by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Trail GuidesWild Basin Trail Guide - Summer |
Summer Wild Basin Trail Guide for Rocky Mountain National Park (NP) in Colorado. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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covered parks
Rocky Mountain
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Rocky Mountain National Park
Wild Basin Area
Summer Trail Guide
Welcome to Wild Basin. Rich in wildlife and scenery, this deep valley has flowing
rivers, roaring waterfalls, and sparkling lakes rimmed by remote, jagged peaks.
Tips for a
Great Hike
Narrow Road, Limited Parking
Wild Basin Road is gravel and often narrows to
one lane. It isn’t suitable for large vehicles like
RVs. Park only in designated areas. Don’t park
in wide spots in the road, which let oncoming
cars pass each other. Violators may be ticketed
or towed.
You Must Properly Store Food Items at
Trailheads and Wilderness Campsites
Improperly stored food items attract wildlife,
including black bears, which can visit any time
of day. Food items are food, drinks, toiletries,
cosmetics, pet food and bowls, and odiferous
attractants. Garbage, including empty cans
and food wrappers, must be stored or put in
trash or recycling bins.
Always carry storm gear, even if the sky is clear
when you start your hike.
It might be summer, but expect snow, gusty
winds, and cold temperatures at any time.
Carry layers of windproof clothing. If the
weather turns, you’ll be glad to have them.
Bring the Right Gear
33Bring waterproof outer layers and extra layers for warmth.
Day Use Visitors
• You must store all food items and garbage
inside vehicle trunks.
33Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin,
even on cloudy days.
• In vehicles without trunks, put items as low
in the vehicle as possible and covered from
sight, with windows and doors closed and
locked.
33Pack extra water and snacks. Don’t drink
from streams or lakes without treating the
water.
Overnight Visitors
• You must store all food items in food storage
lockers. Leaving food items or garbage in a
vehicle is not allowed.
33Wear sturdy footwear with good ankle support and a treaded sole.
There are food storage lockers at Wild Basin,
Finch Lake, and Sandbeach Lake trailheads.
Pay Attention to Altitude
High elevations can cause altitude sickness
and may aggravate existing health conditions.
Use caution. Take time to acclimatize to the
park’s high altitude before attempting strenuous hikes. Rest, drink lots of fluids, eat salty
snacks, and start with easy hikes.
Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation
can be intense at altitude. Protect yourself by
wearing a hat, sunglasses with UV protection,
and sunscreen.
For More
Information
Watch the Weather: It Changes Quickly!
Thunderstorms are common in summer and
are dangerous. Plan your day to be below
treeline by early afternoon. If you see building
storm clouds, head back to the trailhead. If
caught in a lightning storm, get below treeline.
33Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know
how to use them.
33Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have
no service.
Stay Safe and Practice Good Etiquette
• Pets are prohibited on all Rocky
Mountain National Park trails, tundra,
and meadows areas. To learn more, visit
go.nps.gov/RockyPets.
• Stay together! Keep everyone, including
children, with the group.
• Stay on the trail. Shortcutting causes
erosion.
• Strollers aren’t permitted on any trails in the
Wild Basin area.
Park Information...................................................... (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo
Trail Ridge Road Status............................................ (970) 586-1222
Emergencies ............................................................ 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky
Mountain National Park, Colorado
WB-S 5-2017
Wild Basin Area Trails
To
Estes Park
Rocky is very busy in summer and on fall weekends.
Mount Meeker
13911ft
4240m
Expect congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails.
Tour and hike early and late in the day. Parking areas often fill by midmorning. Consider carpooling to the trailhead.
Keplinger
Lake
7
Snowbank
Lake
0.7mi
1.1km
Meeker Park
h
r t
Trio Falls
id
Falcon
Lake
g
Thunder
Falls
e
1.3mi
2.1km
Sandbeach
Lake
N o rth
St.
Vra
in
Isolation Peak
0.4mi
0.6km
1.8mi
2.9km
12632ft
3850m
Sandbeach Lake
Trailhead
Cr
ee
k
1 Kilometer
0.5
1 Mile
Wild Basin
Entrance
Station
Copeland
Lake
2.9mi
4.7km
Wild Basin Trailhead
Eagle Lake
Mahana Peak
0.5
Lyric Falls
ek
Cre
1.3mi
2.1km
0.4mi
0.6km
1.4mi
2.3km
Creek
1.2mi
1.9km
in
Vra
St.
h
Nort
0.9mi
1.4km
0.3mi
0.5km
Finch Lake
Trailhead
Copeland
Falls
0.9mi
1.4mi
2.3km
1.4km
0.9mi
1.4km
1.3mi
2.1km
ek
Cre
Winter Gate
0.3mi
0.5km
1.3mi
2.1km
Ouzel
Falls
B
el
Ouz
dbea
ch
0.4mi
0.6km
Ouzel
Lake
7
0.3mi
0.5km
0.8mi
1.3km
Calypso
Cascades
Allenspark
A
Bluebird
Lake
San
Twin
Lakes
Cree
k
13118ft
3998m
Restrooms
10715ft
3266m
11724ft
3573m
Mertensia
Falls
Frigid
Lake
Trail distances
1.8mi
2.9km
Box
Lake
Moomaw
Glacier
Fifth
Lake
2.2mi
3.5km
Thunder
Lake
12420ft
3786m
Picnic area
Lookout Mountain
L D
W I
Lake of
Many Winds
Tanima Peak
Trail (hiker only)
0
Hunters
Mount Orton
Boulder-Grand
Pass
Information
0
10344ft
3153m
R
Lion Lake
No. 1
Fan
Falls
Trail (horse/hiker)
North
Horsetooth Peak
Pilot
Mountain
Trailhead
o
Lion Lake
No. 2
13310ft
4057m
N
Mount Alice
Unpaved road
2.2mi
3.5km
S
Pipit Lake
To Lyons
and Nederland
I
N
Ouzel Peak
12716ft
3876m
DESTINATION
Copeland Mountain
Junco
Lake
13176ft
4016m
2.0mi
3.2km
Pear
Lake
k
ee
Cr
Cony Lake
Ogalalla Peak
13138ft
4004m
Hutcheson
Elk Tooth
12848ft
3916m
La
ke
s
Cony
Finch
Lake
DISTANCE
mi
km
From Wild Basin Trailhead
Copeland Falls
0.3 0.5
Calypso Cascades
1.8 2.9
Ouzel Falls
2.7 4.3
Ouzel Lake
4.9 7.9
Thunder Lake
6.6 10.6
Lion Lake No. 1
7.0 11.3
Bluebird Lake
6.3 10.1
Finch Lake
5.3 8.5
ELEVATION GAIN
ft
m
15
700
950
1510
2074
2565
2478
1412
5
213
290
460
632
782
755
430
DESTINATION
DISTANCE
mi
km
ELEVATION GAIN
ft
m
From Finch Lake Trailhead
Finch Lake
4.5 7.2
Pear Lake
6.5 10.5
1442
2112
440
644
From Sandbeach Lake Trailhead
Sandbeach Lake
4.2 6.8
1971
601
All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.