Joe and Frede's Comanche Peak Wilderness Page

We will be presenting the highlights of the Comanche Peak Wilderness on Monday, November 6 for the Loveland Mountain Club, held at Trinity Lutheran Church

Winner of the 2011 Gold Award
for Best Travel/Guide Book!
           Check out the new topographic map            Our other Colorado Hikes
Comanche Peak Wilderness Area:
A Hiking and Snowshoeing Guide

published by CMC Press
           Print-Quality Resolution Version
           Trails and Hikes in the book
Other Hikes not in the book
Extra large topo maps
GPSVisualizer Map
Comanche Peak Wilderness areas we have hiked


Trails and Hikes in the book
Trail/Hike Name Trail/Hike Stats Description Photo Album Map (Key) Profile
Beaver Creek Trail Roundtrip: 14.4 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,306'
High elevation: 11,128'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
This trail follows its namesake, gently burbling Beaver Creek, for much of its length and eventually tops out near an alpine ridge, where panoramic views and delicate flowers abound.
Big South Trail Roundtrip: 21.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,524'
High elevation: 9,704'
Rating: moderate
TH open year round
This trail follows along a wild upper stretch of the Cache la Poudre River for its entire 10+ mile length, providing great hiking, fishing and backcountry camping.
Brackenbury Cabin Trail Roundtrip: 10.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,323'
High elevation: 11,631'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
This trail is a good one if you love alpine wildflowers, as it climbs over a broad alpine pass in its short length. Along the way, you get broad sweeping views in nearly every direction.
Browns Lake Trail
and Crown Point Hike
Roundtrip: 11.8 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,168'
High elevation: 11,400'
Rating: difficult
TH open mid-June - late October
The trailhead lies only 600 feet below timberline, so this trail provides quick access to the alpine tundra and its multitude of wildflowers. Beautiful Browns and Timberline Lakes are also highlights of this trail.
Bulwark Ridge Trail
(and South Signal Mountain)
Roundtrip: 10.8 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,511'
High elevation: 11,042'
Rating: difficult
TH open year round
This all-season trail ascends Bulwark Ridge through nearly continuous forest and a few small meadows. The long hike is well worth the effort though, as it provides access to Signal and South Signal Mountains.
Comanche Lake Trail Roundtrip: 9.2 miles
Total elev. chg.: 1,847'
High elevation: 9,984'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
This short trail branches off of the Beaver Creek Trail and winds its way through dark subalpine evergreen forest to quaint Comanche Lake, a great place for those hikers and fishermen seeking solitude.
Comanche Peak Hike via the Old Morril Trail Roundtrip: 12.8 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,956'
High elevation: 12,709'
Rating: difficult
TH open mid-June - late October
This hike takes you from the Emmaline Lake Trail, through evergreen forest and on up through the krummholz zone, eventually topping out at the sentinel of the wilderness area, Comanche Peak. Awesome views await you at the top!
Corral Creek Trail
(and hike to Mirror Lake in RMNP)
Roundtrip: 2.6 miles
Total elev. chg.: 363'
High elevation: 10,038'
Rating: easy
TH open early July - late October
This short trail follows Corral Creek, passing through forest and meadows along the way. It’s also a great jumping off point for those seeking to explore the remote northwestern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Emmaline Lake Trail Roundtrip: 11.8 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,178'
High elevation: 11,015'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
This trail starts by passing through the charred remains of the 1994 Hourglass Fire, then enters into dense cool forest where it remains until you reach beautiful swampy Cirque Meadow. Finally it tops out at timberline at picturesque Cirque and Emmaline Lakes.
Fish Creek Trail Roundtrip: 12.8 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,060'
High elevation: 9,186'
Rating: easy
TH open year round
This follows its namesake for almost half its length, passing through forest and small meadows. It also climbs over a forested ridge that allows glimpses of the alpine peaks of the Mummy Range to the north.
Flowers Trail
and Crown Point B17 Crash Hike
Roundtrip: 30.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 6,283'
High elevation: 11,318'
Rating: difficult
TH open early June - late October
This old pioneer road is by far the longest trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness and is for those who want to see it all: dense quiet forests, gently burbling streams, sweeping panoramic views, sheltered mountain lakes, small grassy meadows, and delicate alpine flowers.
Hourglass Trail Roundtrip: 14.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,930'
High elevation: 11,963'
Rating: difficult
TH open mid-June - late October
This trail starts at Comanche Reservoir, follows along a splashing creek for a ways, and then climbs through the forest onto the alpine tundra. The views from on top are wonderful.
Little Beaver Creek Trail Roundtrip: 14.2 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,211'
High elevation: 9,797'
Rating: easy
TH open early June - late October
This is a pleasant trail that follows along gently cascading Little Beaver Creek for much of its length. Most of the trail resides in cool, shady forest, although there are also a few meadows, including the beautiful Beaver Meadow.
Mirror Lake Trail Roundtrip: 17.2 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,417'
High elevation: 12,017'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
This remote trail allows one to have a variety of alpine views, which you will likely have all to yourself. The two greatest highlights of this trail are the sod cabin, and the magnificent Mirror Lake overlook.
Mummy Pass Trail Roundtrip: 14.4 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,113'
High elevation: 11,461'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
Following a forested ridgeline, this trail climbs above timberline and tops out on a narrow alpine plateau, eventually dropping down to Mummy Pass. A profusion of alpine wildflowers line the trail in the summer.
North Boundary Trail
and West Creek & Fox Creek Falls
Roundtrip: 12.2 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,885'
High elevation: 9,710'
Rating: difficult
TH open year round
This is the only trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness that provides access to waterfalls: West Creek Falls and Fox Creek Falls. The most appealing aspects of the trail itself are its rugged beauty and peaceful solitude.
North Fork Trail Roundtrip: 10.6 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,108'
High elevation: 9,278
Rating: moderate
TH open year-round
This is a great trail in any season if you like pleasant hikes in the forest, by streams and through small meadows, as it follows the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, providing lush habitat for wildlife and good fishing opportunities.
Signal Mountain Trail Roundtrip: 12.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 3,104'
High elevation: 11,200'
Rating: difficult
TH open year round
The lower portion of this trail follows the pleasant banks of Pennock Creek through shady forest at the bottom of a deep valley, while the upper portion tops out on the alpine tundra on the flank of Signal Mountain.
Sleeping Elephant Mountain Hike Roundtrip: 2.2 miles
Total elev. chg.: 1,312'
High elevation: 9,145'
Rating: difficult
best done in fall
This short, but very steep off trail hike takes you to the top of the most-recognized peak in the wilderness area.
Stormy Peaks Trail Roundtrip: 10.4 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,703'
High elevation: 11,667'
Rating: difficult
TH open year round
This four-season trail allows you to have a wide range of hikes, depending on what you feel like doing. The actual trail itself passes through mostly evergreen forest, and eventually climbs above timberline, topping out at Stormy Peaks Pass.
Stormy Peaks/Pingree Park B17 Crash Hike Roundtrip: 12.0 miles
Total elev. chg.: 1,299'
High elevation: 10,195'
Rating: moderate
TH open year round
This hike takes you to the site of a B17 bomber crash, which occurred during the Second World War. There are also nice views along the way.
Zimmerman Trail Roundtrip: 12.6 miles
Total elev. chg.: 2,294'
High elevation: 11,164'
Rating: moderate
TH open mid-June - late October
The southern section of this trail provides quick access to the open expanses of the alpine tundra, while the northern section winds through shady forest before reaching the most beautiful meadow of any trail in this guide.


