Caribou Lake - 9.3 Miles Round-Trip

Caribou Lake (11,167') is located 4.65 miles from Fourth of July Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It occupies a large, secluded basin 750' below the west side of Arapaho Pass.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This challenging hike follows North Fork of Middle Boulder Creek to the Continental Divide, and continues steeply down shifting switchbacks to Caribou Lake. The attractive basin is braided with streams and dotted with ponds and tree-topped knolls.

Much of the trail runs above treeline, and the return hike requires a strenuous climb back over the Divide. Plan travel time accordingly, and get an early start to avoid afternoon storms:

The trail rises steadily past the Indian Peaks Wilderness Backcountry board (.4 miles : 10,385') to a series of pitched switchbacks (.55 miles : 10,461').

In .8 miles (10,595') the trail levels across steep, open slopes with views of Mount Neva (12,814') and its distinguished east ridge. Flowers are particularly abundant and varied on this stretch.

The trail narrows across the midsection of a steep waterfall (1 mile : 10,650') to the Diamond Lake - Arapaho Pass Trail split (1.15 miles : 10,752').

The Arapaho Pass Trail continues west on a methodical climb up the north valley wall. The valley below is noteworthy, highlighted by a network of glacier-fed streams and ponds.

The trail moderates through a broad krummholz flat (1.65 miles : 11,110') to the Arapaho Glacier Trail split (2.05 miles : 11,236'), and continues past the historic Fourth of July Mine into open tundra. The trail is well-defined but markedly rugged once above treeline.

In 3 miles the ramp-like trail curls toward the valley-center and Caribou Pass - Arapaho Pass Trail split on a saddle atop the Continental Divide (3.15 miles : 11,906').

Bear right on the Arapaho Pass Trail, which turns north up the saddle with great views down the west side of the Divide, and the steep, winding course you'll take to Caribou Lake.

The trails crests at 3.4 miles (11,953') and turns sharply down narrowly-cut switchbacks to the rolling basin floor (4.15 miles : 11,342'). Once down it moderates on a fairly direct line to the lake. Though you may no longer see the lake, its location is fairly intuitive.

The trail forks at an unmarked split (4.45 miles) and veers left to Caribou Lake (4.65 miles : 11,267'). Caribou's shore is open and easy to explore. Honor re-vegetation efforts and avoid travel in these marked areas. Social trails lead west to a large tarn above Caribou Lake in the valley's SW corner.