Mount Audubon and Paiute East

Dogs Leashed

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

Mt. Audubon dominates the skyline above the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area and is one of the most popular run in the area. And rightly so! It's the easiest of the big mountains, and the views are great. But almost no one continues from Mt. Audubon less than a mile to the west to the summit of Paiute Peak on the Continental Divide. And THAT is a real shame! The views along the traverse and from the summit are stunning in all directions, and the positions as you move up the rock are superb.

This is the first trail west of Brainard Lake to become passable in the Spring. It can be done without special equipment in mid to late June. It is best to get an early start. Lightning and thunderstorms are common in the early afternoon.

The Brainard Lake Road is open seasonally. During these months, a vehicle fee applies for trailheads located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

This can be a great high alpine run if you start early enough. Storms tend to hit this area hard later in the day. Be prepared for crowds, and please be courteous to other trails goers.

This route sits just in front of the Continental Divide and provides stunning views of both the Divide and its associated mountains, and the surrounding Front Range.

Due to its easily accessible nature, Mount Audubon is one of the more crowded runs in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. However, heading over the ridge to Paiute is MUCH quieter and almost no one continues on. However, if you're not an experienced runner, don't risk the run over to Paiute.

The Beaver Creek Trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness and climbs through the trees for
1.7 miles. Here, the Mount Audubon Trail turns left (west). Now above timberline, the Mount Audubon Trail continues to climb in a consistent manner with the exception of two somewhat steeper sections near the middle and end of the trail.

The developed trail ends at the saddle where there is a view down into the Coney Lake drainage. For the final mile and 600 vertical feet, follow the piles of rock (cairns) up the talus to the summit.

From the wind shelters at the summit of Mt. Audubon (there are at least five as of this writing), continue west down a broad slope of easy talus to the saddle at 12,600 feet. Now the real fun begins! Climb up as close to the ridge as possible on a reddish stone "sidewalk." The hiking is not difficult, but it's very exposed with steep slopes several thousand feet tall on both sides into lake-studded valleys. In a couple places you'll find much harder terrain on the ridgetop and in all cases you should deviate left (south) not right! At no spot will you need to do more than some Class 3 (easy hands-and-feet scrambling).

Paiute is a complicated peak with several high-points. I believe the western one (across a small notch) is the highest. Enjoy the view in all directions and contemplate your place in the universe.

Return via the traverse to sit smugly among the tourists on Audubon or choose another route. The north and west faces are jagged cliffs and not a good option. The south ridge is much less difficult than it looks and, via a long bit of scree and talus (or snow in season) descent, will bring you to Blue Lake for a great tour of the area.

Wildflowers, marmot, pika and moose.