Rocky Mountain National Park: Sandbeach Lake Loop

SBL01

Dist: 9.93 mi	Points: 926	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Discovering a lost trail

Location: 40.215599°, -105.601585°
Caitlin 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

Meeker Skyline

Location: 40.219006°, -105.601227°
Mount Meeker looms over Sandbeach Lake. It's a good, long hike from here to the peak. © Kris Wagner

Navigating the boulder field

Location: 40.207088°, -105.585197°
Stay far L of the creek to avoid a steep gorge, and cross over this large marbleyard of boulders. © Kris Wagner

SBL001

Location: 40.219849°, -105.534515°
Trail climbs from N side of lot into evergreen forest; straight @ 4-way to Copeland Lake

SBL002

Location: 40.219917°, -105.547737°
Ascend along sidehill to overlook with view of Copeland Lake and the liquid braids of North St. Vrain Creek

SBL003

Location: 40.217133°, -105.553268°
Veer L @ Y

SBL004

Location: 40.216366°, -105.561363°
Pass a handful of designated campsites along Campers Creek

SBL005

Location: 40.218918°, -105.587547°
Trout 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°, -105.601601°
Sandy 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°, -105.601852°
Leave Sandbeach Lake; Begin moderate bushwhack from the headwaters of Sandbeach Creek

SBL008

Location: 40.211517°, -105.602402°
Creek drops into a marshy field; swing L around teardrop pond; pick up creek again

SBL009

Location: 40.206299°, -105.584953°
Sharp descent; scramble over boulder field covered in chartreuse lichen; pink cliffs peek out of woods ahead

SBL010

Location: 40.203068°, -105.581902°
Wildflowers bloom in sunny spot; cross the old trail rut for Thunder Lake Trail

SBL011

Location: 40.201584°, -105.581802°
End bushwhack; L onto Wild Basin Trail

SBL012

Location: 40.203617°, -105.573387°
Swing onto frontage trail to Upper and Lower Copeland Falls

SBL013

Location: 40.207516°, -105.566681°
Pass Wild Basin parking lot; trail parallels forest road and North St. Vrain Creek

SBL014

Location: 40.218449°, -105.535316°
Turn L @ main road; follow .2 mile back to trailhead

Shores of Sandbeach Lake

Location: 40.218914°, -105.601143°
Caitlin and Andrew hike the E edge of Sandbeach Lake. © Kris Wagner

Upper Copeland Falls

Location: 40.203953°, -105.572922°
Upper Copeland Falls shoots out a large rooster tail of swift water. © Kris Wagner