Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Lion Gulch

7.2 mi
round trip
1,181 ft
climb
8,545 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Lion Gulch open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lion Gulch is a hard hike in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 7.2 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,181 feet, and it is an out-and-back that starts at a low point of about 7,288 feet and climbs to a high of about 8,545 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Allenspark, at a similar elevation, show July highs around 74°F with lows near 44°F, while winter highs stay around freezing. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. Several other destinations sit within a few miles, including the Irvin Loop and Irvin Homestead mountain biking trails, the Double Trouble Boulder climbing area, and North Saint Vrain Creek for paddling.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Cabin Loop

    Campground

    Campground · 3.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Hunter's Chop House

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 6 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Matt Golon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Lion Gulch

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      32° / 14°

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

    5. May

      56° / 32°

    6. Jun

      69° / 38°

    7. Jul

      74° / 44°

    8. Aug

      73° / 43°

    9. Sep

      66° / 36°

    10. Oct

      52° / 29°

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Allenspark 3nw, CO, 8.4 mi away at 8,500 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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