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Earn stunning views of Mt. Neva and Dorothy Lake on this seldom used trail.


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4.2

Miles

6.8

KM

75%

Runnable

12,068' 3,678 m

High

10,091' 3,076 m

Low

1,978' 603 m

Up

158' 48 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Permits are required for overnight stays in the Indian Peak Wilderness (IPW) from June 1 to September 15.

Parking in the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) at Monarch Lake or Meadow Creek and Junco Lake TH requires a daily use fee. $5 daily fee. Annual passes available.

Description

Starting from the Junco Lake trailhead, this trail begins as an old jeep road now closed to motorized vehicles. After a mile, the road forks and the right-hand fork leads to several tumbled down log cabins beside Meadow Creek.

Following the left fork, the road will skirt the northern edge of a long open meadow through which Meadow Creek flows. Here the trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The trail continues to a junction. The right fork goes to Columbine Lake and Mt. Neva on Columbine Lake Trail. The left fork goes on a narrow footpath to Caribou Pass. Rock cairns mark the trail, even though it is well defined.

From Caribou Pass you can continue on to Arapaho Pass (elevation 11,906) and from there continue down to Monarch Lake, or return to Junco Lake trailhead.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 9 votes

#453

Overall
  4.9 from 9 votes
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Trail Rankings

#90

in Colorado

#453

Overall
3 Views Last Month
5,936 Since May 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Early Fall on Lake Dorothy, which sits between and above Arapahoe and Caribou Passes (Junco Lake Loop)
Sep 19, 2025 near Fraser, CO
View to Northeast from Caribou Pass after ascent from Junco Lake Trailhead
Aug 14, 2019 near Fraser, CO
Trail along lower meadow as you enter Indian Peaks Wilderness
Oct 11, 2018 near Fraser, CO
Valley view as you approach the fork with the Caribou Trail.  Note old abandoned trail.
Oct 11, 2018 near Fraser, CO
Early Fall on Lake Dorothy, which sits between and above Arapahoe and Caribou Passes (Junco Lake Loop).
Sep 19, 2025 near Fraser, CO
Lake Dorothy is a lovely detour from the Caribou Pass Trail, just before it meets the Arapahoe Pass Trail.
Jul 4, 2017 near Fraser, CO

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Check-Ins

Sep 13, 2020
Lee Cordova
Many downed trees from September 2020 storm. Able to navigate around but took extra time.
May 15, 2017
Tristin Johnson
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