High Lonesome Trail #7

High Lonesome Trail #7 is part of the Continental Divide Scenic Trail, with a length of about 8 miles. Parking for access to the trailhead is available in the Arapaho National Recreation Area's Meadow Creek Reservoir campground. If an overnight stay is on your agenda, you'll need to purchase a $5 permit from June 1 to September 15. This time frame corresponds to the recommended window for hikes here - snow comes early and stays late. Snow fields may slow you down even in summer, and be sure to stay aware of oncoming storms in summer as well. Thunder, lightning and hail are common.

The High Lonesome Trail is lightly used, and the areas it passes through teem with wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, moose, elk, marmots and ptarmigans. Your pooch will have a great time sniffing the air and listening for the sounds of the animals that live here. As you pass across mountain tundra and lush meadows, wildflowers will catch your eye, including furtastic alpine lilies and columbine. Part of the trail moves through the Indian Peaks Wilderness and it features both rocky, rooty, very steep climbs with some scrambling among the scree at the ridges. After about 3 miles, it levels off and takes you through idyllic meadows with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks of the Continental Divide, along with Corona Lake, James Peak and the town of Winter Park. 

While the High Lonesome Trail is an out-and-back path, it can become part of a long loop in combination with the King Lake and Devil's Thumb Lake Trails. Many runners use this loop, and you may see some mountain cyclists as well. Sharing the narrow, single-track trail may be challenging, but avoiding injury to you or your fur-buddy is critical, so if you see or hear, them, move to the side and keep a firm grip on Fido's leash. Remember to bring any supplies you may need, such as water and clean up bags.

While this isn't a walk in the park, the High Lonesome Trail #7 will treat you and your fur-baby to a robust workout, beautiful vistas near and far, and the chance to view the wildlife that roam here.