Rocky Mountain National Park's Black Canyon Trail

Black Canyon Trail

Description:
The Black Canyon Trail begins at the Twin Owls Trailhead at an elevation of 7,911 feet. It travels northwest for 7.5 miles and intersects the Lawn Lake Trail just below Lawn Lake at an elevation of 10,814 feet. The trail climbs and descends through elevations of over 11,000 feet resulting in an elevation change of 4,192 feet. The overall rating for this trail is moderate.

The trail travels west from the Twin Owls Trailhead making a level path for about 1.1 miles. You get great views of Lumpy Ridge just to the north. Several climbing access trails leave the Black Canyon Trail toward Lumpy Ridge. The trail passes through a wooden gate into some lush meadows. Be sure to latch the gate as there are usually cattle here. The trail then makes a moderate to steep climb through ponderosa pine to its intersection with the Dark Mountain Trail. It reaches this point in about three miles.

From the intersection, the trail makes a moderate to steep decent into Black Canyon. It levels off and parallels Black Canyon Creek. After passing the turnoff to the MacGregor Mountain campsite, it begins a moderate climb. There is a strenuous section after about 1.5 miles. From there it levels off for awhile as it passes the Bighorn Mountain campsite. Soon it climbs to Tileston Meadows in about .75 miles.

The trail crosses Black Canyon Creek beyond the west end of Tileston Meadows over a wooden bridge. From here it makes a rocky, moderate climb out of Black Canyon. It then steeply descends through a boulder field to the Lawn Lake Trail.

Features:

Length:	7.6 miles (12.2 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	7,786' - 11,087'
Elevation change:	4,193 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Oct 1
Difficulty:	Moderate to Strenuous
Use:	Moderate
USGS maps:	Estes Park
Trailheads:	Twin Owls
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The nearest access to this trail is via the Twin Owls Trailhead. Travel west on Highway 34 toward the Fall River Entrance. Turn right on Devils Gulch Road and go about .75 miles to the MacGregor Ranch. Follow the ranch road for about .7 miles to the parking area. The road to the parking area is narrow and not suitable for horse trailers. There is room for about 30 vehicles at the trailhead. This trailhead is popular with rock climbers and is often full.

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