| From the Fourth of July Trailhead, the Arapaho Pass Trail #904 climbs the wooded, northern slope of the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage. It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This well-constructed trail traverses a side hill, crossing steep slopes full of flowers in the early summer.After 1.2 miles, the Diamond Lake Trail #975 veers left where the Arapaho Pass Trail takes a switchback to the right. The trail climbs for another half mile, and then follows a bench to the Fourth of July Mine (elevation 11,245'), 2.1 miles from the trailhead. At the mine, the Arapaho Glacier Trail #905 intersects. Following this trail to the northeast (right) leads up to the Arapaho Glacier Overlook and eventually down to Rainbow Lakes Campground.The Arapaho Pass Trail continues west on an old road 1.2 miles to Arapaho Pass (elevation 11,906') and the intersection with the Caribou Trail, #11. For a side trip, follow trail #11 west for about one-fourth mile to visit Lake Dorothy (elevation 12,061').The Caribou Trail continues on an impressive old road, blasted into a cliff, to Caribou Pass, but the road is sliding away. Some parts are now less than a trail width and not for the faint of heart. This road runs out at Caribou Pass. A trail drops steeply down the far side and continues another four miles to Junco Lake Trailhead.The north slope traverses from Lake Dorothy to Caribou Pass has a very short season due to drifting snow. The Arapaho Pass Trail continues north (right) and drops 750 feet down a series of switchbacks to Caribou Lake, a popular camping area with limited, designated campsites. From Caribou Lake the trail continues to gradually lose elevation, passing through Coyote Park, past Wheeler Basin, and following Arapaho Creek to Monarch Lake.This trail has been rated "more difficult" and has heavy usage. It begins at an elevation of 10,100 feet and then climbs to 11,906 feet at Arapaho Pass and finally descends to 8,346 feet at Monarch Lake Trailhead. Depending on how far visitors wish to hike, a round trip can be anywhere from 2.4 to 27 miles. |
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