South Arapahoe Peak via Arapahoe Glacier Trail is a 8.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Published 2018/10/16 by Spencer Logan - Forecaster, CAIC Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We had to lean into it to not fall backward and the cold was bone-chilling - pack a windbreaker! About a half-mile in, a trail runner passed us that described the trail ahead as 'bananas' about three miles in. Actually hoping to connect somehow with the kind person (green shirt/brown pants/black backpack) who stopped to show me the map on his phone and let me know he uses All Trails. We quickly understood what 'bananas' meant as we reached the tree line. Wonderful and less trafficked alternative to a 14er. To get to the ranked summit by the standard route, you will need to go over the unranked, south summit. As the southernmost 13er in the Indian Peaks, you need to go 12 miles south as the crow flies to find another 13er and a whopping 24 miles southwest to find Pettingell Peak, the next higher mountain. August 1, 1998. If you live either north or south of Eldora, use the following directions: Go north or south on Colorado 119 to the town of Nederland. August 1, 1998. I found that the arrows kept you higher on the ridge than the cairns did. The Arapaho Peaks are a very prominent set of peaks that stand as the tallest two mountains in the Indian Peaks Range. North Arapaho Peak (13,500 feet) also holds claim to being the highest summit on the Continental Divide north of Denver. Views of the Arapaho glacier, the Tenmile Range, Gore Range, and Indian Peaks. It was amazing being on top of that mountain with no one around. This was a super cool trail! Make sure to stay up closer to the ridge coming down and not descend straight down from the summit, otherwise you will get to some massive dropoffs and have to backtrack. South Arapaho Peak. Getting back to South Arapaho Peak was much quicker than the way there because we knew the route at that point. Highest Elevation: 13,397 feet. From the base of the Skywalker couloir, the summit looks squat and rounded compared to the nearby Mount Neva and surrounding peaks. Some pockets of snow but no special equipment needed (other than good shoes, socks, and poles a +). For the most part, this is a … I also would recommend waterproof shoes. Directions from Eldora: Travel west on CR #130 and northwest on CR#111 to the 4th of July/Buckingham Park Campground. The way down was much easier. Start northwest from South Arapaho … After another 1.5 miles and 1500 feet of climbing, you reach … From the base of the Skywalker couloir, the summit looks squat and rounded compared to the nearby Mount Neva and surrounding peaks. The topographic elevation of a summit measures the height of the summit above a geodetic sea level. We all struggled on the way up but agreed it was worth it for the gorgeous view. You'll know you're at the summit when you see two wind shelters at the top. Arapaho Glacier is situated 1400 feet northeast of South Arapaho Peak. Hiking alternatives include Diamond Lake Trail from Hessie, Arapaho Glacier Trail from Rainbow Lakes, and Arapaho Pass from Monarch Lake (Hot Sulfur District). South Arapaho Peak via Arapaho Glacier Trail is a 13 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. I had on a red wind shell, purple pants - was with my son. Phone: (303) 679-8500 Fax: 303-679-8505 Get Directions to Arapahoe Peak Health Center Includes some good incline and a bit of scrambling. Views of the Arapaho glacier, the Tenmile Range, Gore Range, and Indian Peaks. Arapaho National Forest Indian Peaks Wilderness. After a little huffing and puffing, you'll finally reach some respite at South Arapaho's southwestern saddle. The scrambling to the real summit was actually pretty easy. When we returned to the car around noon we were surprised to see a lot of parking available - even though it was too miserably hot to start hiking then for my taste. The first table below ranks the 55 highest major summits of Colorado by elevation. Great hike. Some basic route finding through the last section to the summit. Arapaho Pass is 1.2 miles farther west. The Arapaho Glacier Trail descends 1,300 feet down a series of switchbacks to intersect the Arapaho Pass Trail #904 at the Fourth of July Mine. The hike itself was not busy though. Once you get to the top though it’s beautiful. South Arapaho Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Also, the ranger was definitely ticketing everyone who parked outside the designated areas. We hardly had any wind whatsoever. SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/Vo2maxProductions?sub_confirmation=1 (thanks for liking and sharing! There are some orange arrows higher up on the rock to help guide you. (Fun fact: Boulder is the only city in the United States to own a glacier!) South Arapaho Peak is one of Colorado’s 637 “13ers.” Along with its sister peak North Arapaho (13,502 feet), it provides a striking backdrop to the Arapaho Glacier. A waterfall across the valley. Ascent of South Arapaho Peak on 2020-09-18 Climber: Ben Brownlee. From the saddle at 12,700', leave the Arapaho Glacier Trail and scramble the remaining 700' over class 2 boulders up the southeast slopes of South Arapaho Peak (13,400'). For the most part, this is a … The road leading up to the trailhead is best for vehicles which have a little more clearance than a sedan. Arapaho Glacier is an alpine glacier in a cirque immediately southeast of North Arapaho Peak, in Roosevelt National Forest in the U.S. state of Colorado. Alot of people on the weekend! It was a lot more scrambling than I anticipated. On the way back it was