backpacking: lone eagle peak (crater lake)

distance: 14.9 miles (out & back) | elevation: 2,693’ (8,350’ starting) | difficulty: moderate/strenuous

Colorado seriously spoils you because almost every hike you go on could become a new favorite. 

Lone Eagle Peak had been on my list for a while. Lone Eagle Peak (or Crater Lake) is located on the western side of Indian Peaks Wilderness – one of my favorite places in Colorado (hard to pick a fav!). If you’re a camper and a fan of eating freeze-dried food, you may have eaten Backpacker’s Pantry… and ya might notice a familiar view.

Now, why am I telling y’all about a backpacking trip when the mountains in Colorado are still getting snow? Because y’all need to plan ahead! This hike is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness which is permit-only camping from June 1st to September 15th. Permits go live every year on January 2nd!! 

how to get to lone eagle peak

Lone Eagle Peak is located near Granby and Google is your friend (see below) on directions to get there. If you’re lucky with traffic, Granby is a little over a two-hour drive from Denver. The general gist is 70, to 40, to 34 (till ya reach Lake Granby and you turn right).

The trailhead you are looking for is Monarch Lake Trailhead via Cascade Creek Trail.

And more important: you must pay $5 to park here! There is a self-service station right after you turn off 34! Good news, the National Parks Pass covers you if you leave it on your dash (signature side up). Also, this spot is pretty popular in the summer, sooo as every Colorado hike, get there early!

the hike to lone eagle peak

When you get to the Monarch Lake Trailhead, please check into the book – you’ll need to list your destination and if/where you plan to camp overnight. 

Okay you guys. I did this last September the FIRST WEEKEND after permits ended for the season. Absolute panic set in reading the list of people who checked in Friday for TWO nights. This means we RAN up the mountain in order to secure a spot. 

The first part of the hike is pretty easy – just a nice lil trail hugging the north side of Monarch Lake. The elevation will begin with some pretty easy switchbacks through aspen, next to Buchanan Creek. You’ll start to follow Cascade Creek and eventually come upon some waterfalls! 

There are two main intersections you will need to look out for. The first one, after ~3.5 miles, stay towards the right to stay on Cascade Trail. The second one is after the waterfall, ~6.5 miles, where you will again stay to the right to continue to Crater lake.

After the second intersection, there is an open meadow where the dirt trail stops, and instead you’re on a rock bed. It is a little tricky to figure out the trail here, but look for the cairns on the rock bed marking the way. You’ll then come back to a dirt trail and after some steep switchbacks… you’re at Mirror Lake! With Lone Eagle Peak looming in the background.

It sort of appears this is the end of the trail… but don’t make the mistake of stopping here! Continue on the right side of the lake to get to Crater Lake! 

Lone Eagle Peak/Crater Lake can be done as a long day hike, but I highly recommend camping if you’re a fan of backpacking! If backpacking just isn’t your style, check below for car camping which comes in helpful if you are making the drive from Denver. 

where to camp at lone eagle peak

As mentioned above, if you are going between June 1st and September 15th, you need a permit to camp! 

So there are 12 spots to camp near Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. They are techincallyyyyyy marked, but I will say the signs are pretty hard to see. The number markers are the exact same color as tree bark and not painted at all! Not only that, but they are not right off of the trail.

The above map gives a good general location of the sites, but it definitely is not to scale. Most of the sites are hidden off trail. As you can see, sites 1-3 are actually before you get to Mirror Lake. If you are paying superrrr close attention, there are signs on the trees pointing off in the general directions (I did not notice them at all on the way up, but searched them out on the way out). 

so which site do you go for?

Honestly, I couldn’t even find every site so idk which one is THE BEST. I will say I camped at site 10 and it was prettyyyyyy spectacular. View of the lake and mountains! But site 1 is 100% on my radar for next time. While not on either lake, it is super serene – huge and next to the creek! 

how to get a backcountry permit?

You need a permit to camp at Lone Eagle Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness backcountry between June 1st and September 15th! Permits go live on January 2nd for this time frame every year. I may be stating the obvious, but apply as early as possible!

Click on over to the Forest Service’s permits and regulations info here. It may be old school, but there is no online permit system. You have the option of mailing in the application with the $5 processing fee, or if you live close by, stopping by the ranger station. The stations for Indian Peaks Wilderness are located in Boulder and Granby. On the application, you’ll need to specify the backcountry zone, the date, number of people, etc.

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when to go

This is mountains in Colorado, so snow lasts a long time after winter and starts early in the fall. Your best bet is probably to aim for mid July through September. If you choose to go before the permit season, be prepared for snow and cold nights! If you’re going to go really soon after September 15th and plan to camp, I HIGHLY recommend going during the week if you can. There will be rangers walking around, and they will give you a ticket if you aren’t camping within 30’ of one of the 12 campsites!

When applying for permits, remember there are only 12 sites! And everyone wants long weekend spots. Soooo, apply early!

what to bring

I have a handy packing list for ya! A couple of things to note – no campfires and a bear canister is needed. Also, pack a hammock 🙂

what if I don’t want to backpack?

If you still like camping, but without carrying all your gear, there is a great place to camp a few minutes from the trailhead! Arapaho Bay campground is right down the road and offers 84 drive in spots. You do need to pay for these spots ($23, but there is a discount with a National Parks Pass!). I stayed here the night before backpacking and it allowed us to get a super early start the next day (not only to grab a spot, but allowed tons of time to chill lakeside in a hammock).

See below for resources on free camping in the area!

Not a fan of camping in general and coming from a few hours away? Check out AirBnBs or hotels in Grand Lake or Frasier. 

free camping resources:

• https://freecampsites.net/
• https://www.campendium.com/free-camping
• http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/full-map
• iOverlander App

directions:

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Lone Eagle Peak, coming in at less than 12,000 in a state full of tons of 14ers, may not be the tallest mountain, but a good chance it may just be the most picturesque. So picturesque, I may or may not be planning to go back to back years.