The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Meadow Mountain

The Saint Vrain Mountain Trail begins south of Allenspark, and leads through the Indian Peaks Wilderness to the southern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. A brief scramble north from this trail leads to the broad summit of Meadow Mountain, which provides a panoramic view of the southern peaks in the National Park.

Distance: 3.0 miles one-way Summit elevation: 11,632 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,800 feet Net elevation gain: 2,832 feet Saint Vrain Mountain Trailhead Roosevelt National Forest, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park

Meadow Mountain summit view

Major Trail Landmarks Rocky Mountain National Park boundary (2.8 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Meadow Mountain Saint Vrain Mountain (4.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via St. Vrain Mtn. Trail to an unmaintained route

Backcountry Campsites Near Meadow Mountain Information on Indian Peaks Wilderness camping regulations, backcountry zones, and obtaining a permit is available through this link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/wilderness/indianpeaks/

The road to the Saint Vrain Mountain Trailhead begins in the town of Allenspark. From Highway 7 turn south on to Business Highway 7 in to Allenspark, and look for a gravel road named Ski Road. Follow Ski Road south out of town and in to public lands. About 2 miles from Highway 7, Ski Road splits; take the right-hand road at the split. From this point, drive 0.5 miles to the trailhead parking area where the road ends. There is room for about ten vehicles at this small parking area. This trail begins in Roosevelt National Forest, heads west in to the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and also passes briefly through Rocky Mountain National Park. Although leashed pets are welcome on most of this trail system, National Park restrictions still apply where the trail crosses in to the park south of Meadow Mountain. To reach Meadow Mountain, follow the Saint Vrain Mountain trail as it leads west toward a saddle south of Meadow Mountain. The path becomes rather steep in several areas. At the saddle, the maintained Saint Vrain Mountain Trail turns south. Leave the trail at the saddle and head north up the rocky tundra slopes to the summit of Meadow Mountain. There is no marked route to the summit, although posts of the National Park boundary mark the most direct route, since the boundary runs north from the saddle to the summit.

Leashed pets are welcome along this trail for all areas outside of the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary

Sample photographs of the hike to Meadow Mountain

National Park boundary along trail south of the summit

Approaching the summit from the south

Clouds on Longs Peak and Mount Meeker

Mount Alice from Meadow Mountain

Meadow Mountain topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. (NOTE: The thick red National Park boundary line on this map is now obsolete.) 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.