Boulder, CO: Arapahoe Glacier Trail

Boulder, CO: Arapahoe Glacier Trail

From coniferous forests to intimate alpine lakes to views of the Continental Divide, this 12-miler offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	25 Sep 2008 10:52:36 PM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	11.55 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 15854 ft Total Loss: 15859 ft Net Change: -5 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Ward, Monarch Lake
Tags:	Continental Divide, Nederland, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado, Boulder
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

A strenuous trek into the heart of Indian Peaks Wilderness, the Arapahoe Glacier Trail is a 6-mile-long sustained climb through spruce and pine stands and mountaintop tundra that culminates with a 12,800-foot-high lookout next to the Continental Divide.

The first half of this heart-pounder is a shady, tree-covered journey with occasional views of Boulder County’s forested mountains. After climbing nearly 2,000 feet over 3 miles, 360-degree views reward the weary traveler. The deep blue waters of Island and Silver lakes lap up against Arapahoe Moraine’s green slopes. Goose Lake and its headwaters reach the base of the Continental Divide. Continue up rounded mountains on crushed granite singletrack. The trail switchbacks to a 12,000-foot saddle where hikers can enjoy 100-mile views of the Rockies. Follow the increasingly rocky trail for another 2 miles to Arapahoe Glacier Lookout, then retraces steps back to the trailhead.

-Mapped by MacKenzie Ryan and Chelise Simmons

TO TRAILHEAD: From downtown Boulder: Head northwest on Broadway Street/CO-93. Turn left onto Canyon Road. Continue for 14.6 miles. Turn right onto Hurricane Hill Drive. Make a slight left onto Ridge Road. Turn right onto Peak to Peak Highway/CO-72. Continue north and turn left at the sign for the University of Colorado's Mountain Research Center. Bear left at the fork in the dirt road and follow it past Rainbow Lakes Campground. Parking for Rainbow Lakes and Glacier Rim Trailheads is immediately after the campground on the right side of the road.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Arapahoe Glacier Trail

Dist: 11.55 mi	Points: 413	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

AGT001

Location: 40.010656°, -105.571489°
Glacier Rim Trailhead: Bear right onto Arapahoe Glacier Trail.

AGT002

Location: 40.016934°, -105.571060°
On the left side of the trail, a break in the trees reveals a sweeping panorama of Boulder County and the surrounding mountains.

AGT003

Location: 40.023283°, -105.586486°
After switchbacking uphill for a short distance, the trail begins to climb up a steep grade.

AGT004

Location: 40.022973°, -105.592894°
After hiking a few miles through pine and spruce cover, the trail reaches wide open space. From here, the thin, crushed granite singletrack travels west toward a series of long switchbacks.

AGT005

Location: 40.022995°, -105.597496°
Pass Goose and Silver lakes on the right. Continue east for a short distance, then turn up the mountain.

AGT006

Location: 40.014494°, -105.614152°
After following the switchbacks along the north face of the first mountain, reach a saddle with 360-degree views. West of this point, the Continental Divide stretches north to south. Eldora Ski Resort and Bald Mountain are directly south. Boulder and Denver are to the far east. After marveling at this scene, follow the ridgeline trail over a rocky, crushed granite trail.

AGT007

Location: 40.015783°, -105.643888°
Arapahoe Glacier Lookout: The Arapahoe Peaks form a bowl to the left. To continue further, bear left and continue 3 miles to Arapahoe Pass. To turn back, retrace steps back to Glacier Rim Trailhead.