Caribou Pass Trail
Description:
The
Caribou Pass Trail begins at the Junco Lake Trailhead (10,045 feet) and travels
along the east side of Meadow Creek to the junction with the Columbine Lake
trail. The distance is about 1.75 miles. It travels on an old road bed that
can be quite rocky at times. This part of the trail is fairly easy to hike.
There is the remains of an old cabin to the right of the trail just before
it enters the wilderness. There are some good camping sites near it. The wilderness
begins near the west end of a large meadow. The trail follows the north side
of the meadow to its intersection with the Columbine Lake Trail. You get a
great view of the surrounding peaks and Caribou Pass from this point.
The
trail continues through heavily forested areas and meadows in a moderately
steep ascent to Caribou Pass (about 1.5 miles). You’ll break out onto the
alpine tundra about a quarter mile from the pass. The elevation of the pass
is 11851 feet. The trail through the pass follows a ledge around the side
of the mountain to intersect with the Arapaho Pass Trail on the other side.
The ledge can be quite narrow in spots making it inadvisable for pack stock.
The views are spectacular but not for the faint hearted. You sometimes feel
like you are hanging out in space and it’s a long way down to Caribou Lake.
As you leave the ledge and hike over a rise you’ll see Lake Dorothy. Lake
Dorothy (the highest lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness - 12,051 feet) is
less than a quarter mile south of the trail.
Campfires
are permitted along the lower reaches of the trail but a stove only policy
is in effect for the upper reaches. Fishing is good for cutthroat trout in
Lake Dorothy.
Features:
| Length: |
4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
10,045' - 12,110' |
| Elevation change: |
2,269 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
Moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Monarch Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Junco Lake, Fourth of July |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no campfires
on upper portions of the trail |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (no bicycles in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes (lower reaches only) |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other
Nearby Resources:
Directions:
From
Granby take Highway 40 south to County Road 83 at Tabernash. Shortly after turning
left on 83 turn left on CR84 and left after !/2 mile on Forest Road 129. Travel
north for about 11 miles to Meadow Creek Reservoir. Continue around the reservoir
to the Junco Lake Trailhead and the west end of the trail.
The east end of the trail can be reached via the Arapaho
Pass Trail. Take County Raods 130 and 111 from Nederland to the Fourth of
July Trailhead. From here hike 3.2 miles on the Arapaho Pass Trail to its
intersection with the Caribou Pass Trail.
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