Hiking Project Logo

Enjoy a wonderful alpine hike.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

20.0

Miles

32.2

KM

Lollipop

11,964' 3,647 m

High

9,347' 2,849 m

Low

3,612' 1,101 m

Up

3,611' 1,101 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Wilderness area rules apply.

Overview

This hike takes you through the alpine, and in the summer there are lots of wildflowers blanketing the tundra and majestic mountain views. The trail is faded in areas so watch for cairns. I have done this in November, and the snow cover adds a beauty and challenge that is worth the effort.

Need to Know

Much of this trail is in the alpine, and so one is exposed to weather. Be careful.

Description

Beaver Creek is a well-marked trail, with many old blaze markings that passes by Hourglass and Comanche Reservoirs. While it climbs to alpine is 7 miles, the climb is gradual and enjoyable!

The Flowers Trail (#939) to Mirror Lake Trail is straight forward taking one through lots of alpine and forest cover and past lots of flowers. At the junction of Mirror Lake Trail and Brackenbury Cabin Trail, the sign is missing; turn right. Just after Willow Creek, the trail dumps into the thick forest and is hard to follow. I lost the trail and ended up bushwhacking back up to the alpine where I rejoined the trail. Watch for the rock cairns and take time for the alpine views.

Maps say the Mirror Lake Trail is undefined; however, seems like there are a number of cairns taking one that way. I stayed to the left and followed the Hourglass Trail. It's rocky tundra hiking, and as the trail starts to drop, it gets more rocky and at times a little hard to follow as it crosses through underbrush and trees.

Just below tree-line watch the trail—it will fork and veer right. I took a left and ended up in what looked like a hunting camp, wandered around a bit and decided to head back uphill to that fork and take the other direction—the correct direction toward Comanche Reservoir. The trail from there is rocky with roots but easy to follow back to the trailhead.

Contacts

Shared By:

Willard H

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#3000

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#442

in Colorado

#3,000

Overall
9 Views Last Month
2,814 Since Aug 1, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
50%
50%
0%
0%

Photos

Ascending from the Hourglass Trail toward Comanche Peak (November)
Aug 16, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
Hourglass Trail heading toward Comanche Peak in November
Aug 16, 2018 near Red Fea…, CO
Blanket of wild flowers
Jul 23, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
Flowers and views of mountain peaks to the west
Jul 23, 2018 near Estes Park, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 67 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.