This road becomes FR 701.1. The views of the Continental Divide are tremendous and the Loch itself is spectacular. Ice Lake and Loch Lomond below were incredibly scenic and … Too late in the season for many wildflowers. Definitely recommend! Note: As of November 2020, the upper and lower gates are both closed for the season. From the James Peak summit, head down the south ridge. There are also some low willows and other low-growing evergreens to avoid at times. Our fund raising campaign has come to a close. ... As you ascend the trail you'll come into view of Loch Lomond, Ice Lake, Mt. There is copious amounts of “No Parking” signs all up and down the road. The James Peak Wilderness offers some amazing views and great opportunities for backpacking. The Loch Lomond route to James Peak is a fairly steep ascent to the summit of a very prominent Continental Divide 13'er. There is a lower and upper gate on this road that are seasonally locked. Accessing this route requires high clearance 4WD. Wild flowers, tiny waterfall, mixed terrain, it’s a great trail. Boydie Voted on Oct 16, 2007 12:22 pm Vote: 10/10. We've done this hike before and it was amazing. Trail Length: 9.52 miles (roundtrip) Trailhead Elevation: 10,373’ James Peak Summit: 13,152’ Elevation Gain: +2,909’ Trailhead Location: From I-70, exit #238 for St Mary’s – Alice – Fall River Road.From the exit ramp, turn north on CR 275 and drive 9.2 miles to the St Mary’s Glacier Trailhead on the left (west) side of the road. To the north you could see Lake Granby, Longs Peak, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Er führt entlang eines Sees und Posts about James Peak written by linhartb. Before you reach the summit of James Peak you will pass two false summits. Mount Bancroft (left) and James Peak (right). James Peak is a popular summer hike with several route possibilities. James Peak via Saint Mary's Glacier RECOMMENDED ROUTE. Continue north into Alice and turn left onto Alice Road. After a few intersections at 1.1 miles, then turn right onto Steuart Road, NFSR 701. James Peak via Loch Lomond [GESCHLOSSEN] ist ein 9.3 Meilen langer, moderat besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Idaho Springs, Colorado. Loch Lomond is another great option to explore in this area. Fantastic mountain range views and great wildflowers in the basin while making the approach to James Peak. The three we suggest here are all Class 2, with our primary route offering some Class 2+ work on the descent. Mostly comfortably passable with a 4Runner. Walked to James Peak summit, down another trail north for ~1 mi, back to the peak and then home. James Peak via Saint Mary's Glacier RECOMMENDED ROUTE. The three we suggest here are all Class 2, with our primary route offering some Class 2+ work on the descent. There are two ways to get to Bill Moore Lake, many people drive their OHVs along a series of forest service roads, however, the more scenic way to reach the lake is via the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This trail goes by Stewart Lake Dam. Send PM about this vote. Some gusts of wind but there are wind blocks at the top which are nice to hunker behind to take photos or eat a snack. James Peak is a popular summer hike with several route possibilities. Accessing this route requires high clearance 4WD. Camping and Backpacking Information Before setting out , it's highly recommended that you contact the Clear Creek Ranger District (303.567.3000) for the latest trail conditions and access restrictions. You’ll come across a wooden sign on a tree pointing to Loch Lomond and James Peak. Access all the way to the Loch according to the Arapaho NF site is generally closed from mid-October to mid- July. The rivers were flowing very nicely. Follow Fall River Road for about 8.4 miles and turn left onto Alice Road. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from July until September. Stroll along the romantic shores of this breathtaking stretch of water immortalised in the classic song The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. On the way down from the peak, more people began to appear, but this is a relatively lightly trafficked 13er. Rate this Adventure 4.6 miles 948 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. From I-70 westbound, take the Fall River Road exit #238 towards St. Mary’s/Alice Road. This trail follows a 4x4 trail to Loch Lomond, then connects to the main James Peak Trail. Loch Lomond (access from town of Alice) The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follows this road before entering the James Peak Wilderness Area You must ferry off-road vehicles to trail. The three we suggest here are all Class 2, with our primary route offering some Class 2+ work on the descent. As you drop to each successive lake, there will be waterfalls and cascades. Peak Summary. Decline wasn’t too bad, rocky, but at least it wasn’t lose gravel. That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. drove the road to Loch Lomond to start from there (kids wouldn’t of made it all the way otherwise). There will be a wooden sign on a tree pointing to Loch Lomen (wrong spelling) and James Peak. Heard and saw a couple Pikas. We would say the main advantage of this route is the visit to the upper lakes above the Loch. From I-70, west of Idaho Springs, take exit 238 for the Fall River Road/CR 275. When we lived on the Front Range, this was probably our favorite hiking location. Flora, Bancroft, Perry, and Eva, as well as Mt. Accessing this route requires high clearance 