by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
Trail GuidesWild Basin Trail Guide - Winter |
Winter Wild Basin Trail Guide for Rocky Mountain National Park (NP) in Colorado. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
featured in
National Parks Pocket Maps | ||
Colorado Pocket Maps |
Pay Attention to
Weather and
Conditions
Expect snow, gusty winds, and cold
temperatures at any time. Winter
days are short—start early and plan
conservatively.
Streams and lakes can have thin ice and
be very dangerous. If you choose to
Watch for
Hypothermia
When your body loses heat faster than
it can produce it, your body temperature begins to drop. This is an emergency medical condition called hypothermia. It is serious and can be fatal.
Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, exhaustion, loss of coordination,
impaired judgment, and slurred or
incoherent speech.
Bring the Right
Gear
33Wear layers of synthetic or wool
clothing that wick moisture.
cross, first test your steps with a pole.
Only travel off-trail if you are extremely
familiar with the area. Snow-covered
landscapes look very different than in
summer. Snow can be deep once you
are off-trail.
Emergencies
Wild Basin Area
Winter Trail Guide
Sunlight can damage your eyes and
skin even on cold days.
33Drink lots of water and eat highenergy snacks.
33Bring windproof outer layers, a warm
hat, and warm gloves or mittens.
33Carry a map and compass or GPS.
Know how to use them.
Don’t walk or snowshoe in ski tracks: it
Rocky Mountain National Park
If symptoms occur, warm the chilled
person with dry clothing and warm,
non-alcoholic liquids. Get back to
your car, and promptly seek medical
attention.
33Take extra layers of clothing (socks
included).
Sledding is not allowed in Wild
Basin. Please go to the Hidden Valley
Snowplay Area, the only place in Rocky
where sledding is permitted.
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Wear warm, quick-drying layers of
clothes. Stay dry. Take frequent stops to
warm up.
33Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
Follow the Rules
and Practice Good
Etiquette
Rocky Mountain
Exploring the outdoors in winter is truly magical. It’s also
challenging. Use this map and guide to plan a safe, fun trip.
Be prepared, stay safe, and have fun!
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 the
winter parking lot or other designated
areas. Don’t park in wide spots in the
road, which let oncoming cars pass
each other. Violators may be ticketed or
towed.
Be Avalanche
Aware
Avalanches can be easily triggered by
backcountry travelers.
• If you choose to travel in these areas,
carry an avalanche beacon, probe,
and shovel. However, don’t take extra
risks just because you are carrying
this equipment.
creates dangerous conditions for skiers.
You must be in control at all times and
let others know when you’re approaching them. Yield to those traveling faster
than you. Pass with care.
Park Information........................................ (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo
Emergencies .............................................. 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky
Mountain National Park, Colorado
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
WB-W 11-2016
• Visit avalanche.state.co.us/ for the
latest avalanche forecast. If danger is
high, consider staying home.
• Avoid traveling in steep gullies and on • If caught in an avalanche, make swimming motions and try to stay on top
ridge tops. Open slopes of 30 to 45
of the snow.
degrees can be loaded with dangerous masses of snow.
Wild Basin Area Trails
To
Estes Park
Rocky can be busy on winter weekends.
Mount Meeker
13911ft
4240m
Congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails is
possible. Parking areas can fill by mid-morning. Consider carpooling
to the trailhead.
Keplinger
Lake
Closed road
0
o
Meeker Park
h
r t
Trio Falls
Trail distances
North
N
Lion Lake
No. 2
13310ft
4057m
0.7mi
1.1km
Trail
7
Snowbank
Lake
Mount Alice
Trailhead
Unpaved road
0.5
0
1 Kilometer
0.5
1 Mile
Horsetooth Peak
Fan
Falls
Falcon
Lake
10344ft
3153m
id
Lion Lake
No. 1
R
Pilot
Mountain
g
Thunder
Falls
Hunters
e
Lookout Mountain
10715ft
3266m
Mount Orton
Lake of
Many Winds
Tanima Peak
Thunder
Lake
12420ft
3786m
N o rth
Eagle Lake
St.
Vra
in
Isolation Peak
Mahana Peak
0.4mi
0.6km
1.8mi
2.9km
12632ft
3850m
1.3mi
2.1km
Sandbeach
Lake
1.3mi
2.1km
ek
Cre
0.4mi
0.6km
1.4mi
2.3km
dbea
ch
Creek
0.3mi
0.5km
1.2mi
1.9km
1.3mi
2.1km
Ouzel
Falls
B
el
Ouz
Copeland
Lake
in
Vra
St.
h
Nort
0.9mi
1.4km
0.3mi
0.5km
Wild Basin
Winter Trailhead
0.6mi
1.0km
0.2mi
0.3km
ek
Cre
Finch Lake
Trailhead
1.4mi
2.3km
Copeland
Falls
0.9mi
1.4km
0.9mi
1.4km
1.3mi
2.1km
Gate
7
0.3mi
0.5km
0.8mi
1.3km
Calypso
Cascades
Allenspark
A
Bluebird
Lake
Wild Basin
Trailhead
0.4mi
0.6km
Ouzel
Lake
Wild Basin
Entrance
Station
2.9mi
4.7km
San
Twin
Lakes
Cree
k
13118ft
3998m
Sandbeach Lake
Trailhead
Cr
ee
k
Mertensia
Falls
Frigid
Lake
Lyric Falls
1.8mi
2.9km
Box
Lake
Moomaw
Glacier
Fifth
Lake
2.2mi
3.5km
L D
W I
Boulder-Grand
Pass
11724ft
3573m
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 Winter Trailhead
Copeland Falls
1.1 1.8
Calypso Cascades
2.6 4.2
Ouzel Falls
3.5 5.6
Ouzel Lake
5.7 9.2
Thunder Lake
7.4 11.9
Lion Lake No. 1
7.8 12.6
Bluebird Lake
7.1 11.4
Finch Lake
6.1 9.8
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 Wild Basin Winter Trailhead (continued)
Finch Lake
5.1 8.2
1442
Pear Lake
7.1 11.4
2112
440
644
From Sandbeach Lake Trailhead
Sandbeach Lake
4.2 6.8
601
1971
All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.