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Arapaho Glacier Trail

Basic Information:

Type: Day Hike - Out and Back
Distance (Total): 12.0 miles / 19.3 km
Elevation Gain:
Minimum Elevation:
Maximum Elevation: 12,700 feet / 3,871 meters
Hiking Season: - Summer - Fall
Things To See: - Glacier - Lake Views - Mountain Views
Difficulty: Strenuous
Rating: Trail has not been rated.
Nearby Town: Nederland, Colorado, United States

Description:

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The trail leads northward from the trailhead, entering the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It climbs through the woods for about two miles, then comes out onto the open tundra with a fine view into the City of Boulder Watershed, including Silver Lake, Island Lake, Goose Lake and Triple Lakes. This is private property, do not trespass. After more switchbacks, the trail crosses a col to the south side. From here it is little traveled and can be obscure in places as it continues gently along the side of the ridge. At the highest point on the trail (six miles from the trailhead), the hiker is offered a spectacular overlook of the Arapaho Glacier, the South Arapaho (13,397') and North Arapaho (13,502') Peaks. Past the glacier overlook, the Arapaho Glacier Trail descends 1,300' down a series of switchbacks to intersect the Arapaho Pass Trail at the Fourth of July Mine. Arapaho Pass is 1.2 miles farther west.