Crater Lake Trail
Description:
The
Crater Lake Trail begins on the Cascade Creek Trail at an elevation of 10040
feet and climbs to Crater Lake at 10350 feet. The trail travels primarily
through spruce and subalpine forest and is of moderate difficulty. It passes
over solid rock areas and wet meadows. Small rock cairns point the way over
some of the solid rock areas. Shortly after beginning the trail it makes a
sharp left. Another well used trail go off to the right. Don't take this trail
as it only leads down into the rocks.
The
trail levels off about half way and follows a stream. It crosses the stream
on a log foot bridge and continues up to Mirror Lake where it again levels
off. Crater Lake is not far beyond. The trail ends midway around the lake.
Crater Lake is surrounded on three sides by shear rock faces. A waterfall
at the south end breaks the silence of the night. Lone Eagle Peak dominates
the landscape around Crater Lake. This towering spire is situated near the
northeast end of the lake. Great pictures can be taken from the west shore
of Crater Lake and the north side of Mirror Lake.
Mirror
Lake has small brook trout and Crater Lake has brook and rainbow trout as
well as small Mackinaw. This is a very popular area and receives heavy day
and overnight use. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only and no
open campfires are allowed (stove only). Livestock are not permitted on this
trail.
Features:
| Length: |
1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
10,040' - 10,350' |
| Elevation change: |
310 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
High |
| USGS maps: |
Monarch Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Monarch Lake, Long Lake |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no campfires,
camping in designated sites only |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (no bicycles in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Not permitted |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other
Nearby Resources:
Directions:
The
Crater Lake Trail is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and can be reached
via the Cascade Creek or Pawnee Pass trails. From Granby take Highway 34 north
to the entrance to the Arapaho National Recreation Area. Travel east on Forest
Road 125 for about 10 miles to the Monarch Lake Trailhead. Take the Cascade
Creek Trail for about 6.3 miles to the Crater Lake Trail.
Take
Highway 72 north from Nederland approximately eight miles to Ward. Turn west
on Forest Road 112 and travel about five miles to the Brainard Lake Recreation
Area and the Long Lake Trailhead. Hike about 7.7 miles on the Pawnee Pass Trail
to the Crater Lake Trail.
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