Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Beartracks Lake Trail #43

The Beartracks Lake Trail is about 4.5 miles one way and is rated as More Difficult.

Elevations:

• Trailhead: 9,100'
• Destination: 11,150'

Trailhead Location: From Evergreen, take Upper Bear Creek Road for about 10 miles to the Mount Evans State Wildlife Area.

Beginning at the Camp Rock Campground, the trail travels through a forested environment along a creek gradually climbing upwards for about a mile. It then opens up into a wildfire burn area. About 485 acres burned in the Beartracks Fire back in 1998. This fire is believed to have been started by a careless hiker. As you climb uphill and walk through more forest, the trail opens again into yet another wildfire-burned area. This is the Resthouse Meadow Fire that burned 1,076 acres in 1964. The Resthouse Meadow Fire is also believed to have been caused by careless humans. However, there is some beauty to be found after the destruction. Wildflowers offer a brilliant contrast to the charred trees still standing. Come back to this area in a year or so and you can see the rebuilding of Mother Nature. Heading back into the woods again, the trail takes you to Beartracks Lake, nestled next to a rock cliff.