Trail Guides

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.