Rocky Mountain National Park's Beaver Mountain Trail

Beaver Mountain Trail

Description:
The Beaver Mountain Trail begins at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead at an elevation of 8,430 feet. It climbs to 9,251 feet on the east face of Beaver Mountain and makes a loop back to the road just east of the trailhead. It intersects the Ute Trail along the way.

The trail is wide in the beginning and makes a gentle climb through ponderosa pines to the west and then south. It stays in the trees past its junction with the Ute Trail. The trail makes a climb through a narrow gulch just prior to reaching the Ute Trail. If you climb the small ridge to the south you'll get great views of the Big Thompson River Valley and Moraine Park. The trail turns north at the Ute Trail and climbs the east face of Beaver Mountain. After a while it levels off and travels through aspen and lodgepole pines. It soon enters an open area and descends to a horse hitch rack. From here you get great views of Moraine Park.

The trail continues its descent through a dense, "dog hair" lodgepole pine forest. You really do feel like a flea on a dogs back. You'll soon cross Beaver Brook and come to another hitch rack in an aspen dotted meadow, a good spot for lunch. From here the trail climbs up a ridge, skirting the remnants of a recent fire. It soon enters a large open valley below Deer Ridge Junction. Turning south, it travels over a ridge and back to the Upper Beaver Meadows Road. Elk frequent the area covered by the last half of the trail. You're likely to see whole herds grazing in the open meadows or bedded down in the trees. Although half of the trail is of moderate slope, it is, overall, easy to hike.

Features:

Length:	4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,427' - 9,251'
Elevation change:	2,030 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Oct 15
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Low to moderate
USGS maps:	McHenrys Peak, Longs Peak, Estes Park
Trailheads:	Upper Beaver Meadows
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Beaver Mountain Trail can be accessed from the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. Take Highway 36 about 1.2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Upper Beaver Meadows Road (gravel). Follow this road about 1.4 miles to the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. There is room for 15 to 20 vehicles. A horse trailer can be parked in a wide area near the beginning of the loop. There are restroom facilities at this trailhead. Follow the trail across the creek to the west before is turns south.

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