4WD. Hardly any shade so be prepared to be exposed. Bill Moore Lake is a beautiful alpine lake nestled against the high peaks of the Continental Divide on the eastern edge of the James Peak Wilderness Area. From the trailhead, there is a moderate incline until you come out above the glacier. The summit offers some enticing views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and some of the summits farther north in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a 1 mile from the parking area to James Peak lake on the trail to the west, Trail 804 I think. Accessing this route requires high clearance 4WD. Be sure you have some kind of camera. Flora. James Peak via Continental Divide Trail. We have done the best we can to update our information, but you would do well to check on other sites. It's all part of the route-finding fun. Maneuver about for a revealing look down the Loch Lomond and Mammoth Gulch drainages, and over the vast tundra flat through which you traveled to reach the base of James Peak. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. Just be sure you've driven far enough back to be away from any private property concerns. Viewing: 1-3 of 3. Elevation gain was steady and easy up to the lake, from the lake it’s a climb! That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. Loch Lomond is a wonderful destination and well worth the 2.5 mile hike up the Jeep road. The previous reviews don’t make it out to be much, but if you can get past the idea of walking on a road for 2 miles to the lake the rest is just gorgeous. The first third of a mile goes easily on mostly tundra, then the ridge begins to drop more seriously where you will begin to encounter more rocky sections that will require some maneuvering around to find the best way through, especially as you near the James-Bancroft saddle. The coordinates for the summit are N39 51.122, W105 41.437. On the way back to Loch Lomond on Steuart Road you can find some dispersed, primitive campsites. After about three and half hours of hiking with stops we made it to the top! I started at 7:30, reached the summit at 9:45, and got back to the car just after noon. This is a moderate one way trail to Loch Lomond Dam in Arapaho National Forest. Arrived 7AM, not at all busy on the way up, and only moderate traffic coming up when I was on the way down. Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful. The views of the Continental Divide are tremendous and the Loch itself is spectacular. Loch Lomond is another great option to explore in this area. For updates, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28484 Once at the peak, it provides a great 360-degree view of the Front Range mountains. Assuming you've arrived at Loch Lomond without losing your oil pan or damaging your vehicle too much, walk to the north end of the dam and locate a trail that heads uphill in a northward direction. In person this scene was really much better than this photo (...you really had to be there). Nice 13er. Peak-to-Peak Mileage Chart; 13ers; 360° Summit Panoramas; Map; Export Peak Names to File; Routes. 11,704, Kingston Peak, and Fox Mountain." As you head up the east face of James peak you will see Loch Lomond, Reynolds Lake, Stuart Lake, Ohman Lake, and Ice Lake. View of James Peak with Loch Lomond at its base. James Peak is a popular summer hike with several route possibilities. This paved county road 275 ends in the vicinity of a mountain village called "Alice," mostly a collection of summer cabins, etc. Accessing this route requires high clearance 4WD. 11,704, Kingston Peak, and Fox Mountain." Its not an easy hike by any means - once you get past the lower lake it crams 2,200 ft of elevation gain into just a couple of miles. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from July until September. ... Steuart Lake and Loch Lomond. I had no issues parking on the side of Alice road. At Ice Lake, hiking around either the north or south side of the lake is not easy due to boulder talus, talus and rubble. James Peak is a popular summer hike with several route possibilities. Along the way, you pass through dense forest, creeks, meadows and wildflowers. I ultimately started from St. Mary’s and it was a really great hike. Eva and Mt. ... As you ascend the trail you'll come into view of Loch Lomond, Ice Lake, Mt. — WaxDr • Jul 30, 2016 "Jeeped into Loch Lomond the day before and set up camp. Flora, Bancroft, Perry, and Eva, as well as Mt. To the north you could see Lake Granby, Longs Peak, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Parking on Alice Rd seemed like a bad idea. The James Peak Wilderness offers some amazing views and great opportunities for backpacking. That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. This trail goes by Stewart Lake Dam. Left car a little after 6:30; there were very few people at the Loch. Send PM about this vote. Soon, the Continental Divide Trail will come in from the right. James Peak via Loch Lomond So it's not quite 14,000 feet. Ce sentier suit un sentier 4x4 jusqu'au Loch Lomond, puis se connecte au sentier principal de James Peak. 5 miles RT with 1,000 Feet elevation gain. A final push over two false summits levels on the large summit of James Peak (4.15 miles : 12,295'). James Peak is a popular summer hike with several route possibilities. Sun, Jan 27, 2019, 9:30 AM: Let's head up a little past Idaho Springs and snowshoe hike Loch Lomond.Approx. Reasonably steep ascents, but no scrambling. James Peak Lake & Little Echo Lake. This is the same road that leads up to the well-known St. Mary's Lake and Glacier. We chose the south side and had to cross some significant boulder talus areas. Believe me, you will earn this summit. « PREV NEXT ... James Peak via Continental Divide Trail(Album) « PREV: Viewing #4 of 41 GALLERY. At Ohman and Stewart Lakes, you should be able to locate a good trail which can then be followed back down to Loch Lomond, ending on the SSE corner of the reservoir. Solid incline. 