Finch Lake Cutoff Trail
Description:
The Finch Lake Cutoff Trail begins at the Finch
Lake Trailhead at 8,488 feet. It climbs to its intersection with the Finch
Lake-Pear Lake and Allenspark trails at 9,613 feet. The trail travels south
and then east from the trailhead and makes a long (.8 miles) climb along the
south face of the ridge. The trail can be quite narrow along this stretch
with a steep slope on either side. This makes it difficult for horses to pass.
After cresting the ridge, the trail makes a gentle descent to the southwest
through a grove of aspens along side of some grassy meadows. This is a pleasant
walk through this area.
After intersecting a cutoff
trail to the Allenspark Trail, the trail turns west and climbs over a series
of rock steps through a dense lodgepole pine forest. You get some good views
of Mount Meeker in spots near the top. It turns southwest as it levels off
and soon reaches the intersection with the Allenspark and Finch Lake-Pear
Lake trails. The total distance for this trail is 2.26 miles.
Features:
| Length: |
2.26 miles (3.63 kilometers) |
|
Elevation Range:
|
8,488' - 9,613' |
| Elevation change: |
1,125 feet |
| Season: |
June 1 - Nov 1 |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to moderate |
| Use: |
Low to moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Allenspark |
| Trailheads: |
Finch Lake |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are permitted
|
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Directions:
The
Finch Lake Cutoff Trail begins from the Finch Lake Trailhead. Take Highway
7 south from Estes Park for about 10.8 miles to the Wild Basin Area turnoff
(about 3.8 miles south of the Longs Peak access road). Turn right and follow
the road for about .4 miles to the Wild Basin Entrance (just past the Wild
Basin Lodge). Follow the narrow dirt road for about 1.8 miles to the Finch
Lake Trailhead on the left side of the road. There is room for about 15 vehicles
on the south side of the road.
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