20 Attractions to Explore Near Apache Peak

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.

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.

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.

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.

South Arapaho Peak is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It also holds claim to being the highest summit on the Continental Divide north of Denver. The easier of the two climbs is certainly South Arapaho Peak, which has the added bonus of getting better views of the glacier and North Arapaho Peak. There are several ways to summit South Arapaho Peak, but the longest route and arguably the most scenic is the Arapaho Glacier.

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.

Arapaho Pass is 11,906 feet above sea level, but a manageable 1,800 feet above the trailhead. Meander to the north side of the ridge to look down on Caribou Lake. Due west is Lake Dorothy. Keep an eye out for backcountry skiers taking runs off Mount Neva. Follow the same route back to the trailhead. It is also one of the iconic location which offers beautiful views of this area.

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.

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.

Buchanan Pass is a mountain pass located in the Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado in the United States. The pass is toward the northern end of the Indian Peaks of the Front Range on the Grand-Boulder county line, between the Buchanan Creek drainage to the west and the Middle St. The pass is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and is the easternmost mountain pass on the continental divide.

Arapaho Glacier Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Nederland, Colorado. It leads northward from the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead and enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Climbing through the woods for about two miles, the trail exits onto the open tundra with a fine view into the City of Boulder Watershed.

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.

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.

Devils Thumb Lake is located in Indian Peaks Wilderness north of Boulder Colorado.This slender 11-acre lake is hemmed by the north valley wall and bound by krummholz near the outlet, but opens along the south and west shores to big, level meadows under the Continental Divide. It was surrounded by Wildflowers, alpine meadows, small waterfalls, and cascades all beckon those who have the stamina to explore these heights in the Front Range near Denver.

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.

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.

The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives through Colorado. it begins as state highway 7 in Estes Park, brings you past the tiny town of Allenspark on state highway 72, then heads to Nederland. This scenic drive is beautiful year-round, but it’s especially popular in the fall, when the mountains burst into life with the shimmering golden leaves of the changing aspen trees.

Lost Lake is an accessible 4-mile round-trip hike to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by the mountains of Indian Peaks. The trail up to lost lake takes you along the course of Middle Boulder Creek, a slide waterfall, a set of tumbling cascades, and a variety of wildflowers that decorate the borders of the trail, the creeksides, and the small meadows that open up along the trail.

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.