St Vrain Glacier Trail
Description:
The
St Vrain Glacier trail is located in the Indian Peak Wilderness and can be
reached via the Buchanan Pass trail. From the trailhead west of the Camp Dick
Campground, follow the Buchanan Pass trail for about 5 miles to the start
of the St Vrain Glacier trail. The trail begins at an elevation of 9913 feet
and ascends to an elevation of 11180 feet at Lake Gibraltar. The trail leaves
the Buchanan Pass trails and follows a narrow grassy meadow between stands
of spruce and subalpine firs trees. The climb here is very gentle. After about
a mile it begins to get a little steeper but soon levels off. The trail then
drops down to the Middle St Vrain Creek and makes of first of three crossings
of this stream. A rock cairn marks the trail on the opposite side.
After
crossing the stream a second time, the trail winds its way through the forest
and small meadows until it comes to a large pond created by debris damming
the stream. You must cross the stream here to continue on the trail. The pond
is three to four feet deep behind the dam. You can cross the stream below
the dam where it is shallow, try to cross over the dam, or through the pond
if you are on horseback. The water in the pond will come over your boots if
on horseback. On the other side the trail continues its climb up through the
valley. There is a beautiful waterfall rushing off the hill to left along
the way.
As
you get closer to the glacier area the terrain becomes very rocky. You’ll
have to tie your livestock below this area as it is much too dangerous for
them to negotiate. The last half mile of the trail travels up a draw filled
with large boulders. The trail becomes very faint but generally follows the
left side of the draw. At the end of the draw the terrain is a mix of alpine
tundra and boulder fields. The trail is nonexistent here. The St Vrain Glaciers
lie in the cliffs to the west and northwest of this point. Work your way up
through the rocks to a ridge below the glaciers. Lake Gibraltar (more like
a glacial pool) lies on the other side of the ridge. It takes about two hours
to hike to the glacial pools.
This
trail receives moderate use and is of moderate difficulty. It lies in the
Middle St Vrain travel zone where camping, day hiking, and livestock are permitted.
Open campfires are not allowed (stoves only).
Features:
| Length: |
3 miles (4.9 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
9,913' - 11,180' |
| Elevation change: |
1,267 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
Moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Allenspark, Isolation Peak |
| Trailheads: |
Middle St Vrain |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no campfires |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes (except last .25 miles) |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
The St Vrain Glacier Trail is located in the Indian Peaks
Wilderness and can be reached via the Buchanan Pass Trail from the Middle
St Vrain Trailhead. Take Highway 7 west from Lyons approximately 12 miles
or Highway 7 south from Estes Park about 18 miles to Highway 72. Turn south
on 72 and travel approximately five miles to the Peaceful Valley Campground.
Turn west through the campground and on to Camp Dick Campground (about a mile).
The trailhead is located at the west end of the Camp Dick Campground. Hike
about 5 miles on the Buchanan Pass trail to the start of the St Vrain Glacier
Trail.
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