Other Hikes not in the book
Hike to Grass Lake via the Big South Trail
June 20, 2015
Big Bend Bump and Ranked Peak 10980 Hike
October 4, 2014
Long Draw 10ers Hike
September 24, 2014
East Stormy Peak Trail
August 30, 2013 and July 8, 2014
Big South 10ers Hike
December 28, 2013
Big South 9ers Hike
December 8, 2013
Upper Dadd Gulch Trail
August 14, 2011
Hike to the Hidden Lakes in the Northwest Corner of the Comanche Peak Wilderness
September 12, 2010
Fox Creek and West Creek Cutoff Trails
July 17, 2010
West Creek Trail
January 30 and July 17, 2010
Hike to ranked peak 9740'
September 26, 2009
Hike to ranked peak 11,859'
August 29, 2009
Hike to ranked peak 9980'
March 8, 2008
Q: What is a "ranked" peak?

Topo map of entire Comanche Peak Wilderness Area north of RMNP Topo map of SE section of Comanche Peak Wilderness Area


GPS Visualizer Map showing all trails and points of interest
View in full-size mode for full functionality

View Larger Map

Areas of the Comanche Peak Wilderness We Have Hiked
Clickable map of Comanche Peak Wilderness area Trails and Hikes
1 km UTM grid squares we have hiked
We also have a Google KML version of the grid
Bar chart showing percentage hiked by elevation
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