The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Baker Pass

The trail to Baker Pass leads to a remote area in the Never Summer Mountains. This area is less used by day hikers, but is fairly popular with backpackers, particularly along the Parika Lake Trail. The trail to Baker Pass leaves the Parika Lake Trail, heads through alpine meadows, and above timberline to the pass.

Distance: 5.8 miles one-way Pass elevation: 11,253 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,864 feet Net elevation gain: 2,389 feet Bowen/Baker Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park and Never Summer Wilderness

Bowen Mountain from Baker Pass

Major Trail Landmarks Junction of Bowen Gulch and Baker Gulch Trails (0.5 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction of Parika Lake and Baker Gulch Trails (3.7 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Baker Pass Parika Lake (5.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Baker Gulch and Parika Lake Trails

Backcountry Campsites Near Baker Pass Camping in this area is regulated by the USDA Forest Service, which does not use designated campsites in the same way as Rocky Mountain National Park. Camping information is available by calling 970-887-4100.

The Bowen/Baker Trailhead is on the west side of the Continental Divide between Grand Lake and Milner Pass. Follow Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) either 6.7 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center or 10.6 miles south of Milner Pass. The trailhead parking area is on the west side of the highway. Even though almost all of the trail system accessed from this trailhead is National Forest land, the parking lot is in Rocky Mountain National Park, and vehicles parked here are subject to overnight parking restrictions. From the trailhead, hike west using the gravel road across the Kawuneeche Valley. At the west end of the valley, the road splits; follow the marked trail toward Baker Gulch. This trail soon reaches a gate, and beyond this point, the trail ascends Baker Gulch. Follow the trail west to the marked junction of the Parika Lake and Baker Gulch trails. At the junction, head right (north) and continue to Baker Pass on the Continental Divide. This last part of the trail is unmaintained and may disappear in marshy areas, but is marked with cairns near the pass.

Sample photographs of the hike to Baker Pass

Baker Pass Trail near timberline

Looking south across Baker Gulch

Bowen Mountain and Baker Gulch

Mount Cindy from Baker Pass

Baker Pass topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.