Sandbar Trail
Description:
The Sandbar Trail connects
the Camp Lake Trail with the Rawah Trail near Rawah Lake #3. The trail begins
at an elevation of 10,560 feet and climbs to an elevation of 11,118 feet at
its intersection with the Rawah Trail. This trail passes through the vicinity
of five lakes: Big Rainbow, Upper Sandbar, Lower Sandbar, Rawah Lake #2, and
Rawah Lake #3.
After
leaving the Camp Lake Trail, the trail makes a moderate climb through a fairly
dense spruce forest. Near the top of the hill it meets a loop trail, Rainbow
Trail, that makes a "U" shaped loop past Big Rainbow Lake and Upper
Sandbar Lake and rejoining the Sandbar Trail again. There are signs at both
junctions. This loop winds its way through the spruce forest offering a fairly
level walk.
From
the east end of the Rainbow Loop the Sandbar Trail climbs over a rise and
down to a creek, crossing the creek and turning left to meet the west end
of the Rainbow Loop. Lower Sandbar Lake is a short distance to the right after
crossing the creek. From the west end of the Rainbow Loop the trail continues
west, making a gentle climb through some young spruce trees encroaching on
the trail.
The
trail ends above Rawah Lake #3 intersecting the Rawah Trail. There is a cutoff
trail just after the Sandbar Trail breaks out into the open tundra just southeast
of Rawah Lake #2. This trail is faint with rock cairns marking the way down
to a point just south of Rawah Lake #2. The Rawah Trail continues south from
the Sandbar Trail towards Grassy Pass.
Features:
| Length: |
1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
10,560' - 11,100' |
| Elevation change: |
639 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 30 |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Use: |
Low |
| USGS maps: |
Rawah Lakes |
| Trailheads: |
West Branch |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
The Sandbar Trail is located in the Rawah Wilderness and
can be reached via the West Branch and Rawah trails or the West Branch and
Camp Lake trails. Both routes originate at the West Branch Trailhead. Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte. Continue on Highway 287 to
Highway 14. Travel west on 14 for 50 miles to the Laramie River Road. Turn
right and travel 6.3 miles to the West Branch Trailhead. The trailhead is
on the left side of the road. Take the West Branch / Camp Lake route for 8.5
miles to the east end of the Sandbar Trail or the West Branch / Rawah route
for 7.6 miles to the west end of the Sandbar Trail.
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