a different story. I had the summit all to myself. The first summit is the false summit, then you have to go down the saddle to the real summit. PSA: please park in consideration of others - there were so many huge gaps between parking spaces!! This first part goes fairly quickly with no real difficulties. The Indian Peaks Wilderness is home to seven peaks over 13,000 feet of elevation. Photo: Junius Henderson, Public domain. Though some of the snow/ice routes up the glacier look tempting, they are illegal, and these closures are strictly enforced. The trail had lots of water crossings and some muddy areas, including a legitimate waterfall crossing - I would recommend waterproof shoes. Arapahoe Peak Health Center. My email is [email protected] Thanks and hope you see this message somehow!! I started at 5:30am on a Thursday and saw only one other person. After a little huffing and puffing, you'll finally reach some respite at South Arapaho's southwestern saddle. Once you hit the switchbacks that’s where it gets tough. Both summits are a popular weekend hike for Front Range residents. South Arapaho Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Located about two miles up the Fourth of July Trailhead, off of the Fourth of July Mine trail, South Arapaho Peak sits 13,397 feet above sea level. No snow to worry about at this time of year and not as wet as it was a couple months ago on the way up to Lake Dorothy. Technical equipment is not required but the narrow ridge is steep and rocky. This table gives the weather forecast for South Arapaho Peak at the specific elevation of 4083 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of South Arapaho Peak. Highly recommend bringing layers as it gets super windy as you get to the top. If you're an experienced trail runner, I found the descent to be not too technical and very runable. Published 2018/10/16 by Spencer Logan - Forecaster, CAIC click on each photo to view a larger image. I thought it was well worth it for the views but wouldn't really recommend unless you're in shape... it's probably doable for anyone, but more enjoyable if you're a regular-ish hiker. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from April until October. South Arapahoe Peak via Arapahoe Glacier Trail is a 8.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Other than that guy, our group had the trail to ourselves all the way up. Got there at 6:15am on Saturday, parked about .4 miles from the trailhead but there were still a few spaces when I walked up. As a beginning hiker, I definitely found this trail to meet the 'difficult' description. South Arapaho Peak at ListsOfJohn.com Weather and Snow National Weather Service Forecast NOAA Snow Depth Map Ascent Info Total successful ascents logged by registered Peakbagger.com users: 134 Show all viewable ascents/attempts (Total: 127) Selected Trip Reports from this site: The trail was probably more moderate than difficult but we didn't do the last part from the Arapaho glacial overlook to the top of South Arapaho peak. It’s kinda lame. Most of the new U.S Forest Service quads will show the boundary in detail. The going gets tough after treeline, but if you can at least make it to the saddle you'll see some amazing peaks and alpine lakes. The 13,508-foot (4,117 m) thirteener is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, 7.8 miles (12.6 km) west-southwest (bearing 245°) of the Town of Ward, Colorado, United States, on the Continental Divide separating Roosevelt National Forest and Boulder County … So, if you're reading this, please connect with me! It was so beautiful and quiet. Flowers, Peaks, 360 views, lakes, moose, marmots, a glacier, etc. Wildflowers in full bloom. South Arapaho Peak is a relatively easy Class 1 to Class 2 ascent on trail almost all the way. Final pitch is fun - and tough! To see the weather forecasts for the other … From the summit, follow the obvious connecting ridge to North Arapaho Peak. Wildlife. Wowza, one of my favorite hikes in the state!! 10/10 views are worth it. I was pretty much using my hands for the last 30 mins to the summit, and then again coming down. Hiking info, trail maps, and 21 trip reports from South Arapaho Peak (13,403 ft) in the Front Range of Colorado South Arapaho Peak is one of Colorado’s 637 “13ers.” Along with its sister peak North Arapaho (13,502 feet), it provides a striking backdrop to the Arapaho Glacier. Located about two miles up the Fourth of July Trailhead, off of the Fourth of July Mine trail, South Arapaho Peak sits 13,397 feet above sea level. Did the hike on 8July,2020. Distance (round trip): 7 miles. We got there by 7am and had to park on the street by the trailhead. From South to North Arapaho Peak, scrambling is necessary. So a perfect day for me! Busy trailhead but overall not too many people on the trail, especially once you break off from the trail headed to the lake. Sitting high at 13,397 feet, the summit of South Arapaho Peak rises dramatically above the southern half of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Date: Friday, September 18, 2020: Ascent Type: Successful Summit Attained: Peak: South Arapaho Peak ... 13397 ft / 4083 m: Summary Total Data: Ascent Statistics: Route: Arapaho Traverse: Start Trailhead: Fourth of July : Descent Statistics: GPS Data for Ascent/Trip. Traveling north on 119, turn left at the Eldora turnoff. Saturday July 7th: Steve and I arrived at the Fourth of July trailhead at 6:30am near the town of Eldora. I can't remember exactly why, but the single biggest reason was probably its proximity to Denver. The road from Eldorado to the Fouth of July Trailhead is in pretty bad condition and a 4-wheel drive is recommended. Very windy 8/30. We made quick work of the traverse and headed up to the summit of South Arapaho Peak (the 1st time for Nick and I and the second time for Rick). Distance: 8 miles roundtrip. Highest Elevation: 13,397 feet. Come to the trailhead early to find parking. