowned whitewater, fly-fishing, scenery and river festivals.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Colorado Springs
Central ColoradoFind yourself in Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak. We have five historic trains to transport you back to the days of cowboys and gold mining. Endless trails allow you to enjoy the abundant sunshine and spectacular scenery. A family vacation in Colorado Springs is the smart choice – great lodging values, a long list of low-cost or no-cost activities, and adventure around every corner. Order your free guide today.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Mesa Verde Country Mesa Verde Country Mesa Verde Country
SouthwestSouthwest Colorado's towns of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Towaoc embrace the archaeological center of America, anchored by world-renowned Mesa Verde National Park.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Red River Red River Red River
Northern New MexicoRed River, New Mexico! A place where fresh powder winters meet refreshing summer days. Red River offers something for everyone with its convenient scenic location in the heart of Northern New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle. Red River is the place that awakens us each day by the soothing sound of a rushing river and then again each evening as the sun sets over main street. The mountain town of Red River is New Mexico True.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Farmington Farmington Farmington
Northwestern New MexicoNorthwestern New Mexico is known by many as a magical place. Four Corners and the local Aztec Ruins are considered sacred ground for some and are fascinating to visit.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Trinidad Trinidad Trinidad
Southern ColoradoKnown as a heritage town with grand nineteenth-century architecture and brick streets that date to the early 1900s, Trinidad is set in a green valley halfway between Denver and Santa Fe. The town is surrounded by vast state and national recreation areas, including two state parks. Trinidad is the gateway to the Scenic Highway of Legends, where travelers find lakes and stunning dikes that radiate out from the ancient Spanish Peaks. Historic and prehistoric sites abound in every direction.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
South Fork South Fork South Fork
Southwestern ColoradoAre you looking for a naturalist paradise with affordability? Then look no further South Fork is your destination. A world class golf course, gold medal fishing in the Rio Grande, and thousands of acres of National Forest to hike, bike, ATV, ski and snowmobile through.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Palisade, Colorado Palisade, Colorado Palisade, Colorado
WesternLife Tastes Good Here all Year Long!
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Visit Moffat County Visit Moffat County Visit Moffat County
Northwestern ColoradoWelcome to Colorado’s Great Northwest, Moffat County has nearly 2 million acres of public lands to explore. Experience places like Dinosaur National Monument, the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Management Area and free flowing rivers including the mighty Yampa, last of the wild ones!
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Creede & Mineral County Creede & Mineral County Creede & Mineral County
Southwest ColoradoThis historic mining town offers contemporary boutiques for plenty of shopping but maintains its traditional character through remembrance of its roots. Our Underground Mining Museum and old mining tours hint at older times, yet you can still step back into the present by walking down Main Street, and into one of our unique and beautiful art galleries.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.