Niwot Ridge Trail - IPW

It was one of the smallest HCH (High Country Hiker) groups of the year, for a hike that in terms of scenery was better than some this year.  In terms of difficulty, it was not.  For the nine who did make it, including two first-timers, it was a wonderful day.

Mid-morning, hikers are steppin' out and up.

So really, what part of Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) is nothing short of just plain incredible back country.  Every time I go thru the mountain town of Nederland, It feels like the pace of life drops a few notches.  Again, when Ed turns on to Brainard Lake Road, we are in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.  From here virtually all signs of civilization are behind us.

The Niwot Cutoff Trail heads west from the TH for .6 mi. to Long Lake.  A section of wood plank walkways leads to the Jean Lunning Trail for a short distance to the junction with Niwot Ridge Trail.

First time hiker, Marian, is followed by Al and Nancy.

Elevation gain begins immediately to Niwot Ridge at 11,000'el.  Sections of loose rock force hikers to pay attention to placement of every footstep.  As we approach the rifge, views of Long Lake are exceptional.

All Nancy can say is WOW!...WOW!...WOW!

The peaks that make the area on of the premier hiking venues close to Denver, are in clear sight to the west including: South and North Arapaho (13,xxx'), with the Arapaho Glacier tucked between them;Arikaree (13,150'); Navajo (13,499'); Apache (13,41'); and Shoshoni (12,967').  Iabelle Glacier is the prominent feature between Apache and Shoshoni peaks.

A quick break close to the top.

Pawnee Pass and peak (12,943'), by the same name plus Little Pawnee Peak (12,466') stand tall in a line - all of them can be crossed via the Continental Divide Trail.  Continuing around the eastern edge of NIwot Ridge, Left Hand Park cannot be missed.  To the right is Niwot Mountain (11,471').

Trail passes a structure used by personnel

At the junction with NIwot Ridge Trail, we continue past an environmental observation station and on to an obercation building at approx. 11,600'.

Note: Niwot Ridge has been designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve for artic and alpine research.  Wlinds of up to 160 mph - strongest recorded in North America. 


The biosphere reserve is administered cooperatively by the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Colorado for experimental and long-term studies of alpine tundra.

It is one of the National Science Foundations long-term ecological research sites, and has been used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for atmospheric trace gas sampling since 1968.
 
In winter, snow shoers and Xcountry skiers can be found enjoying the Niwot Ridge Trail.

Al tries to get comfy among the many partially exposed rocks.

Trail physically ends at approximately 12,150' el.  The top of Niwot is just over 12,280' el.  We stopped for lunch at approx. 11,250' el.

Red Dahlia,

White Dahlia.

Areas of dense Krumholtz dot the landscape up here and not much else.  A few small rock outcroppings were all the protection we had for lunch.  





Total miles = 5.7

Total elevation gain = 1,000'



Trailhead elevation = 10,500'

Ridge top elevation = 11,557'