Arapaho Glacier Trail (August 2010)

Sun August 22, 2010

This trail starts from the Rainbow Lakes campground, crosses into the Indian Peaks Wilderness and quickly climbs above treeline. The trail goes along the border of a restricted area where part of Boulder's water supply comes from.

Looking Up the Valley at the Divide

The trail continues to climb until about 12,600 feet where it levels out. After about a mile and a half of going along this ridge, I came around a corner and saw South Arapaho Peak.

South Arapaho Peak

I had seen it from a distance, now it was right there. When I saw it that close I knew had to climb it, again. Even before getting on top of the peak, the views were great. Mt. Neva, just to the south, is a fun mountain to climb.

Mt. Neva and Lake Dorothy

About half an hour later and 700 feet higher I was on the peak. While I was taking a lunch break a marmot came up to where I was.

A Marmot Begging for Food

I was also able to look down on Arapaho Glacier.

Arapaho Glacier

On the way back down, there were a couple of ptarmigans on the trail. They are masters of camouflage in both summer and winter in the alpine tundra.

Ptarmigans on the Trail

The hike was almost 13 miles long and took 6 1/2 hours to complete. Most of the hike was above treeline. South Arapaho Peak has an elevation of 13,397 feet. There is another route up to the peak which is shorter, but it does not stay above treeline as long. I've done both. Which one will you choose?