Beartracks Lake Trail - Hiking trail near Evergreen, Colorado, United States - Description

Beginning at the Camp Rock Campground, the trail travels through a forested environment along a creek for about a mile, gradually climbing upwards. It then opens to a wildfire burn area. In 1998, about 485 acres burned in the Beartracks Fire. This fire is believed to have been started by a careless hiker. As you climb uphill and walk through some more woods, the trail opens again to 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 humans. However, there is beauty to be found in this destruction. Wildflowers offer a brilliant contrast to the charred trees left standing. Revisit this area in a year or more and observe the rebuilding of Mother Nature. Darting back into the woods again, the trail takes you to Beartracks Lake, which is nestled next to a rock cliff.

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