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Shelf Lake Trail #634

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (10)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Guanella Pass
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“A great hike with great views. ”

Randy Antelo
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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.9

KM

Point to Point

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.

Description

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

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

  4.8 from 10 votes

#2

in Guanella Pass

#418

Overall
  4.8 from 10 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Guanella Pass

#85

in Colorado

#418

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6,801 Since Jul 21, 2018
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Photos

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
Wildflowers on the final ascent to Shelf Lake
Aug 4, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Made it to the destination
Aug 6, 2018 near Keystone, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 6, 2020
Arlene Tamariz
Oct 3, 2020
Jesse Barr
Aug 26, 2020
Felicia Asmussen
3.6mi — 2h 20m
Aug 15, 2020
Shana Robertson
Jul 31, 2020
Meg Medina
Jul 18, 2020
Paige Burton
Out and back trail that was more like 9 miles. Beautiful wildflowers, beautiful view down Guenella Pass, and a cherry on top was Shelf Lake. 9mi
Jul 5, 2020
Gosia Majerczyk
Jun 27, 2020
R Lee

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