The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Parika Lake

Parika Lake is an isolated lake in the Never Summer Wilderness near Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake is accessible from a trail starting at the Bowen- Baker Trailhead along Trail Ridge Road. This pleasant hike is more popular with backcountry campers, and is normally not as crowded with day hikers.

Distance: 5.1 miles one-way Lake elevation: 11,360 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,864 feet Net elevation gain: 2,496 feet Bowen/Baker Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park and Never Summer Wilderness

Parika Lake and Farview Mountain

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 Parika Lake Baker Pass (5.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Baker Gulch Trail

Backcountry Campsites Near Parika Lake 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 left (west) and continue on toward Parika Lake. The trail grade becomes increasingly steep as it approaches timberline and the lake.

Sample photographs of the hike to Parika Lake

Baker Gulch/Parika Lake Trail Junction

Stream just east of Parika Lake

Parika Peak and Parika Lake

Parika Lake, looking toward Bowen Mountain

Parika Lake 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.