Rocky Mountain National Park's Meeker Park

Meeker Park - Sandbeach Trail

Description:
The Meeker Park-Sandbeach Trail connects the Sandbeach Lake Trail with the Lookout Mountain Trail just west of Meeker Park. It begins from the Sandbeach Lake Trail at an elevation of 8,960 feet and descends about 200 feet to its intersection with the Lookout Mountain Trail at 8,757 feet. The trail begins 1.3 miles from the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead. It descends to the north into a gulch through spruce and lodgepole pine. From here it continues a gentle descent as the forest becomes more dense. After passing through an open aspen stand, it climbs out onto an open hillside dotted with ponderosa pine. You get good views of Meadow Mountain to the southeast.

The trail leaves the Park before coming to an intersection. Take the trail to the left to go back into the Park. The trail will intersect some more trails. Stay to the left at each intersection. After passing the last intersection, the trail makes a gentle descent to its intersection with the Lookout Mountain Trail. It passes an old mine shaft that has been sealed with rocks. It takes about 1.5 hours to hike this trail.

Features:

Length:	2.23 miles (3.58 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,757' - 9,006'
Elevation change:	687 feet
Season:	Jun 1- Nov 1
Difficulty:	Easy to moderate
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Allenspark
Trailheads:	Sandbeach Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Meeker Park - Sandbeach Trail begins from the Sandbeach Lake Trail. The nearest access to this trail in the Park is via the Sandbeach 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). The trailhead is next to the entrance station. Take the Sandbeach Lake Trail for about 1.3 miles to the Meeker Park - Sandbeach Trail.

You can also reach the trail from Meeker Park via CR 113N. It is about .7 miles on CR 113N to the beginning of the Lookout Mountain Trail. Hike .2 miles to the north end of the Meeker Park - Sandbeach Trail.

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