20 Attractions to Explore Near Buchanan Pass

Mount Audubon is a high mountain summit of the Indian Peaks in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,229-foot thirteener is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness of Roosevelt National Forest, 5.6 miles west-northwest of the Town of Ward in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The mountain was named in honor of John James Audubon.

St Vrain Mountain straddles the border between the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park. It stands just east of the Continental Divide with beautiful wide views across the Middle St Vrain Creek drainage and Wild Basin Area of RMNP. The Wild Basin area in RMNP to the north is home to some of the parks most famous peaks, including Chief's Head, Pagoda, Meeker and the best known, Long's.

Mitchell Lake is a beautiful lake located .9 miles from Mitchell Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It occupies a broad, damp flat on Mt Audubon's south flank. Mild trail conditions are well-suited for families, winter recreation and those with limited time or abilities. It offers good views of surrounding peaks, abundant wildflowers, excellent fishing, and numerous outlying ponds to explore.

A high mountain pass that crosses the Continental Divide in the Indian Peaks of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in the United States. It goes up the valley through wooded terrain and makes a short climb to Lake Isabelle. The Cascade Creek Trail continues west from Pawnee Pass. It is an iconic location where you can spend some beautiful time and it is also most photographed location.

Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.Once at Isabelle the hike around the lake includes a bit of bouldering and goat-skills, but the experience is just as wonderful from the initial entry.

Lone Eagle Peak lies in the rugged Indian Peaks Wilderness, roughly south of Rocky Mountain National Park. To the enthusiastic adventure climber, it’s a veritable playground encapsulated in stone and surrounded by pristine, rugged beauty.The approach out to the peak via the Monarch Lake trailhead, located just outside of Granby, CO, in itself can prove to be a splendid outing.

Isabelle Glacier is an alpine glacier located .25 mi southwest of Shoshoni Peak. This trail is best attempted July through September. Snow-packed conditions can exist during the remaining months of the year.The short hike to Lake Isabelle is one of the area's most popular, however crowds thin on the rugged trek up-valley to its glacial origin.

Brainard Lake is surrounded by subalpine forest set in a glacially-carved valley. The peaks of the Continental Divide loom to the west. Its Recreation Area is uniquely set in a glacially carved valley offering visitors spectacular panoramic views of Brainard Lake, surrounding subalpine forest, and high peaks along the Continental Divide.

Calypso Cascades is an easy 3.6 mile hike to one of several waterfall destinations in the Wild Basin of Rocky Mountain National Park. it is one of the iconic attraction here and is very beautiful to see.

Wild Basin is part of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is one of the iconic trekking destination and it has an old ranger station.

Apache Peak, is the highest peak in the Whetstone Mountains. The summit, located in the Coronado National Forest, is a popular local hiking destination. It is located near the Kartchner Caverns State Park, the city of Benson, Interstate 10, and Arizona State Route 90. Trails include the east side French Joe Canyon route and the west side Empire Ranch route.

The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is the most popular destination on the Boulder Ranger District. Because of the area's high elevation, the best time to visit is after the snow melts in July and August.

Monarch Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in Colorado with hiking trails, mountain views and camping nearby. Located at 8,400 feet above sea level, it is one of Colorado’s five “Great Lakes” within the Arapaho National Recreation Area. Surrounded by rushing creeks, mountain views, seasonal wildflowers, and wildlife viewing opportunities, the lake is accessible at the ​​Monarch Lake Trailhead, which is located just upstream from Lake Granby.

The Monarch Lake Trailhead is located in the Arapaho National Recreation Area amd serves as a major access portal for the Indian Peaks Wilderness.Monarch Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and access to the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. Explore the full Monarch Lake Loop hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and many of the details you need to enjoy this adventure in Grand County, Colorado.

Boulder-Grand Pass is located 7.25 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. It spans a broad saddle along the Continental Divide between Tanima Peak and Pilot Mountain. Boulder-Grand takes you to 12000’, within reach of two summits to the north, Mount Alice and Pilot Mountain, and three to the south, Tanima Peak, The Cleaver and Isolation Peak.

Sandbeach Lake is a good destination for day hikes or backpacking. There are 4 campsites and a group campsite at the lake. The lake got its name from its sandy shore that resembles that of a beach–making it one of best camping spots in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and horseback riding, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. It is around 17.7-km out. It is generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 49 min to complete.

North Arapaho Peak is the highest mountain in the IPW and highest mountain on the Continental Divide north of Denver. The 13,508-foot thirteener is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, 7.8 miles west-southwest of the Town of Ward, Colorado, United States, on the Continental Divide separating Roosevelt National Forest and Boulder County from Arapaho National Forest and Grand County. This impressive collection of jagged peaks includes 35 named peaks.

Mount Alice is a high mountain summit in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is not climbed as often as many of the other mountains in Colorado. It is a challenging mountain to climb, simply because of the long approach. Most climbers ascent via Hourglass Ridge above Lion lakes or else via Boulder Grand Pass above Thunder Lake.