Mount Audubon Trail
Description:
The
Mount Audubon Trail begins at about the 1.7 mile point on the Beaver Creek
Trail. The elevation here is 11,300 feet. This trail is of moderate difficulty
and sees very heavy use from July 1 to September 15. The trail is a about
2.2 miles long and completely exposed to lightning storms on the alpine tundra.
It steadily climbs in a northwesterly arc to the summit of Mount Audubon.
The terrain is very rocky in many areas along the trail. It crosses several
rock talus slopes along the way. The trail is very faint across these areas.
Look for rock cairns to mark the way.
The
trail reaches the base of the rock-covered summit on a level bench area. The
views of Rocky Mountain National Park are quite spectacular. Here numerous
pika scurry around among the rock and grassy areas gathering food for their
winter cache.
The
climb to the summit is a steep climb about .4 miles over a boulder field covering
the peak. There are some rock cairns marking the preferred route near the
base of the slope but near the top you have to find your own route. This is
not a technical climb but can be physically demanding. The summit is relatively
flat but completely rock covered. It can be quite windy on top. Wind breaks
have been built from rocks to offer some protection. The view from the top
is unbelievable. You can see for long distances in all directions. The views
of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park are spectacular.
The
trail is located in the Four Lakes Travel Zone of the Indian Peaks Wilderness
where day hiking only is allowed. This trail is best hiked in the morning
before the build up of afternoon thunderstorms. The trip on the Mount Audubon
trail takes about four hours round trip. It takes about six hours from the
Beaver Creek Trailhead.
Features:
| Length: |
2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
10,375' - 13,223' |
| Elevation change: |
1,848 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
Very high |
| USGS maps: |
Ward |
| Trailheads: |
Beaver Creek |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no camping
orcampfires, no packstock |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (no bicycles in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
No (not permitted) |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 72 north from Nederland approximately eight miles to Ward. Turn west
on Forest Road 112 and travel about 3 miles to the entrance to the Brainard
Lake Recreation Area (there is a fee). It is another two miles to
Brainard Lake. Follow the road around the north side of the lake to the turnoff
to the Mitchell Lake parking area. Turn right to the parking area. The Beaver
Creek Trailhead is located at the north end of the parking lot.
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