Cascade Creek Trail
Description:
The
Cascade Creek Trail begins at the Monarch Lake Trailhead at an elevation of
8,340 feet and travels along the north side of the lake to the Arapaho - Cascade
junction. Here the trail is level and offers great views of the lake. The
trail turns east and starts up a narrow valley after entering the wilderness.
Soon you come to an intersection where the Cascade Creek Trail continues up
the valley and the Southside Trail takes you back around the other side of
the lake. The Cascade Creek Trail makes a gentle climb to the northeast to
a bridge across the stream that drains Hell Canyon. Soon you hear the rushing
sounds of Buchanan Creek. You get a good view of the creek just before climbing
the north side of the drainage, making several switchbacks along the way.
The junction with the Buchanan Pass Trail is reached in another mile. You
will travel through a large park like area of lodgepole pine as you approach
the junction.
At
the junction the trail travels east and then turns southeast (right) towards
Pawnee Pass. Cascade Falls is about 1.5 miles from the junction. These falls
are very beautiful and can be easily seen from the trail. Horses are not permitted
beyond the falls. The trail follows the north side of Cascade Creek for another
1.4 miles to the junction with the Crater Lake trail and the Pawnee Pass trail.
The Cascade Creek Trail climbs 1,700 feet to an elevation of 10,040 feet.
Open
campfires are not allowed in the travel zone above Cascade Falls. This trail
receives heavy day and overnight use and is of moderate difficulty.
Features:
| Length: |
6.4 miles (10.2 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
8,340' - 10,040' |
| Elevation change: |
1,700 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
High |
| USGS maps: |
Monarch Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Monarch Lake |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no campfires
or packstock above Cascade Falls |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (no bicycles in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes (no horses above Cascade Falls) |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 34 north from Granby to the entrance of the Arapaho National Recreation
Area. Travel east on Forest Road 125 for about 10 miles to the Monarch Lake
Trailhead.
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