Pawnee Pass
This hike reaches into the heart of a wilderness known for its lakes, glaciers and ruggedly beautiful peaks. Pawnee Pass lies in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and forms part of the Continental Divide. The excellent trail is very popular and passes beside two beautiful lakes, Long Lake and Lake Isabelle, amongst abundant flowing water and lush sub-alpine vegetation. The ruggedly beautiful peaks in this area, graced with still-active, yet small glaciers, honor the Indian tribes that inhabited the Great Plains to the east, as first suggested by Ellsworth Bethel of the Colorado Mountain Club in the early 1920s. Thus you have Pawnee, Shoshoni, Apache, Navajo, among others, as well as Niwot and Neva which refer to local chiefs. The Indian Peaks Wilderness, established in 1978, is one of the most heavily used in the country. A day-use fee is charged for trailheads around Brainard Lake.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Pawnee Pass
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Nederland |
| Length | 8.4 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,601 ft |
| Skill Level | Moderate |
| Duration | 136 minutes up, 122 minutes down |
| Season | Late June to early October |
| Trailhead Elevation | 10,520 ft |
| Top Elevation | 12,541 ft |
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