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Shelf Lake Trail #634

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (14)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Guanella Pass
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“A great run with great views. ”

Randy Antelo
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3.6

Miles

5.9

KM

76%

Runnable

11,990' 3,654 m

High

10,080' 3,072 m

Low

1,939' 591 m

Up

29' 9 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Need to Know

The road is a bit rough to the the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. A smaller sedan made it, but I wouldn't recommend it. There is a final creek crossing around 2 miles that can be difficult or washed out when the water is high in early summer.

Runner Notes

Watch your footing in multiple locations. Baby heads and cankle makers galore.

Description

A nice trail with lots of shade before the tree line. This is an out-and-back run.

Flora & Fauna

Once you get past the tree line, the meadows are covered in flowers.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District

Shared By:

Randy Antelo with improvements by Ralph Bradt and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 14 votes

#2

in Guanella Pass

#369

Overall
  4.7 from 14 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Guanella Pass

#77

in Colorado

#369

Overall
6 Views Last Month
6,801 Since Jul 21, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
21%
43%
36%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Looking down valley from Shelf Lake. Beautiful flowers.
Jun 8, 2023 near Keystone, CO
Wildflowers on the final ascent to Shelf Lake
Aug 4, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Square Top Mtn looms over the north side of the valley on the way up to Shelf Lake.
Aug 4, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Shelf Lake 2019. The blue tint to the lake this year is very pronounced!
Aug 5, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Made it to the destination
Aug 6, 2018 near Keystone, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Aug 31, 2025
Jordan G
Pretty above treeline. I mostly hiked; fairly steep and rocky-not very runable 7.8mi

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