Parika Lake - 11.2 Miles Round-Trip

Parika Lake (11,360') is located 5.6 miles from Bowen-Baker Trailhead in the Never Summer Wilderness. This small but scenic lake is ringed by alpine meadows and terraces under Parika Peak (12,394') and Fairview Mt (12,246') just east of the Divide.

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The Baker Gulch Trail runs 4.35 miles to the Baker Pass - Parika Lake split, where the Parika Lake Trail veers west and steepens through treeline to the open basin.

The trail continues over the lake to a saddle between Parika and Fairview and joins the CDT, which can be taken south to Bowen Lake and back to Bowen Baker Trailhead for a ~20 mile loop across the Never Summer.

Note: The trail begins in Rocky Mountain National Park and entrance fees apply. No fee or permit is required to camp in the Never Summer Wilderness. Dogs are not permitted in RMNP, but it's generally accepted that those heading into the NSW can walk the short distance with their leashed pets across the Park - Wilderness boundary.

A service road heads west from Bowen-Baker Trailhead across Kawuneeche Valley to the Bowen Gulch - Baker Gulch split (.3 miles); turn right on Baker Gulch to the Never Summer Wilderness Boundary (.7 miles). Dispersed camping is permitted beyond this point and you'll find several good sites along the creek.

The trail moves quickly through a beetle-marred forest with many small, verdant glades (1.5 miles : 9,240'). Grades steepen briefly through 2.45 miles, then ease across open talus with upper valley views (2.9 miles : 9,790').

It re-enters the forest and makes a short, steep push up the north valley wall into the lower subalpine (3.5 miles : 10,160'). Travel steepens again to Grand Ditch Road (3.8 miles : 10,310'); turn left then immediately right over a log bridge to regain the trail (3.82 miles). This bridge has some flex to it - backpackers should cross one at a time.

The trail rises steadily through an open subalpine forest with large meadows and crosses a creek to the Parika Lake - Baker Pass Trail split (4.35 miles : 10,470').

The Parika Lake Trail splits left across an avalanche-swept area and can be difficult to follow for a short distance. Pick through debris and cross a creek to regain the trail.

It steepens in a thinning forest to a grassy bench and the perimeter of a large pond (5.1 miles : 11,025'), a good place to find flowers, wildlife and places to camp.

A final steep push twists through treeline and moderates along the outlet to Parika Lake (5.6 miles : 11,360'). Though relatively small, open, gentle terrain rings the lake with ample room for crowds and campers to disperse.

Look for goats and sheep on the slopes and ridges above. Views back east into Rocky Mountain National Park are exceptional, especially with afternoon light.

Extend travel by continuing over the lake to the saddle between Fairview and Parika, from which you can summit either peak or drop down the west side of the Divide and join the CDT.

Another great option for extended travel follows the unmarked Baker Pass Trail on a sparingly marked alpine traverse to Baker Pass.

This trail / route splits off the Parika Lake Trail just .2 miles before reaching the lake, and is (currently) only marked by a large anonymous cairn (GPS Point #17). From Baker Pass you can return via the Baker Gulch Trail to the Parika Lake - Baker Pass Trail split to form a 14.9 lollipop loop (described here | see map route).

The Baker Pass Trail is scheduled for 2017 - 2018 maintenance, which should help clarify the route. Only experienced hikers should attempt the route in its current state. Contact the Sulphur Ranger District for status (970.887.4100).

The Afield Rocky Mountain app gives on-the-trail information on plants, geology, turn-by-turn-directions, and more. Install it for your next hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.