4 reviews | | EASY #94 hike out of 195 in Arapaho National Forest | EASY. According to one site that rates 4WD roads, FR 701.1 is "suitable for stock, high-clearance 4WD sport utility vehicles. Stay on Alice road, past a few intersections, and at 1.1 miles, look to the right for the rocky Forest Service Road 7011. That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. 4x4s can park at Loch Lomond, shortening the trip. The other two suggestions can be accessed by passenger car. take your time on this descent. The coordinates for the summit are N39 51.122, W105 41.437. Breckinridge Peak and Mount Flora via North Empire Creek, Red Elephant Hill to Empire Loop [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Rogers Pass Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail, James Peak North East Ridge via Little Echo Lake, Arapaho Lakes via Rogers Pass Trail and Forest Lakes Trail, Continental Divide: Loch Lomond to Berthoud Pass, Kingston Spur East via St. Mary's Glacier [CLOSED], https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28484. James Peak via Loch Lomond is a 9.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Because of our suggested descent, even though the overall mileage and elevation gain are on the low side, we would recommend this route mostly for younger teenagers and older who have some proven ability on Class 2+ terrain. FS 2016 map shows routes for James Peak, Parry peak, Mt. For those that have done the Loch Lomond hike / drive before, this is an awesome hike to experience the lakes and peaks there from a new perspective. Loch Lomond was pretty from above, but the road to it means ATVs and cars with access made it a shitshow. The final drop to the saddle will be the most difficult part of this descent, along with the 400 ft. trip down the slope to Ice Lake. That descent takes you by the upper lakes in the Loch Lomond chain of lakes. NO HOA/POA! For a while, it hangs close to the south edge of the broad east ridge of James, offering views back down into the Loch and of the other higher lakes. Drive approximately 8.4 miles and turn left onto Alice Road. The three we suggest here are all Class 2, with our primary route offering some Class 2+ work on the descent. This will take you back  west and SW  for a short distance. « PREV NEXT ... James Peak via Continental Divide Trail(Album) « PREV: Viewing #4 of 41 GALLERY. Peak Summary. Posts about James Peak written by linhartb. The three we suggest here are all Class 2, with our primary route offering some Class 2+ work on the descent. Buyer will need to drill a well and install septic for utilities if want to build a house/cabin. Please note that our ascent of James Peak was our first 13er, and even pre-dated our completion of all the 14ers. The flats leading west to James Peak. Along the way, you pass through dense forest, creeks, meadows and wildflowers. As you begin the drop from Ice Lake to Ohman Lake, roughly follow the drainage. Looks close, doesn't it? The upper lakes were seldom visited and had a nice wilderness feeling even though you were under 2 hours from the bustling metropolises. there are 2 lakes at James Peak. The trail will cut through some willows, cross some rocky rubble and then continue north through some more willows before breaking out onto tundra/grass terrain. Within 18 miles to I-70, close to shopping, dining in Idaho Springs. The trail from the tundra basin heads up parallel with the ridge and cuts north just before mile 4. Less than 30 mins to Continental Divide Trail, Loch Lomond Lake and James Peak. Turn right onto Steuart Raod. Length 9.3 mi Elevation gain 3,011 ft Route type Out & Back — WaxDr • Jul 30, 2016 "Jeeped into Loch Lomond the day before and set up camp. desainme Voted on Oct 21, 2007 8:24 pm Vote: 10/10. Hiked 9/14. Added by ... James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. Send PM about this vote. Directions to Loch Lomond. Our combined memories recall that the drive back to the Loch was slow enough to make you reconsider if the drive was worth the effort versus hiking by another route. Visitor information for Loch Lomond, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs & The Forth Valley including accommodation, things to do, attractions, events and food & drink. The other two suggestions can be accessed by passenger car. This is a easy one way trail to Loch Lomond Dam in Arapaho National Forest. Loch Lomond and Upper Lakes [CLOSED] is a 2.2 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. United States › Colorado › Arapaho National Forest › Loch Lomond Dam via Steuart Road. Thanks to all who have contributed for their support! This is a moderate one way trail to Loch Lomond Dam in Arapaho National Forest. I saw fewer than ten people climbing James Peak, but there were a whole lotta vehicles parked all along the road to Loch Lomond. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/james-peak-trail This is it! The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and fishing. City power is on the road. 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