Lake Of The Clouds Trail
Description:
The Lake of the Clouds Trail begins on the
west side of the Grand Ditch after crossing over a foot bridge. Horses are
not permitted on this trail. The trail begins to climb through a spruce forest
along Big Dutch Creek. It passes by some ruins of some cabins just before
getting to the Hitchens Gulch campsite. The trail continues along Big Dutch
Creek, traveling through some meadows. It gets a little faint as it climbs
over a rocky area. The trail ends in an open area below a steep ridge. There
is a vast area of boulder fields just over the ridge. Lake of the Clouds lies
below Mount Cirrus out of sight in the boulder field. You have to scramble
over a lot of boulders to get to the lake. It is not easy to find.
Features:
| Length: |
1.0 miles (1.6 kilometers) |
|
Elevation Range:
|
10,244' -10,961' |
| Elevation change: |
716 feet |
| Season: |
Jun 15 - Oct 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
Low |
| USGS maps: |
Fall River Pass, Mount
Richtofen |
| Trailheads: |
Colorado River, Never
Summer |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are permitted
|
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted) |
| Suitable for horses: |
No |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Directions:
The
nearest trailhead to this trail is the Colorado River Trailhead on the west
side of the Park. The trailhead is just west of Trail Ridge Road about 10.2
miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance and about 31 miles from the Beaver
Meadows Entrance. Take the Lulu City Trail for about .44 miles to its intersection
with the Red Mountain Trail. The Red Mountain Trail makes a moderate climb
for 3.2 miles to the Grand Ditch Trail. The Lake of the Clouds Trail is 1.75
miles north on the Grand Ditch Trail.
You can also access the trail
from the Never Summer Trailhead on the Long Draw Road. Take Highway 287 north
from Fort Collins to La Porte. Continue on 287 north to Highway 14. Travel
west on 14 for 52 miles to the Long Draw Road. Turn left and travel 12.5 miles
to the trailhead at the end of the road.
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