Park
Pawnee Pass Trailhead
1 local recommends,
Tips from locals
Nathan
October 31, 2021
Estes gets ridiculously busy, but south of town lies the Roosevelt National Forest, which is every bit as gorgeous but way less crowded than Rocky Mountain National Park. The Long Lake Trailhead is the staging ground for one of my favorite hikes, Pawnee Pass, which passes lakes and streams and ends up high above treeline on the Continental Divide with views to the east and west of the Rockies. There’s nothing particularly unique about this hike — no weird rock formations, no crazy peaks rising dramatically from some lake — but it’s just breathtakingly gorgeous the entire way. Moose encounters are not uncommon. Note that the trailhead is a 45 minute drive from Estes Park, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness which borders Rocky Mountain National Park. It begins in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (there’s a $12 fee, and it’s cash only). Also, dogs are welcome.
Estes gets ridiculously busy, but south of town lies the Roosevelt National Forest, which is every bit as gorgeous but way less crowded than Rocky Mountain National Park. The Long Lake Trailhead is the staging ground for one of my favorite hikes, Pawnee Pass, which passes lakes and streams and ends…
Pawnee Pass Trailhead by Airbnb Experiences
Get to know this iconic landmark through Airbnb Experiences, small group activities led by locals
Location
Ward, CO