Arapaho Pass Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

A long, but doable trail running experience - all at high elevation.

From the Fourth of July TH, the Arapaho Pass Trail climbs the wooded, northern slope of the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It eventually intersects with the Diamond Lake Trail #975 before continuing onto the Fourth of July Mine (elevation 11,245 feet).

In June and early July, significant snowfields and high water crossings exist along portions of this trail. At the mine, the Arapaho Glacier Trail #905 intersects. From here, the Arapaho Pass Trail continues west 1.2 miles to Arapaho Pass (elevation 11,906 feet).

For a side trip, continue west along the ridge for about 0.25 miles to visit Lake Dorothy (elevation 12,061 feet). The Caribou Pass Trail continues on an impressive old road, blasted into a cliff to Caribou Pass. Some parts of this trail are narrow and not for the faint of heart.

The Arapaho Pass Trail continues north (right) and drops 750 feet down a series of switchbacks to Caribou Lake. From here, a nine-mile run on this trail leads to Monarch Lake. This section of descends more steadily through heavily wooded terrain eventually terminating at the Continental Divide Scenic Trail.