Arapaho Pass (11,950′), Front Range
From the east, access to Arapaho Pass can be found along a rough 2WD road that provides access to the Fouth of July Trailhead. The trail begins in dense forest with wonderful fields of wildflowers blooming in the summer months. For part of the hike to the top of the pass, the trail follows an old stage-coach road. It also passes the remains of the Fourth of July Mine near treeline. Miners dug silver ore from the Fourth of July Mine in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s they switched over to searching for copper. Over the 300-foot mine shaft once stood a timber head frame, where miners and equipment were lowered into the main tunnel, which was over a mile long. At the top, Arapaho Pass sits on the famous Continental Divide that runs through the Colorado mountains.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Fourth of July Trailhead
- Round trip: 6.8 miles (10.9 km)
- Elevation: 10,100′- 11,950′ (3,078 m – 3,642 m)
- County: Boulder
- Wilderness: Indian Peaks
Trail Pictures
Early morning on the 4th of July trail.
Early morning on the 4th of July trail.
The trail is ovious all the way to the top of the pass
The trail is ovious all the way to the top of the pass
Wildflowers still in bloom in mid August
Wildflowers still in bloom in mid August
Crossing a waterfall along the trail.
Crossing a waterfall along the trail.
View from the Aprapaho Pass trail
View from the Aprapaho Pass trail
Southwest view from the trail.
Southwest view from the trail.
View back to the 4th of July trailhead.
View back to the 4th of July trailhead.
View back into the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage from the top of the pass.
View back into the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage from the top of the pass.
View of Mt Neva from the top of the pass.
View of Mt Neva from the top of the pass.
Satanta Peak with Caribou Lake on the west side of the Continental Divide.
Satanta Peak with Caribou Lake on the west side of the Continental Divide.
A windbreak at the top of Arapaho Pass.
A windbreak at the top of Arapaho Pass.
The trail going up a small ridgeline extending from South Arapaho Peak before coming to a deadend.
The trail going up a small ridgeline extending from South Arapaho Peak before coming to a deadend.
View of the valley near the top of the pass.
View of the valley near the top of the pass.
Remnants of the Fouth of July mine as seen from the trail.
Remnants of the Fouth of July mine as seen from the trail.
A level section of the trail with great views.
A level section of the trail with great views.
Inversion layer of clouds in the early morning make for stunning views.
Inversion layer of clouds in the early morning make for stunning views.
GPX with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
From the Fourth of July Trailhead, the Arapaho Pass Trail climbs the northern slope of the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Diamond Lake Trail intersects after 1.2 miles.
At 1.8 miles, Arapaho Pass Trail reaches the Fourth of July Mine and the Arapaho Glacier Trail intersects. The Arapaho Pass Trail continues west on an old road 1.2 miles farther to Arapaho Pass.
The Arapaho Pass Trail continues north (right) from Arapaho Pass and drops 750 feet down a series of switchbacks to Caribou Lake. From here, Arapaho Pass Trail continues nine miles to Monarch Lake.
Trailhead Directions