National Park Service Rocky Mountain U.S. Department of the Interior Rocky Mountain National Park

Wild Basin Area Summer Trail Guide

Welcome to Wild Basin. Rich in wildlife and scenery, this deep valley has flowing rivers, roaring waterfalls, and sparkling lakes rimmed by remote, jagged peaks.

Tips for a Narrow Road, Limited Parking Watch the Weather: It Changes Quickly! Great Hike Wild Basin Road is gravel and often narrows to Thunderstorms are common in summer and one lane. It isn’t suitable for large vehicles like are dangerous. Plan your day to be below RVs. Park only in designated areas. Don’t park treeline by early afternoon. If you see building in wide spots in the road, which let oncoming storm clouds, head back to the trailhead. If cars pass each other. Violators may be ticketed caught in a lightning storm, get below treeline. or towed. Always carry storm gear, even if the sky is clear You Must Properly Store Food Items at when you start your hike. Trailheads and Wilderness Campsites Improperly stored food items attract wildlife, It might be summer, but expect snow, gusty including black bears, which can visit any time winds, and cold temperatures at any time. of day. Food items are food, drinks, toiletries, Carry layers of windproof clothing. If the cosmetics, pet food and bowls, and odiferous weather turns, you’ll be glad to have them. attractants. Garbage, including empty cans and food wrappers, must be stored or put in Bring the Right Gear trash or recycling bins. 33Bring waterproof outer layers and extra lay- ers for warmth. Day Use Visitors 33Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. • You must store all food items and garbage Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, inside vehicle trunks. even on cloudy days. • In vehicles without trunks, put items as low 33Pack extra water and snacks. Don’t drink in the vehicle as possible and covered from from streams or lakes without treating the sight, with windows and doors closed and water. locked. 33Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know Overnight Visitors how to use them. • You must store all food items in food storage 33Wear sturdy footwear with good ankle sup- lockers. Leaving food items or garbage in a port and a treaded sole. vehicle is not allowed. 33Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have no service. There are food storage lockers at Wild Basin, Finch Lake, and Sandbeach Lake trailheads. Stay Safe and Practice Good Etiquette Pay Attention to Altitude • Pets are prohibited on all Rocky High elevations can cause altitude sickness Mountain National Park trails, tundra, and may aggravate existing health conditions. and meadows areas. To learn more, visit Use caution. Take time to acclimatize to the go.nps.gov/RockyPets. park’s high altitude before attempting strenu- • Stay together! Keep everyone, including ous hikes. Rest, drink lots of fluids, eat salty children, with the group. snacks, and start with easy hikes. • Stay on the trail. Shortcutting causes erosion. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation can be intense at altitude. Protect yourself by • Strollers aren’t permitted on any trails in the wearing a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, Wild Basin area. and sunscreen.

For More Park Information...... (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo Information Trail Ridge Road Status...... (970) 586-1222 Emergencies ...... 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado WB-S 5-2017 To Mount Meeker Estes Park 111 Rocky is very busy in summer and on fall weekends. 20 Expect congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails. Wild Basin Area Trails Tour and hike early and late in the day. Parking areas often ll by mid- Keplinger Lake morning. Consider carpooling to the trailhead. 7 Snowbank Lake

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Horsetooth Peak 0 05 1 10 Pilot Lion Lake R 15 Mountain No. 1 i 0 05 1 d ers g Hunt Fan e Falcon Falls Thunder Lake Falls Lookout Mountain 10715 2 Mount Orton 1172 Boulder-Grand W Lyric Falls Pass Lake of 57 Many Winds Sandeach ake C I r Trailhead W B .mi ee k .mi Tanima Peak .km L S 1220 Thunder .km 7 Copeland Lake D Sandbeach Lake Lake .mi .km

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Ouzel Peak 1271 DESTINATION DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN DESTINATION DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN 7 Copeland Mountain Junco 117 mi km ft m mi km ft m Lake 01 Finch .mi Lake From Wild Basin Trailhead From Finch ake Trailhead .km Pear Copeland Falls 0.3 0.5 15 5 Finch Lake 4.5 7.2 1442 440 Lake Calypso Cascades 1.8 2.9 700 213 Pear Lake 6.5 10.5 2112 644 Ouzel Falls 2.7 4.3 950 290 Cony Lake ek re Ouzel Lake 4.9 7.9 1510 460 From Sandeach ake Trailhead C Hutcheson Ogalalla Peak Thunder Lake 6.6 10.6 2074 632 Sandbeach Lake 4.2 6.8 1971 601 11 ony La C 00 Elk Tooth ke Lion Lake No. 1 7.0 11.3 2565 782 12 s 1 Bluebird Lake 6.3 10.1 2478 755 All distances are one way from nearest trailhead. Finch Lake 5.3 8.5 1412 430