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from July until September. Arapahoe Peak Health Center. Mix of waterfalls, mountains and drop offs. I arrived on a Thursday at 9:00 am and was able to get a parking spot! Great alternative to 14ers that take longer to get to from Denver, but still offers a great view and good workout. Took ~5 hours with a lunch break, South Arapahoe Peak via Arapahoe Glacier Trail, South Caicos and East Caicos, South Caicos. parking is full by 7. there is a shuttle service from the high school every 20 or so minutes that starts at 7 on Saturdays. This article comprises three sortable tables of major mountain peaks of the U.S. State of Colorado.. The turnoff to Arapaho Glacier. Then you start the scramble and I lost the path a few times and it was the toughest part of the hike since there are a few close drop offs. From downtown Nederland, go south on Highway 72 for.5 miles to County Road 130 and make a right. The summit of a mountain or hill may be measured in three principal ways: . Arapaho National Forest Indian Peaks Wilderness. Stay left here, turning away from Arapaho Glacier Trail 's continuation, and begin the ascent of South Arapaho Peak Southeast Ridge. Didn't pass too many people on the trail which was great. Once back to South Arapaho Peak, getting down into the thicker air to your vehicle might take 2 1/2 hours or so, depending on how badly you wish to reward your orthopedic specialist. It is situated only 3.5 miles from the Fourth of July Trailhead, and there is an excellent viewpoint high above its southern slopes in a shallow pass between Caribou Peak and South Arapaho Peak. Descent from South Arapaho Peak. The hike itself was super pretty with plenty of wildflowers in bloom and amazing views and waterfalls along the way. The entire drainage below Arapaho Glacier is closed to travelers of any sort/campers, since it is owned by the City of Boulder and supplies the city's drinking water. Though somewhat difficult, this hike will prove a welcome challenge to most adventuresome children. I saw smaller cars at the trailhead too. There is a scramble to get to the summit, which isn't bad going up but a little easy to lose the trail coming down. The city of Boulder owns this watershed and much of the land surrounding it. Arapaho Glacier and South Arapaho Peak are accessed from the Fourth of July Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, Colorado. Coming from the north, turn right at the Eldora turn-off (County Road 130). This traverse is a class 3-4 scramble from South Arapaho Peak to North Arapaho Peak and offers spectacular views of Arapahoe Glacier. For the spectacular South-North Arapaho Traverse itself, plan on an hour each way under dry, summer conditions. Arapaho National Recreation Area Welcome to the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) - a 35,000 acre scenic water wonderland in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Valley. Get there early for parking. Was surprised to see the majority of people wearing masks (likely due to the recent state-wide mandate, though the mandate does not require masks to be worn outdoors). Didn't grab his name! No clear trail to the summit of this one but, it’s an easy one to tag on the way down. Elevation gain: 2,533 ft. Incredibly scenic Class 2 hike up to South Arapaho. Gorgeous views the entire way! Arapaho is also one of the state’s most easily accessible glaciers. One of my favorite front range hikes. Summited S. Arapaho Peak around 10am. Started at 6am and had the whole trail to myself up to the peak. South Arapaho Peak is a relatively easy Class 1 to Class 2 ascent on trail almost all the way. The turnoff to Arapaho Glacier. Use caution. Trail, USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District. At the Fourth of July Mine ruins (11,250'), double back to the northeast on the Arapaho Glacier Trail, which is also signed and well-beaten. South to North Arapaho Traverse. Distance: 8 miles roundtrip. I think I underestimated it, though. 2018/10/15 - Colorado - South of South Arapaho Peak, Indian Peaks. No wind. South Arapaho Peak. South Arapaho peak (13,400 feet) is the shorter of the two, but only by 100 feet, and they both are home to the largest glacier in the Front Range.North Arapaho Peak (13,500 feet) also holds claim to being the highest summit on the Continental Divide north of Denver. Good hike and accurately classified as difficult. As we got closer to Nederland we realized that was probably due to people be turned away or asked to park and take the Hessie shuttle, but I'm speculating here. You meander up the mountain for a mile and the wind can be tough, but the views are worth it. South Arapaho peak (13,400 feet) is the shorter of the two, but only by 100 feet, and they both are home to the largest glacier in the Front Range. :). I would recommend using it, especially since it is a fire hazard to park on the grass in front of residential areas (and the residents do not want us there). Peaks: South Arapaho Peak (sorted/filed as Arapaho) ; Place: Colorado Difficulty: class 5, ice axe, crampons . Awesome views and perfect weather today! Ran into a bit of snow and some mud but most of the trail was dry. That summit is the only ranked summit of the two Arapaho Peaks. Both summits are a popular weekend hike for Front Range residents.