Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Arapaho Pass Trail #904

4th of July Trailhead to: (one way)

• Diamond Lake Trail: 1.2 miles
• Arapaho Glacier Overlook: 3.9 miles
• Monarch Lake Trailhead: 13.5 miles

Elevations:

• 10,100' at 4th of July Trailhead
• 11,906' at Arapaho Pass
• 8,346' at Monarch Lake Trailhead

Extremely heavy use June through October (open year round)

Rating: More difficult

USGS Maps: Monarch Lake, East Portal quads

Trailhead Location: From Nederland turn west off of Highway 119 onto paved County Road 130, following signs for Eldora Ski Resort and the town of Eldora. Go through the town of Eldora and continue westward as the pavement ends, go right at the fork in the road. Another four miles brings you to the 4th of July Trailhead. This portion of the road is rough but passable in a passenger car. This trailhead sees extremely high use, especially on weekends, and parking is limited. Plan to arrive early and watch for signs along the road indicating where legal parking spots are located if the trailhead parking lot is full. For more information on access from the Monarch Lake Trailhead on the western slope, contact the Sulphur Ranger District in Granby, 970-887-4100.

From the 4th of July Trailhead, the Arapaho Pass Trail climbs the wooded, northern slope of the North Fork in the Middle Boulder Creek drainage. Shortly it enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This well-constructed trail traverses a side hill and crosses steep slopes full of wildflowers in the early summer. After 1.2 miles, the Diamond Lake Trail veers left while the Arapaho Pass Trail takes a switchback to the right. The trail climbs for another half mile, then follows a bench to the Fourth of July Mine (elevation 11,245'), 2.1 miles from the trailhead. At the mine is the intersection with the Arapaho Glacier Trail. 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 jeep trail about 1.2 miles to Arapaho Pass (elevation 11,906') and the intersection with the Caribou Trail. For a side trip, follow the Caribou Trail west for about a quarter-mile to visit Lake Dorothy (elevation 12,061'). The Caribou Trail continues on an impressive old road blasted into a cliff up to Caribou Pass, but be careful: the road is slowly 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 traverse 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. Backcountry camping permits are required. From Caribou Lake the trail continues to gradually lose elevation, passing through Coyote Park and following Arapaho Creek to Monarch Lake.