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Rocky Mountain National Park: Sandbeach Lake Loop
Follow this 9.9-mile loop through vibrant wildflower displays and past snow-fed streams to a huge alpine lake with unbeatable campsite views of Mount Meeker.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 9.93 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Allens Park |
| Rating: |
 2 rating(s)
|
TO TRAILHEAD: From Lyons, drive 20.8 mi. on CO 7 N. Turn L onto CR 84 W. In .3 mi., turn R into Wild Basin entrance. Trailhead is on R.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
SBL01
| Distance: 9.93 mi | Points: 926 |
Sandbeach Lake Loop
Points of Interest
Shores of Sandbeach Lake
Location: 40.218914, -105.601143Caitlin and Andrew hike the E edge of Sandbeach Lake. © Kris Wagner
Meeker Skyline
Location: 40.219006, -105.601227Mount Meeker looms over Sandbeach Lake. It's a good, long hike from here to the peak. © Kris Wagner
Discovering a lost trail
Location: 40.215599, -105.601585Caitlin marks a waypoint along the off-trail section of this loop. In some areas, there's a faint user path and overall this route is easy to navigate. © Kris Wagner
Upper Copeland Falls
Location: 40.203953, -105.572922Upper Copeland Falls shoots out a large rooster tail of swift water. © Kris Wagner
Navigating the boulder field
Location: 40.207088, -105.585197Stay far L of the creek to avoid a steep gorge, and cross over this large marbleyard of boulders. © Kris Wagner
SBL001
Location: 40.219849, -105.534515Trail climbs from N side of lot into evergreen forest; straight @ 4-way to Copeland Lake
SBL002
Location: 40.219917, -105.547737Ascend along sidehill to overlook with view of Copeland Lake and the liquid braids of North St. Vrain Creek
SBL003
Location: 40.217133, -105.553268Veer L @ Y
SBL004
Location: 40.216366, -105.561363Pass a handful of designated campsites along Campers Creek
SBL005
Location: 40.218918, -105.587547Trout run the swift current of Hunters Creek; cross bridge; continue ascent. Optional spur: Follow faint trail .7 mile upstream to Lyric Falls.
SBL006
Location: 40.219345, -105.601601Sandy beach with 5-star campsites (permit required); Add a day: Climb SW ridge to Mt. Meeker, the park?s 2nd highest peak; return to camp
SBL007
Location: 40.216301, -105.601852Leave Sandbeach Lake; Begin moderate bushwhack from the headwaters of Sandbeach Creek
SBL008
Location: 40.211517, -105.602402Creek drops into a marshy field; swing L around teardrop pond; pick up creek again
SBL009
Location: 40.206299, -105.584953Sharp descent; scramble over boulder field covered in chartreuse lichen; pink cliffs peek out of woods ahead
SBL010
Location: 40.203068, -105.581902Wildflowers bloom in sunny spot; cross the old trail rut for Thunder Lake Trail
SBL011
Location: 40.201584, -105.581802End bushwhack; L onto Wild Basin Trail
SBL012
Location: 40.203617, -105.573387Swing onto frontage trail to Upper and Lower Copeland Falls
SBL013
Location: 40.207516, -105.566681Pass Wild Basin parking lot; trail parallels forest road and North St. Vrain Creek
SBL014
Location: 40.218449, -105.535316Turn L @ main road; follow .2 mile back to trailhead
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