ACCESS #1: Hike 4 miles up the Baker Gulch Trail to the Parika Lake Trail junction. Follow the Parika Lake Trail 1.1 miles to just above timberline where the Baker Pass Trail is designated by a sign.ACCESS #2: Hike the Baker Gulch Trail to Baker Pass. The Baker Pass Trail is to the left, or southwest of Baker Pass on an old road. ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The Baker Trail provides an alternative route to Baker Pass, via Parika Lake. It is a scenic and easy trail that generally follows timberline without much gain or loss in elevation. Because of the steep slopes on either side of the trail there are no good camping spots. The Baker Trail can also be reached from Baker Pass via the Baker Gulch Trail and used as an access to Parika Lake from a northerly direction. Patches of snow will generally remain on the trail until early or mid-July. NARRATIVE: The Baker Trail takes off through marshy meadows from the Parika Lake Trail and travels along timberline for a fairly easy 2 miles. Rock cairns lead the way through through this area. At the pass, Baker Gulch is located to the south, and the South Fork Michigan River Trail leads to the north into The Parks Ranger District on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.
Directions from Granby: Follow Highway 40 west to Highway 34. Go north on Hwy 34 to Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. From the park entrance, follow Trail Ridge Road for 6.4 miles to the Bowen/Baker Trailhead parking area. Follow the Baker Gulch Trail to one of two access points.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
Summer through Fall
(NOTE: Accessibility depends on snow depth and weather.)
.
|
Add your own trip Report!
