Beartrack Lakes, Camp Rock Trailhead, Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Colorado
Beartrack Lakes - 10.8 miles
Camp Rock Trailhead
| Round-Trip Length: | 10.8 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 9,010' - 11,163' (11,172' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | +2,153' net elevation gain (+2,593' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Moderate |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | Yes |
| Related Trails: |
Beartrack Lakes - 10.8 Miles Round-Trip
Beartrack Lake (11,163') is located 5.4 miles from Camp Rock Trailhead in the Mt Evans Wilderness. It lies in a wide, wooded basin framed by a 13,500' ridge between Epaulet Mountain (13,523') and Rosalie Peak (13,575').
The Beartrack Lakes Trail passes through the Beartracks burn, contrastingly intact forests and across a blowdown area to the main lake.
Challenging unimproved travel continues to a trio of smaller lakes at and over treeline. Only experienced hikers with good navigation skills should attempt reaching the uppermost lake.
Visitors will enjoy diverse forest environments and good lake-side camping options at Beartrack Lake.
See important trailhead closure dates below:
The Beartrack Lakes Trail begins on the east of the Camp Rock Campground. Be sure to complete the required sign-in and free permit before setting out.
The trail drops to a fork (.15 miles), turns right and crosses Bear Creek (.48 miles) into the Mt Evans Wilderness (1.15 miles : 9,420') and 485-acre Beartracks burn area.
Ostensibly barren and skeletal, the burn area is in a natural state of recovery and quite alive with grasses, flowers, berry-bearing shrubs and young aspen stands. This culled area provides unique insight to nutrient cycling, fire ecology and ecological succession.
The trail steepens through denser aspen to a crest (2.05 miles : 9,970') where it dips and moderates into a contrastingly intact spruce-fir forest. It rises steadily on mild - moderate grades to the first of two Cub Creek Trail splits (3.95 miles : 10,720').
Turn right to the 2nd Cub Creek Trail split (4.2 miles : 10,820') and go left. The Beartrack Lakes Trail undulates mildly through the 2011-2012 blowdown with good views across the Mt Evans massif to the Roosevelt Lake Trail split (4.95 miles : 11,105').
The RLT splits left, and the unlabeled right fork continues through partially opened forests to Beartrack Lake (5.4 miles : 11,163'). This final approach loses definition in some places; pay close attention and look for cut logs to stay on course.
The south valley wall and thick willow limit exploration, but the outlet area offers a great look across the basin and the north shore has plenty of room with ideal camping terrain. Unimproved travel continues to the upper lakes.
The uppermost lake (11,950') is located approximately 1.05 miles on a straight line from the outlet and requires considerable effort to reach.
Important Trail Closure Note:
The Beartrack Lakes Trail begins within the Mt Evans State Wildlife Area. Public access is prohibited from the day after Labor Day to June 14 the following year, except for hunting permit holders during the regular deer and elk rifle season.
Call 303.291.7227 or visit CPW - Mount Evans SWA for access, closure, permit and use information.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N39 36.815 W105 32.051 — 0.0 miles : Camp Rock Trailhead
- N39 36.706 W105 32.004 — .15 miles : Road-trail forks - go right
- N39 36.533 W105 32.247 — .48 miles : Cross creek on bridge
- N39 36.227 W105 32.636 — 1.14 miles : Mt Evans Wilderness Boundary
- N39 36.107 W105 32.882 — 1.5 miles : Steady climb through burn area
- N39 36.033 W105 33.060 — 2.0 miles : reach crest, drop into healthy forest
- N39 35.857 W105 33.461 — 2.5 miles : Moderate climb thru intact forest
- N39 35.643 W105 33.876 — 3.0 miles : Mild-moderate climb in forest
- N39 35.347 W105 34.171 — 3.5 miles : Fast travel on flat ridge
- N39 35.111 W105 34.568 — 3.95 miles : Cub Creek split #1 - go right
- N39 35.104 W105 34.770 — 4.2 miles : Cub Creek split #2 - go left
- N39 34.826 W105 35.156 — 4.7 miles : Fast travel thru affected forest
- N39 34.670 W105 35.354 — 4.95 miles : Roosevelt Lakes Trail split
- N39 34.568 W105 35.704 — 5.4 miles : Beartrack Lake
Worth Noting
- The 1998 Beartracks Fire burned approximately 485 acres, and is believed to have been caused by humans. The 1964 Resthouse Meadow Fire, which burned 1076 acres, can be seen from high points on the trail. It's also believed to have been caused by humans.
- A major blowdown event affected approximately 400-600 acres of forest in the winter of 2011-2012 . The trail passes through this area - now cleared - on the final 1/2 mile+ leading to the lake.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted on the Beartrack Lakes Trail and within the Mt Evans Wilderness.
- Camp at least 100' away from any lake, stream, trail or road. Group size is limited to 15 individuals.
- Campfires are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping, with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions.
- Water is very limited on this trail before reaching Beartrack Lake.
- When hiking or camping in the Mt Evans Wilderness, one member of each party is required to register at a Mt Evans Wilderness boundary board and carry a copy of the registration with them during their visit. There is no registration fee.
Fishing Information
- Fishing is permitted in the Beartrack Lakes with a valid Colorado fishing license.
Rules and Regulations
- A hiker from each party must complete and carry with them a self-registration permit for travel within the Mt Evans Wilderness. There is no fee.
- Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in the Mt Evans Wilderness.
Directions to Trailhead
The Camp Rock Campground and Camp Rock Trailhead is located within the Mt Evans State Wildlife Area near Evergreen CO.
From Denver, take I-70 to Exit 252 / CO-74 (Evergreen Parkway). Travel 5.3 miles on CO-74 and turn right on Stagecoach Blvd. Drive 3.2 miles on Stagecoach Blvd to Greystone Rd. Turn left on Greystone and drive .9 miles to a sharp left turn onto Witter Gulch Rd.
Continue .5 miles and turn right on to Upper Bear Creek Rd. Remain on Bear Creek Road for 9.6 miles to the Camp Rock Campground. The final 7.7 miles of Bear Creek Road are dirt. After 1.7 miles on the dirt road, veer left at a sparingly marked for the State Wildlife Area.
The dirt portion of Upper Bear Creek Road is improved but high clearance is strongly advised. The road is narrow, hilly and winding - drive cautiously and watch for wildlife.
The Beartrack Lakes Trailhead is located on the east end of the parking lot (the Cub Creek Trailhead is on the opposite end - make sure you begin on the correct trail).
Contact Information
Clear Creek Ranger District
101 Chicago Creek Road
P.O. Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303.567.3000
South Platte Ranger District
19316 Goddard Ranch Court
Morrison, CO 80465
303.275.5610 (phone)
303.275.5642 (fax)
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm (excluding National Holidays)
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